STR Rule Watch

Short-Term Rental Laws in Bar Harbor, ME (2026)

RestrictedRestricted

Bar Harbor requires every short-term rental (under 30 days) to hold an annual town registration that expires May 31, with a $275 non-refundable application fee and a triennial life-safety inspection. Owner-occupied rentals (VR-1, 2-night minimum) are allowed in most districts, but whole-home rentals that are not the owner's primary residence (VR-2, 4-night minimum) are capped town-wide at 9% of dwelling units, are non-transferable, and are prohibited outright in many residential and shoreland districts; because registrations remain above the cap, new VR-2s are available only through a waitlist. Maine's 9% state lodging tax applies on top.

✓ Last verified July 21, 2026 · 11 official sources

Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 11 official sources. How we verify data

Bar Harbor STR rules at a glance

Key short-term rental facts for Bar Harbor
Legal statusRestricted
Permit requiredYes
Permit nameShort-Term Rental Registration (VR-1 or VR-2)
Permit fee$275
RenewalAnnual
Owner occupancy requiredNo
Primary residence onlyNo
Minimum stay2 nights
Total occupancy taxes~9% of gross revenue
EnforcementAdministered and enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO).
Current rules effective2025-12-18

What will guests pay in taxes on a Bar Harbor stay?

Itemized occupancy taxes for Bar Harbor, ME — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.

Bar Harbor occupancy tax calculator

Gross rent$450.00
Maine sales tax on lodging (rental of living quarters, 36 M.R.S. sec. 1811) (9%)· collection varies$40.50
Total tax (9%)$40.50
Guest pays$490.50

Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.

Permits & licensing

Bar Harbor requires Short-Term Rental Registration (VR-1 or VR-2) to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $275, renewed annually.

Both the VR-1 and VR-2 application forms for 2026 state a $275.00 non-refundable fee, payable when the application is filed. The same fee applies to new applications, renewals, and VR-2 waitlist applications.

Zoning & location rules

STRs are governed by Land Use Ordinance sec. 125-69Y plus Municipal Code Chapter 174. VR-1 (owner's primary residence, defined as residing there more than 183 days/year) is allowed in roughly 34 districts - essentially everywhere dwellings are allowed - and prohibited only in a handful of districts such as Industrial, Stream Protection, Resource Protection, Scientific Research, Shoreland Maritime Activities, and Marine Research. VR-2 (entire dwelling that is not the owner's primary residence) is allowed only in about 18 village/commercial-oriented districts (e.g., Bar Harbor Gateway, Village Historic, Downtown Village I/II, Town Hill Business) subject to the town-wide 9% cap, and is prohibited in the remaining districts (e.g., Indian Point Residential, Shoreland Limited Residential, Otter Creek), where only VR-2s registered before December 2, 2021 may continue as legally non-conforming uses with uninterrupted annual renewal. VR-2 registrations town-wide are capped at 9% of total dwelling units; registrations are non-transferable, and because existing registrations exceed the cap, new VR-2s are issued only from a waitlist as attrition brings the count down.

Taxes

TaxRateWho collects
Maine sales tax on lodging (rental of living quarters, 36 M.R.S. sec. 1811)State-level tax; Maine has no separate county or municipal lodging tax. Major platforms (Airbnb/Vrbo) collect and remit for bookings they process; under 36 M.R.S. sec. 1754-B anyone who collects rental payments on behalf of an owner must register and collect, and hosts taking direct bookings must register with Maine Revenue Services and collect the 9% themselves. Casual rentals under 15 days/year may be exempt unless handled by an agent (36 M.R.S. sec. 1764).9%varies

Enforcement & penalties

Administered and enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO). Advertising, renting, or operating without a valid registration is prohibited; the registration number must appear in all advertising. Registration requires passing a life-safety inspection before issuance and re-inspection every three years, with owner attestation between cycles; the CEO may conduct additional inspections. For violations at registered STRs the CEO allows up to 7 days to correct after informal contact, then issues a written notice of violation by certified mail. A property under a notice of violation cannot register, renew, or operate until corrective action is taken and all fines are paid. Registrations can be suspended or revoked for continued violations or false application information. Each day of violation after notification is a separate offense.

Minimum fine of $1,500 for operating without a valid registration (sec. 174-10.D). A second violation within one year triggers a 12-month bar on applying for registration and a $3,000 fine before reapplying. The CEO may also assess a penalty equal to three times the average nightly rental rate for each day of unlawful operation, and the Town may seek additional fines and injunctive relief under 30-A M.R.S. sec. 4452, including attorneys' fees.

⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.

Getting legal in Bar Harbor: the playbook

Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.

  1. 1

    Verify your zoning

    Location rules apply: STRs are governed by Land Use Ordinance sec. 125-69Y plus Municipal Code Chapter 174. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.

  2. 2

    Check the covenant layer

    HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.

  3. 3

    Apply for the Short-Term Rental Registration (VR-1 or VR-2)

    Budget $275, renewed annually. 00 non-refundable fee, payable when the application is filed. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.

  4. 4

    Set up tax collection & remittance

    Platforms don't collect everything here: Maine sales tax on lodging (rental of living quarters, 36 M.R.S. sec. 1811) (9%) is remitted by the host in at least some cases. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.

  5. 5

    Configure your listing to the operating limits

    Set your calendar and listing rules to respect the 2-night minimum stay — platform delisting and fines in this market typically start with listings that visibly violate these limits.

  6. 6

    Calendar the renewal before you forget it

    This permit renews annually (budget $275 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.

  7. 7

    Know the cost of getting it wrong

    Minimum fine of $1,500 for operating without a valid registration (sec. D). Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.

Recent rule changes in Bar Harbor

  1. December 18, 2025material

    Amended Chapter 174 (Ordinance Amendment 2025-10) takes effect

    Adopted by the Town Council on Nov. 18, 2025 and effective Dec. 18, 2025. Tightens VR-1 primary-residence proof (application signed by all adult residents, affidavit, at least 3 residency documents, updated documentation at each annual renewal, one VR-1 per individual with a family estate-planning/caregiving exception), formalizes the VR-2 waitlist procedure (fee required to join; 120 days to secure an offered slot), simplifies inspection language around the triennial life-safety inspection, and restructures fines (minimum $1,500; $3,000 plus 12-month registration bar for a second violation within a year; up to 3x average nightly rate per day of unlawful operation).

    Official source →

  2. July 1, 2025

    Maine Supreme Judicial Court decides McCallion v. Town of Bar Harbor (2025 ME 58)

    The Law Court dismissed as moot a neighbor challenge to a 2023 VR-2 registration the town issued after losing a timely renewal in a portal glitch, leaving the town's registration framework (annual May 31 renewal; non-conforming VR-2 status preserved only by uninterrupted renewal) intact.

    Official source →

Frequently asked questions

›Is Airbnb legal in Bar Harbor?

Airbnb is legal in Bar Harbor, ME, but with significant restrictions — check the zoning and eligibility rules on this page before listing. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Bar Harbor?

Yes. Bar Harbor requires a Short-Term Rental Registration (VR-1 or VR-2) to operate a short-term rental, which costs $275 and must be renewed annually. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›How much does a Bar Harbor short-term rental permit cost?

The Short-Term Rental Registration (VR-1 or VR-2) costs $275 (annual renewal). Both the VR-1 and VR-2 application forms for 2026 state a $275.00 non-refundable fee, payable when the application is filed. The same fee applies to new applications, renewals, and VR-2 waitlist applications.

›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Bar Harbor?

Yes — Bar Harbor does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Bar Harbor?

Hosts in Bar Harbor are subject to: Maine sales tax on lodging (rental of living quarters, 36 M.R.S. sec. 1811) (9%) — roughly 9% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.

›Is there a minimum stay for short-term rentals in Bar Harbor?

Yes — Bar Harbor requires a minimum stay of 2 nights for short-term rentals. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Bar Harbor?

No — in Bar Harbor hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Bar Harbor?

Minimum fine of $1,500 for operating without a valid registration (sec. D). See the enforcement section on this page for full details.

›When did Bar Harbor's current short-term rental rules take effect?

The current ordinance took effect on December 18, 2025. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.

Bar Harbor's STR rules changed 2 times recently.

Get an email the moment Bar Harbor changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

Watch Bar Harbor for changes →

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Sources

This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Bar Harbor and a qualified professional before operating.

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