Local landlord and tenant rules in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine has local rules on rent regulation (Portland City Code §§ 6-231, 6-234 (Rent Control Ordinance)), security deposits (Portland City Code § 6-223.2), application fees (Portland City Code § 6-223.1) and 2 more kinds of rule, on top of Maine law.
Local rules in Portland, Maine
Rent regulation
Most rental units in Portland are covered by its rent control ordinance: the rent may rise once in 12 months, by the City’s allowable increase percentage — 2.2% for 2026 — plus up to 5% of the base rent when a new tenant moves in after the last one left voluntarily, and any increases banked from earlier years, but never by more than 10% at once. Units in an owner-occupied building of two to four units, subsidized units and accessory dwelling units are exempt.
Source: Portland City Code §§ 6-231, 6-234 (Rent Control Ordinance). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Security deposits
A Portland landlord may not require a security deposit of more than one month’s rent — less than the two months Maine law allows.
Source: Portland City Code § 6-223.2. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Application fees
A Portland landlord may not charge a rental application fee.
Source: Portland City Code § 6-223.1. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Rental registration
Every residential rental unit in Portland must be registered with the City each year by December 31, and a new rental as soon as it enters the market. The fee is $55 a unit a year since July 1, 2026; a renewal more than 14 days late adds $50 a unit, and more than 45 days late $200.
Source: Portland City Code ch. 6, art. VI (Residential Rental Unit Registration). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Other landlord obligations
Before raising the rent of a covered unit, a Portland landlord must give the tenant at least 90 days’ written, signed notice stating when the tenancy began, when the increase takes effect and how much it is.
Source: Portland City Code § 6-234. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Other landlord obligations
A Portland landlord must give every tenant the City’s Rental Housing Rights document at the start of the tenancy and whenever it is updated, and keep the tenant’s signed acknowledgement for three years.
Source: Portland City Code § 6-238. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Maine rules that apply in Portland
Every Maine rule Seayora publishes.
The homes these rules cover in Portland
53.1% of the occupied homes in Portland are rented, about 17,520 households, a share higher than across Maine (25.7%).
The median gross rent is $1,577 a month, higher than across Maine ($1,139); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
51.3% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
76.5% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Portland | Cumberland County | Maine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 53.1% (±1.9 points) | 30.2% | 25.7% |
| Median gross rent | $1,577 (±$35) | $1,589 | $1,139 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 51.3% (±3.7 points) | 49.9% | 48.4% |
| Median income of renter households | $54,776 (±$4,953) | $59,461 | $44,257 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 76.5% (±3.0 points) | 54.8% | 54.5% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 32.6% (±1.9 points) | 15.0% | 9.1% |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6% (±1.2 points) | 2.9% | 4.2% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 32.0% (±2.2 points) | 23.3% | 20.4% |
All housing figures for Portland: rent by bedrooms, home values, property taxes, commute.
Source: US Census Bureau, Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Portland. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Questions about Portland’s local rules
Does Portland have rent control?
Most rental units in Portland are covered by its rent control ordinance: the rent may rise once in 12 months, by the City’s allowable increase percentage — 2.2% for 2026 — plus up to 5% of the base rent when a new tenant moves in after the last one left voluntarily, and any increases banked from earlier years, but never by more than 10% at once. Units in an owner-occupied building of two to four units, subsidized units and accessory dwelling units are exempt. (Portland City Code §§ 6-231, 6-234 (Rent Control Ordinance))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Portland?
2% for 2026 — plus up to 5% of the base rent when a new tenant moves in after the last one left voluntarily, and any increases banked from earlier years, but never by more than 10% at once. (Portland City Code §§ 6-231, 6-234 (Rent Control Ordinance))
Does Portland limit security deposits?
A Portland landlord may not require a security deposit of more than one month’s rent — less than the two months Maine law allows. (Portland City Code § 6-223.2)
Does Portland limit rental application fees?
A Portland landlord may not charge a rental application fee. (Portland City Code § 6-223.1)
Do landlords have to register rentals in Portland?
Every residential rental unit in Portland must be registered with the City each year by December 31, and a new rental as soon as it enters the market. The fee is $55 a unit a year since July 1, 2026; a renewal more than 14 days late adds $50 a unit, and more than 45 days late $200. (Portland City Code ch. 6, art. VI (Residential Rental Unit Registration))
What else does Portland require of landlords?
Before raising the rent of a covered unit, a Portland landlord must give the tenant at least 90 days’ written, signed notice stating when the tenancy began, when the increase takes effect and how much it is. (Portland City Code § 6-234) A Portland landlord must give every tenant the City’s Rental Housing Rights document at the start of the tenancy and whenever it is updated, and keep the tenant’s signed acknowledgement for three years. (Portland City Code § 6-238)
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.