Short-term rental (Airbnb) rules in York, Maine
York's Zoning Ordinance lists "Short-Term Residential Rental" (stays of 30 days or less) as a permitted use in its residential zones, with the Code Enforcement Officer as the permitting authority, and requires 1.25 parking spaces per bedroom. STRs are banned on any lot with an accessory dwelling unit. The ordinance says permitting standards are in a separate Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance, which we didn't have, so confirm current registration rules with Code Enforcement.
| Definition | A dwelling unit rented by the owner or agent for transient occupancy [1] |
| Transient occupancy | 30 days or less per calendar year by the same person or group [2] |
| Approval authority | Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) [3] |
| Zones | Listed as a permitted use in RES-1 through RES-7 and most other base zones [4] |
| Parking | 1.25 spaces per bedroom [6] |
| Lots with an ADU | STRs prohibited in the ADU, the main house, or anywhere on the lot [7] |
What counts as a short-term rental
York defines a short-term residential rental as a dwelling unit, other than a hotel, B&B, inn, boarding house, tourist home or accessory dwelling unit, that the owner or owner's agent rents for transient occupancy [1]. Transient occupancy means a stay by the same person or group for 30 days or less per calendar year [2].
Where it's allowed and who approves it
The Zoning Ordinance lists "Short-Term Residential Rental" in the Residential Use Category with the CEO as the permitting authority [3]. It appears as a permitted use in RES-1A/1B [4] and in RES-2 through RES-7, the GEN, BUS, YBVC and Route One districts, and the Shoreland Overlay's mixed-use and limited residential lists. In YVC-1 and YVC-2, STRs are allowed only on lots with public sewer and water. On lots facing York Street, Woodbridge Road or Long Sands Road, they're allowed only inside a mixed-use building.
Separate STR ordinance
Section 18.14 says the standards and process for permitting STRs are in a separate Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance administered by the CEO [5]. We didn't have that ordinance and couldn't confirm that one is in effect, so registration, fees, caps, minimum stays and safety inspections aren't covered here.
Parking
Short-term residential rentals need 1.25 parking spaces for each bedroom [6].
ADU lots and other restrictions
If your lot has an accessory dwelling unit, no short-term rental is allowed in the ADU, the main house, or anywhere on the lot, and a deed covenant must say so [7]. Elderly housing units also can't be used as STRs.
Other notes
The zoning text has no owner-occupancy or primary-residence rule for STRs. That differs from B&Bs, which must be run by a resident owner.
See how York compares with 8+ other Maine towns on short-term rentals (airbnb / vrbo) →
Next steps
- Confirm your zone on the York zoning map, and check whether your lot has an ADU (which bars STRs).
- Ask the York Code Enforcement Office whether a Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance or registration is currently in effect and what permit it requires.
- Make sure you can provide 1.25 off-street parking spaces per bedroom.
- Register with Maine Revenue Services to collect lodging tax if you'll rent 15 or more days a year.
Common questions
- Are short-term rentals allowed in York, Maine?
- Yes. York's Zoning Ordinance lists Short-Term Residential Rental, stays of 30 days or less, as a permitted use in its residential zones, with the Code Enforcement Officer as the permitting authority. Confirm current registration rules with Code Enforcement.
- Can I Airbnb my house if I have an ADU in York, Maine?
- No. If your lot has an accessory dwelling unit, no short-term rental is allowed in the ADU, the main house, or anywhere on the lot, and a deed covenant must say so.
- How much parking does a short-term rental need in York, Maine?
- 1.25 parking spaces for each bedroom.
- Does York, Maine have a short-term rental registration or license?
- The ordinance says standards and permitting are in a separate Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance, which we couldn't confirm. Registration, fees, caps and minimum stays aren't covered, so ask Code Enforcement.
Maine state rules for short-term rentals
No statewide STR license. Maine has no state registration or permit for Airbnb/VRBO hosts. State law instead lets each town regulate short-term rentals (30-A M.R.S. §4364-C(2), passed in 2022). Check your town's rules.
Lodging tax (Maine Revenue Services):
- Rentals of living quarters are taxed at 9%, still the rate in 2026.
- Booking platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO must register with the state and collect the tax on bookings made through them.
- If you rent a single unit for fewer than 15 days a year, you generally aren't a "retailer" and don't need to register.
- If you rent 15 days or more in a year, you must register with Maine Revenue Services and collect tax on any bookings you take directly.
- A stay of 28+ days in a row is tax-exempt only in certain cases, such as when the unit is the guest's primary residence.
No state lodging license for vacation rentals. Maine's lodging-license law leaves out "vacation rentals," meaning homes rented to people with a permanent home elsewhere. B&Bs, inns and hotels do need a license.
ADUs: Starting July 1, 2027, towns can't require ADU owners to live on the property. State guidance says towns can still regulate STRs, for example by requiring registration or banning STRs in ADUs.
What the ordinance says
- Art. 2, Definitions: Short-Term Residential Rental, Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 29
SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTAL: A dwelling unit, other than a hotel/motel, B&B, Inn, Boarding House, Tourist Home, Accessory Dwelling Unit etc., that is rented by the owner or the owner's agent for transient occupancy.
- Art. 2, Definitions: Transient Occupancy, Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 32
TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY: A stay by the same person or group of people in overnight accommodations of a particular hotel, motel, inn, bed & breakfast, short term residential rental or other such place for 30 days or less per calendar year.
- §4.1.A, Residential Use Category with Permit/Approval Jurisdiction, Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 41
• Dwelling, Single-Family – CEO • Dwelling, Two-Family – CEO • Short-Term Residential Rental – CEO
- §4.1.1, Residential Use Category (RES 1-A & RES 1-B), Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 42
• Elderly Housing • Elderly Congregate Housing • Short-Term Residential Rental Commercial Use Category (RES 1-A & RES 1-B)
- §18.14, Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 269
18.14 In conjunction with the Town of York’s Zoning Ordinance, the standards and process for permitting Short-Term Residential Rentals are included in a Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance that is administered by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Art. 15, §15.1 parking table, item c, Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 236
c. Hote/motel/Short- Term 1.25 parking spaces for each rental unit accommodation or each bedroom within a Residential Rental short-term residential rental.
- §7.17.2(C)(3), Zoning Ordinance (Revised through May 16, 2026), p. 143
This ADU ordinance is intended to create year-round housing. Therefore, a short-term residential rental is prohibited within the ADU, principal dwelling unit or anywhere on a lot where an ADU is constructed.