City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Biddeford, ME
How Biddeford regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here are subject to registration, a lodging tax, or a small number of operating rules.
- No STR-specific licensing, permit, or registration program in force
- No cap, no primary-residence rule, no residential-zone STR exclusion
- Only device reaching some STRs is a general (non-STR-specific) multifamily rental registration/inspection program for buildings with 3+ dwelling units (Chapter 18)
- Single-family whole-home STRs (typical in Biddeford Pool seasonal area) fall outside the 3+ unit registration and face no municipal STR device
- Maine levies a state 9% lodging tax on stays <28 days, but it is state-levied, not a Biddeford municipal/county tax
Based on: Code of Ordinances Ch. 18 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Div. 1, § 18-26 et seq. — multifamily dwelling unit
Summary of the rule
All owners of buildings containing three or more units must register with the Code Enforcement Office; registration is due annually or within 30 days of purchase.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 15, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Biddeford · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.