Kennebunkport, Maine Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Kennebunkport, Maine, but only with proper licensing and under strict regulatory conditions. The town operates a limited license system where the number of new STR licenses issued each year is controlled by the Select Board through a formula based on the total number of dwellings in Kennebunkport. This means that while STRs are permitted, license availability is restricted and operates on a waiting list system when demand exceeds available licenses.

The town defines a short-term rental as "the use, control, management or operation of a legally existing residential dwelling unit offered for rent for transient occupancy for dwelling, sleeping or lodging purposes by short-term rental guests for a tenancy of less than 30 consecutive days, for compensation, directly or indirectly, excluding motels, hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, inns, seasonal rental accommodation complexes, and residential rental accommodations."

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport hosts earn a median $45,884/year with $548 ADR and 52% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $79,377+ per year.

See the full Kennebunkport market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Kennebunkport

Step 1: Check License Availability

The first critical step is understanding that STR licenses in Kennebunkport are extremely limited. The town uses a three-factor system to determine annual license availability:

Properties that sell and hold current licenses that don't meet "transferability" standards
The number of new licenses issued by the Select Board each year (using a formula based on total dwellings)
Licenses revoked by the Select Board throughout the prior year

Step 2: Apply for a License

If licenses are available, you must apply through the GovOS portal at: kennebunkportme.munirevs.com/business-center/

The application portal is open until December 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM. You'll need to create a GovOS account and complete the application process. The town provides tutorials for both account creation and the STR application process.

Step 3: Complete Required Inspections

All STR properties must undergo inspection before receiving a license. The town provides a "Short Term Rental Inspection Checklist" that outlines all requirements that must be met to pass inspection.

Step 4: Comply with Good Neighbor Guidelines

All STR operators must accept and comply with the Good Neighbor Guidelines, which outline the behavioral and operational standards expected of STR operators in the community.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Requirements:

STR License - Required before advertising, renting, or operating any STR
Fire Safety Inspection - Mandatory inspection of all STR properties
Good Neighbor Guidelines Agreement - Must be accepted and followed
Compliance with Short-Term Rental Ordinance - Must adhere to all ordinance provisions

Supporting Documents:

Short-Term Rental FAQ document
STR Inspection Checklist
STR Violation Penalty Schedule
Good Neighbor Guidelines
Goose Rocks Beach STR Neighborhood Map (for properties exempt from cap)

Fees:

The fee structure is determined by bedroom count:

$325 for properties with 3 bedrooms or less
$475 for properties with 4 bedrooms or more

Specific Regulations for Kennebunkport STRs

License Limitations:

Annual License Cap: The Select Board determines the number of new licenses each year using a formula based on total dwellings
Waiting List System: When applications exceed available licenses, applications are placed on a waiting list
Transferability Restrictions: Not all existing licenses can be transferred when properties are sold
No Guarantee: Being on the waiting list does NOT guarantee future approval

Operational Requirements:

Minimum Stay: Less than 30 consecutive days
License Display: License must be properly displayed as required
Compliance Monitoring: Properties are subject to ongoing compliance monitoring
Violation Penalties: Structured penalty system for violations (detailed in STR Violation Penalty Schedule)

Special Provisions:

Goose Rocks Beach Properties: Some properties in the Goose Rocks Beach area are exempt from the overall cap (see neighborhood map for specific locations)
Safety Standards: All properties must meet fire safety and building code requirements as outlined in the inspection checklist

Prohibited Activities:

Operating without a valid license
Failing to meet safety standards
Violating Good Neighbor Guidelines
Exceeding occupancy limits
Ignoring noise, parking, and other community standards

Enforcement and Violations

Reporting Violations:

Direct Violation Reports: Call (207) 967-1614
General Complaints: Call non-emergency police at (207) 967-2454
Online Complaint Portal: str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1232
Note: Anonymous complaints are not accepted or reviewed

Penalty Structure:

The town maintains a detailed STR Violation Penalty Schedule that outlines specific fines and consequences for various violations. Penalties escalate for repeat violations and serious infractions.

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Primary Contacts:

Planning and Development Department

Phone: (207) 967-4243
Address: 6 Elm Street, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Email: str@kennebunkportme.gov
Website: www.kennebunkportme.gov/departments/planning_and_development/short_term_rentals.php

Technical Support (GovOS Portal)

Email: blt.str.support@govos.com
Phone: (888) 751-1911

Town Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Town General Contact:

Phone: (207) 967-4243
Fax: (207) 967-8470

Planning and Development Staff Contacts:

For specific planning, code enforcement, and assessing questions:

Contact Page: www.kennebunkportme.gov/how_do_i/contact_us.php (Planning, Code Enforcement, Assessing)

Source Links and Additional Resources

Primary Government Sources:

Kennebunkport STR Main Page: www.kennebunkportme.gov/departments/planning_and_development/short_term_rentals.php
STR Ordinance (Online Platform): ecode360.com/37507767
Application Portal: kennebunkportme.munirevs.com/business-center/
Submit STR Complaint: str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1232
STR FAQ Document: www.kennebunkportme.gov/Documents/Departments/Planning%20and%20Development/STR/STR%20FAQ.pdf?t=202410310840360
STR Inspection Checklist: www.kennebunkportme.gov/STR%20Inspection%20Checklist.pdf?t=202504291602110
Violation Penalty Schedule: www.kennebunkportme.gov/Documents/Departments/Planning%20and%20Development/Penalty%20Schedule.pdf?t=202408141330410
Good Neighbor Guidelines: www.kennebunkportme.gov/Documents/Departments/Planning%20and%20Development/good_neighbor_policy_final_10-20-21_final_0.pdf?t=202406200924590
Goose Rocks Beach Neighborhood Map: www.kennebunkportme.gov/Documents/Departments/Planning%20and%20Development/grb_neighborhood_map.pdf?t=202406200925000

Supporting Resources:

Town Ordinances and Codes: www.kennebunkportme.gov/departments/planning_and_development/ordinances_and_codes.php
Town Code: ecode360.com/KE3910
Planning Department Forms and Permits: www.kennebunkportme.gov/departments/planning_and_development/forms_and_permits.php
Inspection Appointments: www.kennebunkportme.gov/departments/planning_and_development/inspections_appointments.php

Historical Context Sources:

Maine Legislature STR Report: legislature.maine.gov/doc/8864 (Contains summary of Kennebunkport's 2022 ordinance implementation)

Important Investment Considerations: Given Kennebunkport's restrictive licensing system and limited availability, potential STR investors should thoroughly research property availability and understand that acquiring an STR license may involve significant wait times or may not be possible in the near term. The town's approach prioritizes community character and residential stability over STR development, making this a challenging but potentially lucrative market for those who can secure licenses.

Next step

Found a property in Kennebunkport?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a small coastal town in York County, in southern Maine, with a year-round population of roughly 3,500 residents. It carries the feel of a classic New England seaside village, built around a working harbor, lobster boats, and weathered clapboard storefronts, and it has long been known as both a summer colony and a favorite retreat of U.S. presidents. The town sits about 25 miles south of Portland, Maine, a drive of roughly 35 to 40 minutes along the coast, and it functions as a gateway to the stretch of southern Maine shoreline that includes Kennebunk, Ogunquit, and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.

Dock Square is the walkable heart of Kennebunkport, a cluster of locally owned shops, art galleries, ice cream parlors, and seafood restaurants gathered around a single intersection. Visitors come here to browse, eat, and watch the comings and goings of the harbor, and the square serves as the main staging point for harbor cruises, fishing charters, and short trolley-style tours of the surrounding peninsulas. It sits right in the center of town, within a few minutes' walk of nearly every inn, bed-and-breakfast, and short-term rental in the village.

Just south of Dock Square, jutting into the Atlantic, is Walker's Point, the Bush family summer estate that has helped define the town's identity since the early twentieth century. While the property itself is private and not open to visitors, the surrounding viewpoints along Ocean Avenue offer close-up views of the compound and the rugged granite coastline. Photographers and political-history travelers often make the loop a priority stop, and the drive from Dock Square takes only a few minutes by car or on foot.

A short drive inland from the harbor, the Seashore Trolley Museum preserves one of the largest collections of streetcars and transit vehicles in the country, ranging from horse-drawn cars to early electric trolleys. Visitors can tour the restoration barns and ride a vintage trolley along a short stretch of original right-of-way. It is roughly a ten-minute drive from the center of Kennebunkport and offers a rainy-day option that contrasts nicely with the town's beach and harbor focus.

Together, these attractions give Kennebunkport the rare combination of a picturesque, walkable village, a strong presidential and maritime history, and easy access to southern Maine's beaches and rocky headlands. For short-term rental owners, the town's compact layout, year-round seasonal demand, and proximity to Portland make it a particularly steady market, with summer peak season bookended by foliage visits in the fall and quiet getaways in the shoulder months.