Portland officials set limits on short-term rentals

PORTLAND (AP) — Officials in Portland have passed rules that are aimed at preventing the city’s limited housing stock from being converted to short-term rentals.

The City Council on Monday night voted to cap short-term rentals in non-owner-occupied homes, excluding the islands, at 300 units.

The rules also require all hosts to pay fees to register such units with the city’s Housing Safety Office beginning Jan. 1. No one will be allowed to register more than five short-term rentals in buildings in which they hold a financial interest.

The city had been discussing short-term rental regulations amid the growing popularity of Airbnb, which allows people to advertise their rooms, apartments and homes for a relatively short period.

Airbnb recently agreed to start collecting lodging tax in Maine by April.