🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Bar Harbor, ME
Bar Harbor Rewrites the Rulebook: New STR Requirements Without the Surprise Inspections
Bar Harbor Tightens VR-1 Rules While Cutting Controversial Inspections
Bar Harbor homeowners who rent space in their primary residences will be waking up to a new set of short-term rental rules this Wednesday.
After weeks of written comments and a fair bit of confusion, the Town Council voted unanimously to approve a revised VR-1 ordinance that’s significantly longer, more detailed, and, according to officials, more legally durable than the version it replaces.
For many residents, the biggest sigh of relief came from what didn’t make the final cut: surprise inspections. Early drafts tied STR registration to consent for interior inspections, prompting fears of intrusive enforcement and possible constitutional overreach. Council Chair Valerie Peacock acknowledged the wave of concern, noting that public comments focused heavily on inspection language, punitive violations, and the expanded primary-residence verification process. In response, Town Manager James Smith proposed an amendment removing the inspection requirement from the licensing process entirely.
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The final version still allows inspections, but only under the same conditions already required under state law: consent or an administrative warrant. Exterior checks from public vantage points remain permissible, but STR owners will no longer face penalties simply for declining interior entry.
So, what actually changes this week? The revisions home in on strengthening how Bar Harbor verifies primary residency for VR-1 rentals—those hosted in an owner’s full-time home or on the same property. Unlike VR-2 rentals, which are capped and located outside an owner’s primary residence, VR-1s are meant to be more flexible. The new ordinance requires owners to provide three forms of proof from a list of seven options, or they can use an alternate verification process. There are now clearer guidelines for trusts, family estate arrangements, and residency claims that involve adult children or parents.
Town officials say the changes are meant to reduce ambiguity, not punish responsible owners. “The goal was to add some clarity,” said Vice Chair Maya Caines, adding that the original draft needed more refinement to become a workable program. The council’s unanimous vote suggests they believe they’ve reached that point.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Resident Charles Sidman was the only public speaker at Tuesday’s meeting, arguing that while the intentions may be good, the ordinance is “not yet ready for enactment” and could face judicial pushback. Smith countered that the town attorney found the ordinance legally sound and aligned with statewide norms.
A housekeeping amendment adjusting language and renumbering also passed unanimously. The new minimum fine for operating without a valid registration remains at $1,500, and the ordinance has grown from six pages to more than eleven—proof that clarity sometimes takes space.
As Wednesday approaches, Bar Harbor’s STR community will be adjusting to a system that demands clearer proof of residency but backs off the most contentious compliance tools. Whether this version earns long-term approval from homeowners remains to be seen, but for now, the town has charted its course.
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