Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed? (Executive Overview)

Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in Stonington, ME, but they are tightly regulated under the Town’s Short‑Term Rental Registration Ordinance adopted March 6, 2023. All rentals—short‑term, seasonal, and year‑round—are subject to registration. Non‑owner‑occupied STRs face additional restrictions, including a 1,000‑foot separation requirement and an annual cap on the number that can be registered. Grandfathering is available for properties that can document continuous STR operation for at least one year prior to December 31, 2022, provided they registered by May 1, 2023.

Sources: Stonington Short‑Term Rental Registration Ordinance FAQ (2023); Stonington Short‑Term Rental Registration Application (2023)

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Stonington

Step 1: Determine Eligibility and Category

• Owner‑Occupied/Resident‑Owned STR (STR‑O): Owner resides on the property and/or the property is owned by a Stonington resident.
• Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR: Owner does not live on the property and is not a Stonington resident.
• Year‑Round Rental (YRR): Rented for 12 months or longer.

Important for Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs:

• Must maintain a 1,000‑foot separation from any other Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR.
• The number of Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs registrable in a single year is capped; obtain confirmation from the Town on current availability before proceeding.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

Step 2: Planning Board Conditional Use Approval (New or Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs)

• Complete a registration form and apply for Planning Board conditional use approval before operating a Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR.
• Grandfathered properties are exempt from Planning Board review but must still register and comply with operating standards.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents and Information

• Registration Application (completed annually).
• Notarized Primary Residence Affidavit (unless non‑owner‑occupied unit).
• Corporate Disclosure (if ownership is a partnership, corporation, LLC, or other business entity).
• Evidence of primary residence, where applicable.
• Payment of applicable registration fees.
• Proof of compliance with Life Safety Codes (e.g., 911 addressing, fire extinguishers).

Source: Stonington STR Registration Application (2023)

Step 4: Submit Application and Pay Fees

• Return completed application, documents, and fees to the Town Office (cash, check, or credit card accepted in person; checks payable to “Town of Stonington” for mail).
• Registration is due annually by January 1.

Source: Stonington STR Registration Application (2023)

Step 5: Undergo Inspections (as applicable)

• The Code Enforcement Officer may inspect Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs to confirm occupancy limits, registration, and life safety code compliance.
• Ensure proper 911 addressing and working fire extinguishers prior to operation.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

Step 6: Operate and Maintain Compliance

• Comply with operating standards (e.g., noise, parking, behavior) and respond promptly to complaints.
• Maintain current registration; note registrations and grandfathering are not transferable upon sale (except through family inheritance).
• Consider annual renewal timing to avoid lapses.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Registration Application

• Use the Town’s Short‑Term Rental Unit Registration Application.
• Required annually by January 1.

Ownership Documentation

• Individual Ownership: Provide owner name, mailing address, phone, and email.
• Corporate Ownership: Submit a completed Corporate Disclosure Sheet; must match Maine Secretary of State filings and be in good standing.

Authorized Agent

• Required if the property owner is a partnership, corporation, LLC, or other business entity.
• The authorized agent must be an individual who resides in Maine.

Property Manager and Emergency Contact

• Include manager details if different from owner.
• Provide an emergency contact who can respond to issues.

Affidavits and Evidence

• Notarized Primary Residence Affidavit (if claiming owner‑occupied/resident‑owned status).
• Evidence of primary residence (e.g., driver’s license, vehicle registration, homestead exemption, or other acceptable documents).

Compliance and Safety

• Life Safety Codes compliance, including proper 911 addressing and fire extinguishers.
• Compliance with occupancy limits and local operating standards.

Fees (by Unit Type and Number)

• Year‑Round Rental (YRR): $5.00 per unit (first unit, second unit, third unit; any additional—amount not specified).
• Owner‑Occupied/Resident‑Owned STR: $50.00 (first unit); fee for additional units not specified in source.
• Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR: $100.00 (first unit); $150.00 (second unit); $250.00 (third unit); $500.00 (any additional).
• Note: Fees for Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR beyond the third unit are elevated ($500+); fee structure for additional Owner‑Occupied units is not specified in the source—confirm with the Town.

Source: Stonington STR Registration Application (2023)

Planning Board Conditional Use

• Required for new or Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs; grandfathered STRs are exempt from conditional use review but must register and meet operating standards.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (Town, County, and State)

Town of Stonington Ordinances

• Registration Mandatory: All rentals—short‑term, seasonal, and year‑round—must be registered; the registration period opened April 6, 2023, and ended September 1, 2023.
• Grandfathering: Properties with documented STR use for at least one year prior to December 31, 2022, are grandfathered if registered by May 1, 2023.
• Categories:
  • STR‑O (Owner‑Occupied/Resident‑Owned).
  • STR (Non‑Owner‑Occupied).
  • YRR (Year‑Round Rental).
• Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR Limits:
  • Must be at least 1,000 feet from any other Non‑Owner‑Occupied STR.
  • Annual cap on the total number of Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs registrable; check current Town limits.
• Inspections: Code Enforcement Officer may inspect Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs to ensure occupancy, registration, and life safety compliance.
• Transfer Rules: Registrations and grandfathering are not transferable upon sale (except via family inheritance).
• Enforcement: Code Enforcement Officer enforces the ordinance; noise, parking, and behavior complaints may be routed to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

County (Hancock County)

• No county‑specific STR permits or licensing requirements identified in the provided sources.
• County Sheriff’s Department may receive complaints routed by the Town.

State of Maine

• Corporate Disclosure: If the property owner is a business entity, answers on the Corporate Disclosure must match filings with the Maine Secretary of State’s office and reflect good standing; confirm information by calling (207) 624‑7752.

Source: Stonington STR Registration Application (2023)

Enforcement and Penalties

• The Town’s Code Enforcement Officer enforces the STR ordinance.
• Penalties apply for prohibited activities and non‑compliance; detailed penalties are outlined in Article 13 and Article 8 of the ordinance.
• Violations can result in fines and potential enforcement actions.

Source: Stonington STR Ordinance FAQ (2023)

Contact Information (Local Authority)

• Town of Stonington, Permitting and Inspections Department
  • Address: 32 Main Street, P.O. Box 9, Stonington, ME 04681
  • Phone: (207) 367‑2351
  • Email: econdev@stoningtonmaine.org
  • Website: stoningtonmaine.org
• Code Enforcement Officer: Enforces STR regulations; contact the Town for specifics.
• Hancock County Sheriff’s Department: Receives noise/parking/behavior complaints routed by the Town (contact via county channels).
• Maine Secretary of State (Corporate filings verification): (207) 624‑7752

Source: Stonington STR Registration Application (2023)

Links to Source Pages

• Stonington Short‑Term Rental Registration Ordinance FAQ Sheet (2023): www.stoningtonmaine.org/docs/short-term-rentals-ordinance-faq-sheet-(003.pdf?1728414398
• Stonington Short‑Term Rental Registration Application (Fillable PDF): www.stoningtonmaine.org/_cmsupl/hme/stonington-short-term-rental-registration-fillable-final-(pdf.pdf?1683607263
• RedAwning Market Overview (secondary summary with STR rules and pricing benchmarks): www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/stonington-maine
• Facebook Group Post (ancillary, no additional local regulations identified): www.facebook.com/groups/283768702088129/posts/2191677341297246

Practical Notes for Investors

• Capacity Planning: Given the 1,000‑foot separation rule and the cap on Non‑Owner‑Occupied STRs, secure a location and confirm availability early.
• Operating Standards: Establish clear guest communication on noise, parking, and community behavior; consider including local guidelines in your house manual.
• Life Safety Readiness: Prior to listing, ensure 911 addressing is accurate and working fire extinguishers are installed.
• Annual Renewal: Submit renewal applications and fees by January 1; monitor Town communications to avoid lapses.

This guide relies exclusively on the provided materials. For ordinance specifics (e.g., full text of Articles 4, 8, 12, 13, and the exact annual cap), consult the full Town documents.