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State Land Use Enacted Legislation

Bill # State Year Party Topic

LD 1829

ME 2025 D Accessory dwelling units regulations, Affordable housing incentives and financing, Allow ADUs where single-family homes are permitted, Building code reform, By-right zoning, Density bonus, Density Increases, Encouraging duplex, triplex, fourplexes and townhomes, Limit local requirements on ADU occupants, Lot Size Requirements, Technical assistance

Provided by Furman

Summary

  • Specifies fire protection requirements in accessory dwelling units (ADUs), outlining that fire suppression sprinklers are not required unless the ADU is within or attached to a structure of more than 2 dwelling units, including ADUs.
  • Adds height allowance, specifically that new affordable housing developments are permitted to exceed municipal height restrictions by no less than one story or 14 feet.
  • Allows a residential area to have three dwelling units, attached or detached, including ADUs, per lot, or four dwelling units if the lot is located in a designated growth area.
  • Prohibits municipalities from enforcing minimum lot sizes greater than 5,000 square feet for units served by public water and sewer.
  • Bans ordinances that limit the rate of residential growth in designated areas.
  • Streamlines the approval process by omitting the planning board’s approval requirement for four or fewer dwelling units within a structure.

Provided by lawmakers

Bill Title

An Act to Build Housing for Maine Families and Attract Workers to Maine Businesses by Amending the Laws Governing Housing Density

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