Portland, ME · City ordinance (voter-approved)
2.2%
In Portland, Maine, the rent on a covered unit can rise by the Allowable Increase Percentage: 2.2% for increases in 2026 and 2.6% in 2027, once every 12 months, with 90 days' written notice.
The Allowable Increase Percentage for calendar year 2026; it rises to 2.6% for 2027.
By calendar year, as published each September.
Source: City of Portland, Maine (Rent Control & Rental Housing Rights).
| Period | Allowed | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4.3% | City of Portland, Maine |
| 2023 | 7% | City of Portland, Maine |
| 2024 | 2% | City of Portland, Maine |
| 2025 | 2.5% | City of Portland, Maine |
| 2026 | 2.2% | City of Portland, Maine |
| 2027 | 2.6% | City of Portland, Maine |
Recent changes
Portland's Allowable Increase Percentage for calendar year 2027 is 2.6%: 70% of the 3.7% rise in Greater Boston CPI from July 2025 to July 2026. The city sets the figure on September 1 each year. For increases in 2026 it is 2.2%.
Official source: City of Portland, Maine: Rent Control & Rental Housing Rights ↗
§ 1 · The formula
70% of Boston-area CPI
70% of the change in CPI-U for the Greater Boston metro area over the preceding 12 months, published each September 1 for the next calendar year. July 2025 to July 2026 CPI rose 3.7%, so 2027 is 2.6%. Landlords can bank unused increases, but no increase can exceed 10%.
Law: Portland Rent Control Ordinance (City Code ch. 6, art. XII, approved by voters November 2020).
§ 2 · Coverage
§ 3 · Timing
Notice: At least 90 days' written notice, signed, with the start date of the tenancy, the effective date, the amount, any remaining banked rent and the reason. Only once every 12 months.
Next change: The 2028 Allowable Increase Percentage is published around September 1, 2027.
§ 2a · Local rules
When a tenant leaves voluntarily, the landlord may raise the rent by 5% of the Base Rent for the new tenant.
Source: “A landlord may increase the rent by 5% of the Base Rent when a new tenant occupies a unit, but only if the previous tenancy was terminated voluntarily.”
Even with banked increases, no single increase may exceed 10%.
Source: “At no time may a Landlord raise rent of a Covered Unit by more than 10%.”
§ 4 · Sources
“Therefore, the Allowable Increase Percentage for calendar year 2027 is 2.6%.”
“Before increasing the rent of a Covered Unit, a landlord must give tenants notice of any rent increase at least 90 days in advance.”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
§ 5 · Questions
In Portland, Maine, the rent on a covered unit can rise by the Allowable Increase Percentage: 2.2% for increases in 2026 and 2.6% in 2027, once every 12 months, with 90 days' written notice.
70% of the change in CPI-U for the Greater Boston metro area over the preceding 12 months, published each September 1 for the next calendar year. July 2025 to July 2026 CPI rose 3.7%, so 2027 is 2.6%. Landlords can bank unused increases, but no increase can exceed 10%.
Units in an owner-occupied building with 2, 3 or 4 units. Publicly controlled or subsidized units (Section 8, GA, etc.). Accessory dwelling units.
The 2028 Allowable Increase Percentage is published around September 1, 2027.
From City of Portland, Maine: “Rent Control & Rental Housing Rights”, which we last checked on October 18, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.
Elsewhere