Bethel, Maine

Short-term rentals are permitted in Bethel, and the town has no dedicated local short-term rental ordinance in force as of May 2026. A proposed ordinance was voted down by the Bethel Select Board in May 2023, 4 to 1, and never reached town meeting. Town officials have continued drafting an updated version focused on registration, off-street parking, and guest caps tied to bedroom count and septic design, but none has been adopted. Neighboring Woodstock began considering its own STR ordinance in late 2024. State rules are the binding baseline. Maine requires annual vacation rental registration with the Department of Health and Human Services, with a fee capped at $50. Maine’s 9% lodging tax applies to all short-term stays. Airbnb collects and remits it automatically, while direct bookings require registration with Maine Revenue Services. No county or city surtax stacks on top. Bethel does not cap rental nights and does not require owner occupancy or primary residence. Zoning generally allows STRs across residential, mixed-use, commercial, and rural residential categories, though condominium and HOA rules may apply at the development level, and conversions of existing multi-unit buildings may trigger building or septic review. Operators remain subject to building permits for guest modifications, septic capacity rules, and basic fire safety such as smoke detectors and extinguishers. Enforcement severity is low and complaint-driven, focused on building code, septic, and fire safety rather than STR-specific rules. Investors planning multi-year holds should watch for a local registration regime and confirm current rules with the town before buying.