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Wells, ME

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STR Regulations for Wells, Maine

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

  • Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in the Town of Wells and require an annual STR license issued by the Town.
  • STRs are defined in Town ordinance as the rental of any dwelling unit or portion thereof for fewer than 30 days to transient guests; lodging facilities are excluded and do not require an STR license.
  • While licensing is required, the Town emphasizes that the license does not constitute a finding of compliance with building, land use, fire prevention, life safety, or other applicable codes.
  • STRs must comply with length-of-stay, guest-count, parking, and posting requirements, among other ordinance provisions.
  • Lodging facilities (hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts) are separately regulated and are not considered STRs.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Wells?

Wells hosts earn a median $29,974/year with $345 ADR and 54% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $55,693+ per year.

See the full Wells market breakdown

How to Start a STR Business in Wells, ME

  1. Confirm zoning eligibility. While the memo does not specify zoning restrictions, ensure your property is not in a zone that prohibits rentals of this type. If needed, consult the Planning Department.
  2. Apply for a Town of Wells Short-Term Rental License. A third-party software vendor will be used for online application and fee collection; the Town will coordinate the notice, application, review, and approval processes.
  3. Post the license in a conspicuous location at the STR and maintain compliance with occupancy, length of stay, and parking requirements.
  4. Maintain records of guest stays and comply with any posting/notice and renewal requirements.
  5. Renew the STR license annually, and anticipate Board of Selectmen approval for new licenses on a monthly basis. The Town updates its STR list monthly and reviews notices of violations.
  6. If not using online payment, be prepared for the Town to service fee collection via alternate means.
  7. Note that the STR license is not an inspection or approval of compliance with applicable codes; owners remain responsible for compliance and insurance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Short-Term Rental License application (online via third-party portal; applicants must submit required information, fees, and consents).
  • License fee (amount not specified in the memo; payment via online portal or alternative arrangement with Town).
  • License renewal documentation for annual renewals.
  • Compliance with STR ordinance: posting the license, adhering to length of stay, guest limits, and parking spaces (specific numeric limits not stated in the memo).
  • Maintain evidence of compliance with applicable building, land use, fire prevention, life safety, and other codes (though no inspection is performed by the Town for the STR license).
  • If the Town issues notice of violations, respond and cure within timelines specified by the ordinance.

Specific Regulations for STRs in Wells, ME (City/County/State)

  • Town of Wells Short-Term Rental Ordinance: requires an annual STR license; defines STRs; includes licensing requirements, application, fees, notice and posting requirements, renewals, and enforcement provisions.
  • Lodging facilities are excluded from the STR definition and are not subject to the STR ordinance.
  • Length of stay, guest limits, and parking requirements are specified in the ordinance but not detailed in the memo; owners must adhere to these numeric restrictions.
  • Licensing does not constitute a finding of compliance with building, fire prevention, life safety, or other codes.
  • The Town proposes to use a third-party software vendor to identify advertised STRs and communicate licensing requirements; notices will be mailed on Town letterhead and enforcement actions pursued as needed.
  • York County: no specific STR rules were provided in the content.
  • State of Maine: no specific state-level STR statutes or rules were detailed in the content; owners must comply with applicable state laws.

Contact Information for Local Authority (Licensing and Enforcement)

  • Town of Wells, Code Enforcement Office (STR licensing and enforcement)
  • Jodine Adams, Code Enforcement Officer
  • Michael Livingston, Engineer/Planner
  • Address: 208 Sanford Road, Wells, Maine 04090
  • Phone: 207-646-5187
  • Official website (where to verify application and ordinance details): wellstown.org

Important Dates and Operational Notes

  • Board of Selectmen approvals occur monthly for new licenses.
  • Annual renewals are processed in April (with Board approvals as required).
  • The Town updates its STR list monthly; the number of active STRs fluctuates seasonally, especially near beach areas.
  • Notices of violations may be issued on Town letterhead; owners must respond promptly and correct violations to avoid court action.
  • Online application and fee collection are integrated with a third-party service; the Town will assist with questions, processing, and servicing of payments where needed.

Links to Source Pages

Risk and Compliance Notes for Investors

  • The STR license does not imply code compliance; obtain independent inspections, maintain fire and life safety standards, and verify zoning compliance to mitigate liability.
  • The Town may face staffing increases to manage STRs; expect the Town to enforce requirements through notice-and-cure and potential court action for non-compliance.
  • Beach-area STRs are prevalent and historically common; seasonal spikes will influence demand, compliance reviews, and operational oversight.

This guidance is based solely on the Town of Wells’ memo; for definitive rules, numeric limits, and application details, consult the full STR ordinance on the Town website and contact the Code Enforcement Office.

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Wells

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
3/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Wells Market Analysis

Photos of Wells

Overview of Wells

Wells is a coastal town in York County, Maine, with a year-round population of roughly 11,000 residents. It sits along the southern Maine Atlantic shoreline, about 30 miles south of Portland (the nearest major city) and roughly 95 miles north of Boston. The town has a relaxed, family-friendly character shaped by long sandy beaches, tidal salt marshes, and a low-rise development pattern that keeps the scenery refreshingly understated. Wells is best known as a classic Maine summer beach town and as a comfortable gateway to the broader southern Maine coast, including the neighboring communities of Ogunquit and the Kennebunks.

Wells Beach and Moody Beach are the town's signature draws, offering roughly four miles of soft, walkable sand facing the open Atlantic. They draw families and repeat summer visitors for swimming, tide-pooling, and traditional boardwalk strolls, and they sit only a few minutes from the heart of town. Together they are the single biggest reason travelers plan a Wells vacation in the first place.

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge has its administrative headquarters in Wells and protects more than nine thousand acres of salt marsh, upland, and forested habitat along the southern Maine coast. The refuge offers a network of walking trails, observation areas, and seasonal programs that highlight migratory birds and estuarine life, with the main trail complex only a short drive from the town center.

Just to the north, the town of Ogunquit is famous for the Marginal Way, a roughly mile-and-a-half cliff walk that traces the rocky coastline between Ogunquit Beach and the fishing village of Perkins Cove. It is one of the most photographed shorelines in Maine and lies about a 10- to 15-minute drive from Wells. A few minutes further south, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport offer a walkable mix of boutiques, galleries, lobster shacks, and the storied coastal scenery that has long attracted New England vacationers.

A short drive inland leads to Mount Agamenticus, a small but rewarding peak in the town of York rising about 700 feet above sea level. Its summit rewards hikers with panoramic views of the Atlantic, the White Mountains on a clear day, and the surrounding forests, and the area offers year-round hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.

Wells makes a compelling base for a short-term rental because it combines a low-key, year-round coastal atmosphere with quick access to some of southern Maine's most iconic experiences. Guests can spend mornings on Wells Beach, afternoons walking the cliffs of Ogunquit or browsing the Kennebunks, and evenings dining back in town, all without ever needing a long drive. That mix of natural beauty, wildlife, and proximity to multiple popular destinations gives Wells broad appeal for couples, families, and shoulder-season travelers alike.

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