South Portland, Maine Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
South Portland Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.3
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Competition
8.7 -
Real Estate Cost
5.3 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
5.4 -
Rental Rates
5.8
South Portland, 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
- 26,498
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June to September
- County
- Cumberland
- Airports
- Portland International Jetport (PWM)
- Bangor International Airport (BGR)
Want to learn more about South Portland?
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 South Portland rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the South Portland rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in South Portland.
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 South Portland guests.
Interested in other Maine cities?
Check out the Maine Airbnb rules directory
What makes South Portland a great place to invest?
- Proximity to Popular Tourist Destinations: South Portland is in close proximity to several popular tourist destinations, including the famous Portland Head Light, a historic lighthouse located in the nearby town of Cape Elizabeth, and the Old Port district in Portland, known for its cobblestone streets, historic brick buildings, and vibrant waterfront.
- Abundance of Outdoor Activities: The city offers a plethora of outdoor activities, from sailing and kayaking in Casco Bay to hiking and biking along the Greenbelt Walkway. This attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round, ensuring a steady demand for short-term rentals.
- Convenient Transportation: South Portland is served by the Portland International Jetport, making it easily accessible for tourists flying in from other parts of the country or the world. Additionally, its proximity to Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1 makes it convenient for travelers arriving by car.
- Educational Institutions: The city is home to the Southern Maine Community College, which attracts students from all over the state and beyond. This creates a demand for short-term rentals, especially at the beginning and end of the academic year.
- Growing Food Scene: South Portland has a growing food scene with an increasing number of restaurants, breweries, and food trucks. This attracts food lovers and culinary tourists, further increasing the demand for short-term rentals.
South Portland Nearby Cities
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11 miles away
- Rating: 5.9
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19 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in South Portland?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in South Portland has increased 13% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $313, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$535,756
13% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$313
9% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,225
1% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for South Portland, Maine
Common terms for South Portland 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 South Portland has a description approximately 1,194 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 237 listings in South Portland, 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 Portland, Beach, Maine, Place, Beautiful, Yard, Quiet, Old Orchard, Spacious, and Family.
What are the most popular tourist activities in South Portland?
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 South Portland involve Boating, Wildlife Viewing, Cycling, Antiquing, and Whale Watching. 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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Boating
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Wildlife Viewing
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Cycling
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Antiquing
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Whale Watching
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Water Parks
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Swimming
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Museums
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Health Spa
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Kayaking
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Hiking
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Beach
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in South Portland, including Maine Mall, Maine Medical Center, Cross Insurance Arena, Old Orchard Beach Pier, and Portland Head Light. 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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Regional Landmark
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Maine Mall
Included on 77% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Higgins Beach
Included on 74% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Maine Medical Center
Included on 71% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Old Orchard Beach
Included on 71% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Funtown Splashtown USA
Included on 71% of listings
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Local Landmark
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University of New England
Included on 71% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Old Orchard Beach Pier
Included on 69% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Portland Museum of Art
Included on 69% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Portland Head Light
Included on 66% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Palace Playland
Included on 46% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Engine
Included on 40% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cross Insurance Arena
Included on 37% of listings
What’s the weather like in South Portland, Maine?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 55°, while the average low is about 40°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 37 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 48 inches per year. The humidity levels in South Portland 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 35° High
Spring
March through May
37° Low 52° High
Summer
June through August
59° Low 75° High
Fall
September through November
43° Low 58° High
Cities Near South Portland
South Portland, Maine, is located in Cumberland County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
