Skip to content
Back to Land Use Reform Tracker

State Land Use Enacted Legislation

Bill # State Year Party Topic

LD 1706

ME 2023 D Accessory dwelling units regulations, Affordable housing incentives and financing, Allow ADUs where single-family homes are permitted, By-right zoning, Density Increases, Encouraging duplex, triplex, fourplexes and townhomes, Streamline application

Provided by Furman

Summary

  • Requires a higher affordability level for an affordable housing development to receive a density bonus and extends the implementation date for the affordable housing density bonus program.
  • Expands coverage of the requirement permitting duplexes on undeveloped lots “wherever housing is allowed” to include areas where residential uses are allowed as a conditional use. Extends the implementation date for this requirement.
  • Expands coverage of the requirement permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to be built on the same lot as a single-family dwelling unit anywhere residential uses are allowed to include areas where residential uses are allowed as a conditional use.
  • Provides that an ADU is allowed on a lot that does not conform to a municipal zoning ordinance if the ADU does not further the nonconformity. Also provides that an ADU built without municipal approval must be allowed if it complies with the requirements of the state ADU provision.
  • Provides that a municipality may not categorically prohibit ADUs in the shoreland zone that would otherwise meet requirements established by the Department of Environmental Protection and municipal shoreland zoning ordinances.
  • Provides that the application and permitting process for ADUs that the state law requires municipalities to establish may not require planning board approval.

Provided by lawmakers

Bill Title

An Act to Clarify Statewide Laws Regarding Affordable Housing and Accessory Dwelling Units

Related resources