City Watch
Short-term rental rules in York, ME
How York 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.
- STR is a defined term and an expressly permitted principal residential use (CEO permit, same authority as any dwelling)
- No STR-specific registration/license/permit process in force — 2024 referendum to create one was defeated by voters
- No supply device: no cap, no primary-residence/host-present requirement, no residential-zone exclusion on the general housing stock
- Only STR-specific standard is a parking ratio (1.25 spaces per rental unit/bedroom)
- New ADUs are barred from STR/transient occupancy — a narrow new-unit-type carve-out, not a supply device on existing stock
Based on: Town of York Zoning Ordinance, Revised Through May 18, 2024 (certified) — Art. 2 Definitions (Short-Term Residential
Summary of the rule
Residential Use Category, With Permit/Approval Jurisdiction ... any use listed for that zone shall be an allowed use ... Dwelling, Single-Family - CEO; Dwelling, Two-Family - CEO; Short-Term Residential Rental - CEO
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 14, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring York · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch tracks changes from public sources — council agendas, state bills, local news — not a complete legal compendium.
A city permit is not the whole picture — HOA, condominium, deed, or lease rules may be stricter.
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.