Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Stoneham, ME?

Yes, short-term rentals appear to be allowed in Stoneham, Maine, but operate in a regulatory gray area with no specific ordinance addressing vacation rentals or Airbnb-type operations.

The Town of Stoneham's current Building Ordinance does not contain explicit provisions governing short-term rentals, vacation rentals, or transient accommodations. However, the general framework of building permits, use permits, and zoning requirements applies to any residential property being used for rental purposes, including short-term stays.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Stoneham, ME

Step 1: Assess Property Zoning and Compliance

• Verify your property meets all dimensional requirements under the Building Ordinance
• Ensure minimum lot size of one acre (43,264 sq. ft.) is met
• Confirm setback requirements: 50 feet from center of town roads, 20 feet from boundary lines, 75 feet from Maine Street (State Route 5)
• Verify structures don't cover more than 20% of the lot
• Check Shoreland Zoning compliance if property is within 250 feet of water bodies

Step 2: Determine Required Permits

• Building Permit: Required for any new construction, alterations, or structural changes
• Change of Use Permit: Required when converting existing property to rental use (e.g., "summer camp to year-round home; garage to additional living space; residential use to business use")
• Plumbing Permit: Required for any plumbing work, with certification by Town Plumbing Inspector
• Certificate of Occupancy: Required before any occupancy of new buildings

Step 3: Submit Applications

• Applications submitted to Town Office on forms (Appendix A referenced in ordinance)
• Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer meetings held 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7:00 PM
• Code Enforcement Officer can independently approve permits for structures under 1,500 sq. ft. outside Shoreland Zone
• Planning Board handles Shoreland Zone applications and non-conforming issues

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Permits and Approvals:

1. Building Permit Application

   • Written application to Town Office
   • Plan showing lot shape and dimensions
   • On-site survey per USDA Soil Conservation Service National Cooperative Soil Survey
   • Location and size of all buildings to be constructed
   • Lines within which buildings/structures will be constructed
   • Existing and intended use of each building
   • Other information necessary for enforcement

2. Plumbing Permit

   • Required before Building Permit issuance
   • Must conform to State of Maine Plumbing Code
   • Certified by Town Stoneham Plumbing Inspector
   • Copy required with building permit application

3. Change of Use Permit

   • Required when changing property use to rental
   • Examples: residential to business use, single-family to multi-unit rental

4. Certificate of Occupancy

   • Required before occupancy
   • Inspection by Code Enforcement Officer
   • Cannot be issued without completed Plumbing Permit approval

Compliance Requirements:

• All electrical work must conform to National Electrical Code and State of Maine laws
• All structures must conform to Town Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
• New driveways must conform to Town Driveway Ordinance
• Foundations must be stone or masonry
• Exterior walls must have approved covering (clapboards, siding, shingles, brick, stone)
• Roofing must use fire-resistant materials

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City/Town Level (Stoneham):

No specific short-term rental ordinance exists. However, general building and use regulations apply:

• Dimensional Standards: 1-acre minimum lot size, various setback requirements
• Shoreland Zoning: Strict compliance required within 250 feet of water bodies
• Use Classification: Short-term rentals would likely be classified as "residential dwelling unit" use
• Business Use Implications: If operated as commercial enterprise, may trigger additional requirements

County Level:

No county-specific regulations identified from provided content.

State Level (Maine):

State-level short-term rental regulations apply. While specific Maine STR laws weren't provided in the content, Maine has been actively regulating short-term rentals at the state level, including:

• Registration requirements
• Taxation (lodging tax, income tax)
• Safety and health standards
• Local ordinance compliance

Contact Information for Local Authority

Stoneham Town Office

• Address: Stoneham Town Office (specific address not provided in content)
• Meeting Location: Stoneham Town Office
• Meeting Schedule: Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer meet 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7:00 PM local time

Key Officials:

• Code Enforcement Officer (CEO): Elected by voters at town meeting or appointed by Selectmen
• Planning Board: Reviews applications and provides recommendations
• Local Plumbing Inspector: Certifies plumbing installations
• Board of Appeals: Handles administrative appeals and variances

Contact Process:

1. Submit initial inquiries to Town Office
2. Schedule meetings with Code Enforcement Officer
3. Appear before Planning Board for complex applications
4. Board of Appeals for administrative appeals (within 30 days of CEO/Planning Board decision)

Important Regulatory Notes

Permit Timeline:

• Building Permits expire if work not commenced within 1 year
• Work must be substantially completed within 2 years
• Variance approvals expire if work not commenced within 1 year

Violation Consequences:

• Fines ranging from $5.00 to $100.00 per violation
• Each day of continued violation constitutes separate offense
• Court costs borne by convicted violator
• Legal action authorized through Municipal Attorney

Appeal Process:

• Appeals must be filed within 30 days of CEO/Planning Board decision
• Board of Appeals holds public hearings within 10 days
• Appeals process: CEO → Board of Appeals → Municipal Officers → Superior Court

Source Pages

• Stoneham Building Ordinance: www.stoneham-maine.com/Forms_and_Ordinances/building_ordinance.pdf
• Note: The second provided URL (real estate blog) references Massachusetts regulations and is not applicable to Stoneham, Maine

Investment Recommendations

Given the lack of specific short-term rental regulations in Stoneham, investors should:

1. Consult with local authorities before proceeding to clarify compliance requirements
2. Obtain legal counsel familiar with Maine short-term rental law
3. Consider state-level regulations that may apply regardless of local ordinances
4. Plan for compliance with all standard building, plumbing, and safety codes
5. Monitor for future ordinance development as Maine communities continue to regulate STRs

This guide is based on available ordinance content as of the most recent amendments (March 3, 2007). Stoneham may have adopted additional regulations since this date that specifically address short-term rentals.