Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Officially Bans Public Camping

During the warmest summer months in Maine, there are few places busier than Old Orchard Beach.

With that many people descending on one small time every summer, places to lay your head at night can be at a premium.

There are dozens of motels and hotels to be found in Old Orchard Beach. But many choose a different option. Camping.

While the town may be home to some world-class campgrounds, a growing issue forced Old Orchard Beach to adopt new rules before the busy 2026 season arrives.

Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Adopts New Stringent Rules For Public Camping

According to Saco Bay News, the Old Orchard Beach town council has adopted an ordinance that will essentially turn public camping in the town into an illegal activity.

The new ordinance prohibits any overnight stays in campers, RVs, storage units as well as tents on public property like the beach or any of the many pay-per-use parking lots.

The only exception to this new rule is when there is a town-approved event.

Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Also Enacts New Rules on Private Property Camping

Inside the same ordinance that essentially bans camping on public property. there's an additional new rule that affects private property as well.

Any temporary living arrangements in a tent, camper, vehicle or structure on private property outside of a designated campground will be limited to 15 days without further town approval.

Old Orchard Beach hopes these new rules will mitigate a growing trend over the past couple years of people camping on public property.