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Short-Term Rentals in the Commission's Service Area
Last Updated: September 23, 2024
At the August 13, 2024, Land Use Planning Commission meeting, Commissioners heard from guest speakers Alex Pugh, a Senior Environmental Hydrogeologist and Manager of the Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Program at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and Jeff Dennis, a Biologist and head of the Watershed Management Unit at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The speakers provided information regarding subsurface wastewater disposal systems and potential impacts on water quality from overused or failing systems, both in general and as related to short-term rentals.
At that meeting, the Commission voted to terminate the rulemaking process to allow more time for information gathering, discussion, and deliberation about regulating short-term rentals.
At the September 11, 2024, Commission meeting, the Commissioners directed staff to present additional options for potential regulations based on their feedback to date. Staff will present options at an upcoming Commission meeting. Information will be posted below once the date and time of the meeting are set. For information about how to attend Commission meetings in person or virtually, please see LUPC Calendar and Meeting Materials.
Background
Short-term rentals have a deep history in rural Maine. The rise of user-friendly online reservation platforms and evolving traveler preferences have contributed to the growing popularity of short-term rentals in the Commission's service area. While short-term rental activity can bring positive economic effects, it can also create nuisances for neighbors and have environmental impacts. The Commission has been studying short-term rental activity and exploring potential regulatory options.
During the summer of 2023, the Commission gathered information on how short-term rental activity affects residents and visitors in the area it serves. As part of this process, the Commission sought feedback on a potential regulatory approach for short-term rentals. Commission staff facilitated in-person community meetings in the Millinocket, Moosehead, and Rangeley regions, as these are areas of significant short-term rental activity. A virtual meeting and a written public comment period were also held. The written public comment period closed on August 15, 2023.
The Commission used the information and feedback obtained through its outreach to evaluate and refine its recommended regulatory approach for short-term rentals.
The Commission posted its proposed rule changes regarding short-term rentals to a 45-day public comment period that closed April 17, 2024. Written comments were received from 47 individual parties. A 14-day rebuttal period closed May 1, 2024. One written rebuttal was received. See the Materials on Short-Term Rentals section below for more information.
Materials on Short-Term Rentals
The table below contains links to materials relevant to short-term rentals (STRs) in the Commission’s service area and to the short-term rental study. The most recent materials appear at the top of the table. The table will be updated whenever new materials are available.
| Date | Project Update or Event | File Links |
|---|---|---|
| September 11, 2024 | Commission Meeting |
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| August 7, 2024 | Commission Meeting |
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| June 5, 2024 | Commission Decision on Adoption |
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| May 2, 2024 | Public Comments Received |
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| April 18, 2024 | Public Comments Received |
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| February 28, 2024 | Posted to Public Comment – Comment period closed April 17, 2024 |
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| February 7, 2024 | Staff Recommendation to Post Draft Rule Changes for Public Comment |
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| November 8, 2023 | Commission Presentation and Discussion of Short-term Rentals |
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| November 1, 2023 | Summary of All Comments Received and Recommended Next Steps |
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| July 13, 2023 | Rangeley Region Community Meeting |
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June 29, 2023 | Moosehead Area Community Meeting |
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| June 15, 2023 | Millinocket Area Community Meeting | |
| June 15, 2023 | Community Meetings Begin |
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| May 10, 2023 | Update on STRs in the LUPC Service Area – Presentation to the Commission | |
| May 4, 2023 | Update on STRs in the LUPC Service Area – Memo to the Commission |
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| March 8, 2023 | STRs in the LUPC Service Area - Presentation |
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| March 1, 2023 | STRs in the LUPC Service Area – Memo to the Commission |
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