A short-term residential rental unit is defined as a temporary rental of less than 30 consecutive days. As stated in the ordinance (updated August 27, 2019), registration of short-term rental units will be required starting January 1, 2019. In order to legally advertise and operate a short-term rental, it must be registered with the City.
Registration
To register your short-term rental, click here to submit an application online OR download and print the application packet and submit to the City Clerk's office. Please call (207) 767-7628 with any questions regarding registration.
If you have any issues with the online registration,
please use the paper application.
Questions about Fire Department inspections or requirements should be directed to the Fire Department at (207) 799-3314.
Registration Renewal
Short-Term Rental Registrations expire annually from the date of issuance. A renewal notice will be sent from the City Clerk's office prior to expiration. Fire inspections may not be required for renewals unless changes have been made to the property.
The option to renew online is now available. You may submit a renewal application online starting 30 days before the expiration date. Click here to renew online. If you have any issues with the online registration, please use the paper application.
For Registrants:
Enforcement
The City has contracted with HostCompliance to assist with identification of short-term rentals and the enforcement of the ordinance. Starting March 1, 2019 letters will be issued to all unregistered owners of identified short-term rentals encouraging those who are eligible under the ordinance to register, and those who are not eligible to cease operation. Short-term rentals that fail to comply with the ordinance are subject to enforcement measures as outlined in Sec. 14-809 & Sec. 14-810.
Short Term Rental Hotline and Online Complaint Link
Complaints regarding short-term rentals should be brought to the attention of the Code Enforcement Officer for follow up.
There are two ways you can report addresses that are potentially in violation: a short term rental telephone hotline - (207) 835-3200 - and an online form to submit your complaint - https://hostcompliance.com/tips. Both reporting options are available 24 hours a day/seven days a week for neighbors to report non-emergency problems related to short-term rental properties. Complaints will be followed up by the Code Enforcement Officer.
History of Ordinance Amendments & Process
Update: August 6, 2019
The City Council passed Ordinance #4-19/20 (effective 8/27/19) amending regulations to short-term rentals. A summary of the changes are noted below:
1. Require building inspections for all STRs upon initial registration (see Table 14-805 “Inspection”)
2. Expand eligibility to register Non-Hosted type STRs in Authorized Mixed-Use Structures that have up to three residential dwelling units (see Section 14-801 “Definitions” and Table 14-805 “Type of Structure”).
3. Expand eligibility to register Non-Hosted type STRs in a two-, three-, or four-family dwelling unit building (see Section 14-801 “Definitions” and Table 14-805 “Type of Structure”).
4. Expand the eligibility to register Non-Hosted type STRs in a Multi-Owner Dwelling Unit Structure (e.g. condominium) or Multi-Owner Mixed Use Structure with up to four residential dwelling units (see Section 14-801 “Definitions” and Table 14-805 “Type of Structure”)
5. Expand the number of units per building that may be registered as an STR (see Sec. 14-805 (b) 17) as follows:
a. An owner of a two-, three-, or four-family dwelling unit may register no more than two dwelling units as a Non-Hosted Home Stay.
b. Each owner of a dwelling unit within a multi-owner building (e.g. condominium) may register one dwelling unit as an STR.
c. An owner of a mixed-use building under single ownership may register no more than three dwellings units within the building as a Non-Hosted Home Stay.
Update: November 15, 2018
Official results from the November 6, 2018 municipal General Election
By a final vote of 6,377 (FOR THE ORDINANCES) to 5,380 (AGAINST THE ORDINANCES), ORDINANCE #22-17/18 and ORDINANCE #23-17/18 passed and are now codified.
Press Release from the City Manager's Office
Update: September 5, 2018
At the September 4, 2018 meeting, the City Council voted to refer Ordinance #22-17/18 and Ordinance #23-17/18 to the voters at the November 6, 2018 election. Click on the links to view the ordinances. Copies of the referred ordinances are also posted and available at the City Clerk's office.
Sample ballots are posted here and are available in the City Clerk's office. The sample ballot will also be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the City of South Portland before the election. To request your absentee ballot, click here.
Organized campaign activity for this municipal referendum question must register with the City Clerk's office and file campaign finance reports as required. Please click here for more information.
Update: August 21, 2018
The City Council moved to reconsider and postpone referred Ordinance #22-17/18 and referred Ordinance #23-17/18 to a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
CITY OF SOUTH PORTLAND
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – CITY COUNCIL
As a result of the receipt of a certified referendum petition, the South Portland City Council will conduct a public hearing on whether to (a) repeal Ordinances #22-17/18 and #23-17/18 regarding short-term residential rental regulations, or (b) to send the ordinances to referendum vote.
All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and will be given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing.
Date of Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Place: Council Chambers, City Hall, 25 Cottage Road, South
Portland
Update: August 15, 2018
The City Clerk's office has completed the certification of the submitted referendum petition and has certified a total of 1,457 signatures. The referred ordinances will be moving forward to the City Council for reconsideration at the August 21, 2018 regular City Council meeting at 7:00pm. After a vote for reconsideration, the items are expected to be immediately postponed to the meeting of September 4, 2018 for a public hearing before the Council's vote on its repeal. If the Council fails to repeal the ordinances, the ordinances will be submitted to the voters.
Update: August 6, 2018
The City Clerk’s office in the City of South Portland received a referendum petition for Ordinance #22-17/18 and Ordinance #23-17/18.
Per the Charter and Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Clerk’s office will begin certifying signatures on the petition and has 20 days to do so. The referendum petition may not be amended or supplemented. The petition needs a minimum of 1,000 signatures of registered voters of the City to be valid. If the petition fails to obtain the minimum number of signatures, the petition effort fails and the ordinances go into effect.
If the petition meets the minimum number of signatures, the ordinances are suspended from going into effect, and the referred ordinances will go before the City Council at the next regular City Council meeting for reconsideration. If the City Council fails to repeal the ordinances, the ordinances will be submitted to referendum at an upcoming election (to be determined).
The City Clerk’s office is working have a result as soon as possible.
Update: July 17, 2018
The City Council has passed Ordinance #22-17/18 and Ordinance #23-17/18. These ordinances will become effective 20 days from date of passage (August 7). Application and enforcement of the ordinances will begin January 1, 2019.
The City Council also passed Order #14-18/19 directing the City Manager to organize 4-6 community forums on the topic that are professionally facilitated. These forums will not be held if either or both amendments to Chapter 14 and Chapter 27 do not become effective.
A history of this process is detailed below.
On February 20, 2018, the City Council passed Ordinance #12-17/18 and Ordinance #13-17/18 regulating short term rentals.
Update: Referendum Petition Filed
On Monday, March 12, 2018, at 3:45pm, the City Clerk’s office in the City of South Portland received a referendum petition for Ordinance #12-17/18 and Ordinance #13-17/18.
Per the Charter and Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Clerk’s office will begin certifying signatures on the petition and has 20 days to do so. The referendum petition may not be amended or supplemented. The petition needs a minimum of 1,000 signatures of registered voters of the City to be valid. If the petition fails to obtain the minimum number of signatures, the petition effort fails and the ordinances go into effect.
If the petition meets the minimum number of signatures, the ordinances are suspended from going into effect, and the petition will go before the City Council at the next regular City Council meeting for reconsideration. If the City Council fails to repeal the ordinances, the ordinances will be submitted to referendum at an upcoming election (to be determined).
The City Clerk’s office is working have a result as soon as possible.
Update: Ordinance #12-17/18 & Ordinance #13-17/18 suspended from going into operation
On March 15, 2018, the City Clerk's office certified 1,000 signatures on the referendum petition. This represents the required number of valid signatures to suspend the referred ordinances from going into operation (in accordance with Charter Sec. 1106) and move the petition forward to the next City Council meeting for consideration.
The City Clerk's office will continue to certify all pages of the petition and will have a final number of valid signatures to present to the Council at the March 20 Council Meeting.
Please click here for agenda materials for the March 20 Council meeting.
Update:
CITY OF SOUTH PORTLAND
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – CITY COUNCIL
As a result of the receipt of a certified referendum petition, the South Portland City Council will conduct a public hearing on whether to (a) repeal Ordinances #12-17/18 and #13-17/18 regarding short-term residential rental regulations, or (b) to send the ordinances to referendum vote.
All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and will be given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing.
Date of Public Hearing: Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Time: 7 P.M.
Place: Council Chambers, City Hall, 25 Cottage Road, South Portland
Update: City Council Votes 6-0 to repeal Ordinance #12-17/18 and Ordinance #13-17/18.
At the April 3, 2018 Council Meeting, the City Council voted to repeal Ordinance #12-17/18 and Ordinance #13-17/18.