Maine Waterfront Property – Getting Familiar with Shoreland Zoning

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Maine Waterfront Property – Getting Familiar with Shoreland Zoning


Last week I provided a link to information that explained the rules and regulations regarding removal of vegetation on shorefront property. Because we had such a good response to that post, I thought I would offer up some more free information.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has produced a 36 page booklet entitled “Maine Shoreland Zoning – A Handbook For Shoreland Owners”. This booklet explains, in clear language and with the use of drawings and diagrams, the state’s Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act.
While it is meant for informational purposes only and not to be used as a substitute for the law itself, this publication goes a long way in explaining and showing different aspects of the Act. Find here explanations of what a non-conforming structure is, expansion rules for non-conforming structures, what a grandfathered lot is, building setback and lot coverage restrictions, guidelines for erosion control, septic disposal rules, clearing vegetation and timber harvesting guidelines, and an explanation of the roles of local boards and state agencies.
For anyone who currently owns property in the Shoreland Zone or is thinking about purchasing property that lies within the Shoreland Zone, this publication is a “must have”.
The best part is that it’s free and you can download it off a website and print it out on your printer right at home. Click on this hotlink:
http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docstand/szpage.htm ,
then scroll about halfway down the page and you’ll see a link to the pdf file that says “Maine Shoreland Zoning — A Handbook For Shoreland Owners”. Click on that and it will take you to the file. Make sure you have enough paper in your printer as it is a 36 page document – but it’s well worth the expenditure of paper and ink.

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