This ordinance regulates those who use the aquifer for the purpose of water extraction and prohibits the extraction of water to the extent that it causes undesirable changes in groundwater flow, pollution, and sedimentation or erosion. The ordinance is designed to provide general provisions that maintain safe and healthful conditions associated with groundwater use and extraction... Read More

This ordinance works to balance the harvest of shellfish with the protection and conservation of the resource primarily by establishing restrictions on the size and amount of shellfish harvested each year... Read More

Auburn, Maine has recently implemented a zoning code change that allows Planned Unit Development (PUD). The PUD can be located in residential, recreation/residential, commercial, and industrial zones provided that public sewer is available. The code outlines the permitted uses of each PUD zone and discusses dwelling units, off-street parking, design, density, and more. To make it easier to establish a PUD, the district allows changes in the dimensional requirements typically established for each zone. Additionally, the planning board can.. Read More

Allows ADUs to provide additional housing choice for its residents. This code focuses on moderate income housing and requires the owner of the primary dwelling and ADU reside in one of the units, but does not specify the requisite time period. The ADU may not exceed 900 square feet or 35% of the primary dwelling unit size. Biddeford sets moderately strict requirements for stairways, balconies, parking, entrances, exterior materials, lot orientation, and number of occupants... Read More

Under its Green Building Code, the City of Portland, Maine requires all new construction and renovation projects having total construction costs of greater than $250,000 to attain United States Green Building Council’s (USBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Silver level, if the project is either: (1) to be owned or occupied by the City and is of at least 5,000 square feet in floor area; or (2) to be funded in whole or in part by the City and is of at least 10,000 square feet in floor area. Buildings mus.. Read More

Within its Zoning Code, the city of Belfast in Maine has incorporated a chapter to enable its citizens to participate in a Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) Program. The PACE Program will create opportunities for “owners of qualifying propert[ies]” to “access financing for energy saving improvements to their properties.” This Program, under Belfast’s chapter, creates these financing opportunities for not only solar thermal systems, but also many other renewable sources such as photovoltaic systems, biomass systems, landfill gas to energy .. Read More

Chapter 90 of the City of Belfast’s Code lists site plan criteria. Those criteria include pollution control, groundwater access, landscaping, and access to direct sunlight for an abutting property owner for solar energy system. Sec. 90 -42(17) goes on to state that the Planning Board may prohibit, restrict, or control development in order to protect and ensure access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. .. Read More

The Town of Gorham’s density bonus provisions provide a maximum density bonus of 25% over the allowable base density for residential and nonresidential uses in planned unit developments (PUD) in exchange for public amenities, including solar access and energy efficient design, layout, and construction. To qualify for a bonus of 5 percent above the allowable base density, a PUD may provide solar access to 40 percent of the dwelling units and ensure through appropriate deed restrictions that dwelling units will utilize solar energy systems for wa.. Read More