Land Use Planning Commission Implements Notice Requirement for Short-Term Rentals

January 12, 2026

AUGUSTA – In 2025, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC or Commission) updated its rules to better understand short-term rentals in the areas it serves. The changes clarify what constitutes a short-term rental, establish where short-term rentals are allowed, and require short-term rental owners to notify the Commission. The Commission shared the proposed changes publicly, invited comments, and reviewed feedback before finalizing the rules.

As part of those updates, the Commission is implementing a notice requirement for short-term rentals operating in Maine’s unorganized territories and the towns and plantations within the LUPCs service area. Effective January 12, 2026, owners of a short-term rental-such as a single-family home or residential campsite must notify the LUPC of the rental. The notice requirement is intended to communicate best practices, better understand short-term rental activity, and help address complaints.

“Many towns in Maine are enacting regulations for short-term rentals, and the Commission believes it is appropriate to adopt a notice requirement to gather additional information on rental activity before considering further regulation,” said LUPC Chairman Millard Billings. The Commission is cognizant of the need to balance the unique character and economy of the Unorganized Territories.

No LUPC permit is required to operate a short-term rental in the LUPC’s service area, but the notification is mandatory. Owners of short-term rentals that were operating prior to January 12, 2026, must provide notice by July 11, 2026. There is no cost for filing the notice, and an online submission system has been developed for your convenience.

The rule changes may be found on the LUPC’s rulemaking webpage. Background information on short-term rentals in the Commission’s service area and on this rulemaking process may be found on the project webpage. For more information about these rule changes, contact the LUPC at lupc@maine.gov and visit www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/.

For more information contact: Jim Britt at: jim.britt@maine.gov

STR_Renter_Checklist.pdf

Registration   fillable form 

View as a webpage  /  Share Land Use Planning Commission Proposed Rule Revisions Chapters 2 and 10 Rulemaking: Short-term Rentals Chapter 2 contains definitions for terms used in the Commission’s rules and policies. The Chapter 10 rules establish land use standards for lands within the Maine Land Use Planning Commission’s service area. The goal of this rulemaking is to define short-term rentals and to adopt a notice requirement and minimum standards regarding the use of dwelling units as short-term rental units. The proposed rule changes and background information can be found on the project website. Written comments regarding the Short-term Rental rulemaking must be submitted on or prior to April 17, 2024, and will be posted on both the project website and the rulemaking website on April 18, 2024. Written rebuttal comments must be submitted on or prior to May 1, 2024. Comments on, or questions about, the Short-term Rental rulemaking proposal can be sent by email to stacy.benjamin@maine.gov or by postal mail to: Maine Land Use Planning Commission, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0022.   Chapter 10 Rulemaking: Accessory Structures Chapter 10 rules establish land use standards for lands within the Maine Land Use Planning Commission’s service area. The goal of this rulemaking is to adopt a notice requirement to improve landowner compliance with land use standards and resource protections and to maintain the ability of landowners to construct certain accessory structures without a permit from the Commission. Written comments regarding the accessory structures rulemaking must be submitted on or prior to April 1, 2024, and will be posted on the Commission’s website on April 2, 2024. Written rebuttal comments must be submitted on or prior to April 15, 2024. Comments on, or questions about, the accessory structure rulemaking proposal can be sent to Timothy.Beaucage@maine.gov or by postal mail to: Maine Land Use Planning Commission, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0022. The draft changes and additional information for both rulemakings are posted on the Commission’s website at: Proposed Rulemaking / Opportunities for Public Comment. Visit the L UPC Website

 

Short-Term Rentals in the Commission’s Service Area

Last Updated: June 4, 2025

Microsoft Word – STR_2025_RuleRedline.docx