Overview and Explicit Answer

Are short-term rentals allowed in Caribou, ME?

• Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Caribou, Maine as of the date of this guidance, subject to zoning, building, life-safety, and other applicable local/state requirements. Caribou’s Land Use Ordinances (Zoning Ordinance, Site Design Review, Subdivision Ordinance, Shoreland Zoning, Flood Hazard Area Regulations) do not expressly prohibit STRs. You must comply with all applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and General Requirements (e.g., Hotels/Motels/Inns; Bed and Breakfast; Home Occupations) and obtain required permits/approvals before operating.

What you must do first:

• Confirm your property’s zoning district (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, C‑1, C‑2, RC‑2, I‑1, I‑2, H‑1) and any overlay districts (Shoreland, Aquifer, Wellhead Protection).
• Select a compliant operating model:
  • Lodging use (e.g., hotel/motel/inn or B&B) in zones where such lodging is permitted; or
  • Home Occupation in residential zones if occupancy is accessory to the dwelling and meets performance standards.
• Obtain all required permits, certificates, and licenses before renting.

Note: The city’s documents reviewed do not include a city‑specific “STR permit” or fee schedule. Caribou manages STRs through its standard zoning, site design review, and building/life-safety processes. State lodging and tax obligations also apply.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Caribou

1. Zoning Compliance

• Identify the property’s zoning district using Caribou’s Official Zoning Map (filed with the City Clerk per Sec. 13‑202).
• Check for overlay districts:
  • Shoreland Zoning (Sec. 13‑500) if near water bodies;
  • Sand & Gravel Aquifer Overlay (Sec. 13‑203.B.1);
  • Wellhead Protection Overlay (Sec. 13‑203.B.2).
• Confirm that STR use is permissible under Caribou’s zoning framework:
  • If operating as lodging (e.g., hotel/motel/inn), ensure the district table permits such use and you meet all conditions.
  • If operating as a B&B or as a Home Occupation in a residential district, ensure compliance with those provisions.
• If your use requires Site Design Review (Sec. 13‑301), obtain approval before operating.

2. Life-Safety and Building Code

• Comply with the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) (Sec. 13‑203.A.4–5).
• Obtain all required building permits and certificates of occupancy before occupancy. Plumbing permits and inspections may be required (Sec. 13‑204.1).

3. Site Design Review (when required)

• Site Design Review is required for certain projects (Sec. 13‑301), including:
  • New commercial or non-residential buildings with ≥ 6,000 sq ft gross impervious surface;
  • Parking areas > 10 spaces;
  • Impervious surface additions ≥ 4,000 sq ft cumulatively over 3 years;
  • Change of use in > 4,000 sq ft over 3 years;
  • Major access changes, grading/filling/excavation moving ≥ 1,000 cubic yards.
• Follow the application process (Sec. 13‑302) and satisfy review criteria (Sec. 13‑303) regarding traffic, parking, access, water, wastewater, emergency access, open space, buffering, and waste disposal.

4. Operational Model Selection

• Lodging Use (Hotel/Motel/Inn)
  • Confirm permitted status in your district from the Land Use Table; expect Life Safety and Building Code compliance.
• Bed & Breakfast (B&B)
  • Caribou specifically references “Bed and Breakfast” as a general land use (Sec. 13‑700(4)); confirm conditions and permitted districts.
• Home Occupation
  • STRs operating as accessory to a residential use must meet Home Occupation standards (Sec. 13‑700(13)) to ensure they do not become the primary use and remain compatible with neighborhood character.

5. Start-Up Timeline and Sequencing

• Pre‑application: Confirm zoning and overlays; collect title/deed and site information.
• Submit required applications:
  • Site Design Review (if applicable);
  • Building/Plumbing permits;
  • Certificate of Occupancy.
• Complete inspections; satisfy performance guarantees and post‑approval requirements.
• Obtain Maine lodging license (state), sales tax/ME sales/use tax registration, and room tax registrations as applicable.
• Launch only after receiving final approvals and CO.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

1. Permits and Approvals (Local)

• Site Design Review
  • Application per Sec. 13‑302 (Concept and Final Plan as applicable);
  • Notifications to abutting property owners;
  • Review by CEO and/or Planning Board;
  • Fees and performance guarantees as specified.
• Building Permit(s) and Plumbing Permit(s)
  • Required before construction or significant alteration;
  • Must comply with Caribou Building Code and MUBEC.
• Certificate of Occupancy
  • Issued only after all inspections and code compliance are verified.
• Life Safety Code Compliance
  • Documentation per NFPA 101 as required by zoning provisions.

2. Licenses (State of Maine)

• Maine Lodging License
  • Required for lodging places (hotels/motels/inns/B&Bs that offer accommodations for fewer than 28 days).
  • Contact Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for current application and fee details.

3. Tax Registrations (Maine Revenue Services)

• Sales Tax and Use Tax Registration
  • Required for retail/provision of taxable services and/or lodging in Maine.
• Room Tax (Lodging Tax)
  • Maine imposes a lodging tax on room rentals; verify current rates and registration requirements with Maine Revenue Services.

4. Zoning and General Requirements

• Conform to zoning district use standards, dimensional requirements, and overlay district standards.
• Comply with General Requirements, including but not limited to:
  • Hotels, Motels, and Inns (Sec. 13‑700(14));
  • Bed and Breakfast (Sec. 13‑700(4));
  • Home Occupations (Sec. 13‑700(13));
  • Parking and Access Management (Sec. 13‑710);
  • Sanitary sewage (Sec. 13‑700(27));
  • Water supply (Sec. 13‑700(37));
  • Waste disposal (Sec. 13‑700(6)).

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Caribou (Local)

• Zoning Ordinance (Sec. 13‑200 et seq.)
  • Land uses governed by district tables; confirm permitted status of lodging uses (hotels/motels/inns; B&B).
  • Dimensional requirements apply to lots/structures (Sec. 13‑205).
  • Non-conformance provisions (Sec. 13‑206) affect expansion and alterations of pre-existing structures/uses.
• Site Design Review (Sec. 13‑300 et seq.)
  • Applies to commercial/non-residential projects and significant site changes; requires Planning Board/CEO review and public notice.
• General Requirements (Sec. 13‑700)
  • Specific standards for lodging, B&B, Home Occupations; parking, access management, utilities, waste handling, and more.
• Access Management, Off-Street Parking, Loading, and Road Design Standards (Sec. 13‑710)
  • Sets access, parking layout, loading, and emergency access requirements.
• Shoreland Zoning (Sec. 13‑500)
  • Applies within designated shoreland areas; overlays standard zoning requirements; provides additional environmental standards.
• Flood Hazard Area Regulations (Sec. 13‑600)
  • Requires permits, compliance with development standards, and certification.
• Overlay Districts
  • Sand & Gravel Aquifer Overlay; Wellhead Protection Overlay (Sec. 13‑203.B.1–2).
• Administration and Enforcement (Sec. 13‑800)
  • The Planning Board administers zoning and site design review; enforcement and penalties for violations.

County (Aroostook County)

• No county-level STR-specific regulations are presented in the provided Caribou materials. County registry and plat references apply for deeds and subdivisions.

State of Maine

• State-level rules cover:
  • Lodging licensing (DHHS) for accommodations fewer than 28 days;
  • Sales/use tax and lodging tax obligations (Maine Revenue Services);
  • Building, life-safety, and energy codes (MUBEC);
  • Wastewater disposal rules (Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules).
• If no city-specific STR prohibition exists, short-term rentals are permissible unless restricted by the zoning district’s Land Use Table. Comply with state laws and local ordinances; when requirements conflict, the more restrictive applies (Sec. 13‑100.6).

Contact Information

City of Caribou (Local Authority)

• Address: City Clerk’s Office, City of Caribou, Maine (Official Zoning Map and ordinances filed with the City Clerk per Sec. 13‑202.2.B).
• Planning Board/Code Enforcement Officer (CEO)
  • Administers zoning, site design review, building permits, and inspections (Sec. 13‑302; Sec. 13‑800).
• Fire Department
  • Reviews emergency vehicle access and life-safety compliance (Sec. 13‑303.J).
• Utilities District
  • Caribou Utilities District: referenced in wellhead protection and water supply provisions (Sec. 13‑203.B.2; Sec. 13‑303.I).

State of Maine

• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – Lodging Licensing
• Maine Revenue Services – Sales/Use Tax and Lodging Tax Registrations

Note: Phone numbers, emails, and websites are not provided in the materials. Contact details can be obtained directly from the City Clerk’s office and state agency websites.

Source Pages

• www.strprofitmap.com/regulations/ME
• www.cariboumaine.org/pdf/Chapter%2013%20-%20Zoning%20Ordinance.pdf

Practical Notes for STR Investors

• No explicit city STR ban was found in the provided materials; STRs are permissible under Maine law unless prohibited by zoning or other legal restrictions.
• Verify zoning district and overlays before purchase; confirm whether your intended use is treated as lodging (hotel/motel/inn/B&B) or as a home occupation accessory use.
• Anticipate site design review for commercial-scale lodging operations or site changes exceeding thresholds; budget for fees and potential performance guarantees.
• Prepare for life-safety and building code compliance; plan for inspections and Certificate of Occupancy before hosting guests.
• Secure state lodging license and tax registrations before opening to avoid enforcement and tax liabilities.
• Ensure compliance with parking, access, waste, water, and sewage standards; overlays (shoreland, aquifer, wellhead) may add conditions or require additional approvals.
• Keep the site maintained in a safe and sanitary manner (dust control, debris removal, emergency access clearances).
• Consider buffers and screening when located near residential uses; adhere to noise, signage, and lighting provisions.
• Monitor for future amendments to city ordinances; the City Clerk’s office maintains certified copies and public notices.