Maine's Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act sets minimum building setbacks from great ponds, rivers, streams, and coastal waters. Every municipality must adopt these standards, and DEP enforces if local rules fall short.
The Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act, 38 M.R.S. §§ 435-449-A, requires every Maine municipality to adopt a shoreland zoning ordinance regulating land within 250 feet of great ponds, rivers, and tidal waters and within 75 feet of certain streams. Principal structures must be set back at least 100 feet (horizontal) from the normal high-water line of great ponds and rivers flowing to great ponds, and at least 75 feet from other water bodies and coastal wetlands. The Department of Environmental Protection issues state guidelines and may impose its own ordinance if a town fails to comply. These setbacks apply statewide regardless of local zoning.
Civil penalties of $100 to $25,000 per day under 38 M.R.S. § 349, plus mandatory restoration of vegetation and removal of non-conforming structures.
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See how Portland's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
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