The Vacation Rental License Application
This document is for any
property owner seeking to operate a Vacation Rental.
The property owner will complete the first page; the Code Enforcement
Officer will review the information provided and then complete the
office section which is determination of use.
View / Download the Process Flow Chart in Adobe PDF
If the property owner qualifies as a vacation rental on a homestead property, after paying the $12 application fee, they will be issued the Town of Bar Harbor Vacation Rental Card.
If they are any other type of vacation rental, we will schedule an appointment with the Fire Department for the one time inspection. After passing the inspection, they will be given a Town of Bar Harbor Vacation Rental Card, after paying the $40 application fee, to display in the unit.
View and download the Vacation Rental License Application in Adobe PDF
The Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist
This five page document prepared by the Fire Department includes all items the Fire Department will be reviewing during their inspection. All items are specific and clearly outlined.
View the Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist
Download the Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist in Adobe PDF
What's Evidence?
Evidence can be receipts from renters, or if an agency is used to coordinate rentals, an affidavit from the agent that the property had been rented as required.
What is the 12 month period?
For this start-up registration process, 12 months is the period between November 15, 2005 and November 15, 2006
Why do I need to show I rented in the last year?
Certain districts no longer allow vacation rentals for non-homestead properties and for properties that have 3 or more dwelling units. Grandfathering privileges apply for non-homestead properties and/or dwelling units on properties that have 3 or 4 dwelling units on them; that is, to maintain the ability to continue renting in a district where it is no longer allowed, the use must remain in existence or it cannot be maintained. This allowance does not apply to dwelling units on properties containing 5 or more dwelling units in certain districts. Check with the Planning/Code office staff to determine if your district allows vacation rentals.
What will be looked at for the inspection?
Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist
What if I sell my homestead property (that I have used as a vacation rental) to a non-homestead property owner in a district where only homestead properties can have vacation rentals?
The new non-homestead owner will not be able to use the dwelling unit(s) as vacation rental(s). What if I buy a condominium unit in a multi-family building as my homestead residence that's in a district that does not allow vacation rentals in multi-family units? Can I rent the unit?
The prohibition of vacation rentals in multi-family units in certain districts does not allow vacation rentals regardless of homestead exemption status, so this unit would not be able to be rented.