Bar Harbor, Maine Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Bar Harbor Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating4.6
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Competition
2.8 -
Real Estate Cost
N/A -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
4.0 -
Rental Rates
6.9
Bar Harbor, Maine Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 5,089
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Hancock
- Airports
- Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
- Bangor International Airport (BGR)
Want to learn more about Bar Harbor?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Bar Harbor rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Bar Harbor rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Bar Harbor.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Bar Harbor guests.
Interested in other Maine cities?
Check out the Maine Airbnb rules directory
What makes Bar Harbor a great place to invest?
- Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park, a pristine 49,000-acre natural paradise known for its granite peaks, lush forests, and stunning ocean vistas. Visitors can enjoy 120 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads for biking, and numerous opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
- Scenic Coastal Views: Bar Harbor is renowned for its breathtaking coastal scenery, with dramatic cliffs, rocky shorelines, and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Ocean Trail is a popular route for leisurely walks, where visitors can take in the sights of crashing waves, rugged coastlines, and the famous Thunder Hole.
- Whale Watching Tours: Bar Harbor is an ideal base for embarking on unforgettable whale watching excursions, with several companies offering daily tours during the summer months. Visitors have the chance to spot humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as dolphins, seals, and various seabird species.
- Maritime History: Bar Harbor's rich maritime history is evident in its well-preserved 19th-century mansions, lighthouses, and museums. The Bar Harbor Historical Society offers guided walking tours, while the Abbe Museum provides an immersive experience into the Native American history of the area.
- Charming Downtown: The picturesque downtown area of Bar Harbor boasts a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants, all within walking distance of the harbor. Visitors can browse local art, indulge in delicious seafood dishes, and sample local craft beers at the many charming eateries and pubs.
- Outdoor Adventure: Bar Harbor offers a range of outdoor activities for adventure enthusiasts, from kayaking and sailing to rock climbing and horseback riding. The area's numerous lakes and ponds provide excellent fishing opportunities, while the surrounding forests are perfect for nature enthusiasts seeking solitude and tranquility.
- Seasonal Festivals: Throughout the year, Bar Harbor hosts a variety of festivals and events that celebrate its unique culture and heritage. From the annual Bar Harbor Music Festival in July to the Acadia Night Sky Festival in September, visitors can experience an authentic taste of this vibrant coastal community.
Bar Harbor Nearby Cities
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13 miles away
- Rating: 4.5
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43 miles away
- Rating: 7.3
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Local Short-Term Rental News for Bar Harbor
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Bar Harbor, Maine
Common terms for Bar Harbor short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Bar Harbor has a description approximately 1,789 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 623 listings in Bar Harbor, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Acadia National, Bar Harbor, Cottage, Desert Island, Road, Hearth Inn, Mount Desert, Blue Hill, Deck, and Maine.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Bar Harbor?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Bar Harbor involve Hiking, Swimming, Whale Watching, Cycling, and Boating. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Swimming
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Whale Watching
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Cycling
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Boating
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Sailing
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Antiquing
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Mountain Climbing
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Wildlife Viewing
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Kayaking
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Mountain Biking
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Adventure Activities
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Bar Harbor, including Acadia National Park, Acadia National Park's Visitors Center, Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor Whale Watching, and Village Green. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Acadia National Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
Included on 83% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cadillac Mountain
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Bar Harbor Whale Watching
Included on 67% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Village Green
Included on 50% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Telephone Museum
Included on 1% of listings
What’s the weather like in Bar Harbor, Maine?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 53°, while the average low is about 38°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 38 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 43 inches per year. The humidity levels in Bar Harbor are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
20° Low 34° High
Spring
March through May
36° Low 50° High
Summer
June through August
55° Low 71° High
Fall
September through November
43° Low 56° High
Cities Near Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, Maine, is located in Hancock County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
