Maine state law: driveway access, blocking, and curb cuts

Maine state law addresses driveways in two distinct ways. (1) On-street parking: per 29-A MRS § 2068 (Stopping, standing or parking) and the longstanding state vehicle code, a vehicle may not be parked in front of a public or private driveway or so as to obstruct ingress and egress. Violation is a traffic infraction enforced by state or municipal police; vehicles may be towed under 29-A MRS § 2074. (2) Driveway access onto a state highway: per 23 MRS § 704 (Entrance permit) and the Maine Department of Transportation Driveway and Entrance Rules (17-229 CMR Chapter 299), any new or modified driveway accessing a state or state-aid highway requires a driveway/entrance permit from the Maine DOT Region Office. Permits address sight distance, drainage, culvert sizing, and intersection spacing. Driveway permits on town ways (local streets) are issued by the municipal Public Works Department or Code Enforcement Officer under the local Driveway Ordinance, adopted under 30-A MRS § 3001 home-rule authority. Residential driveway dimensions, paving/surface, maximum number of curb cuts per lot, and shared-driveway rules are set by individual municipal zoning code.

Blocking a driveway under 29-A MRS § 2068 is a traffic infraction (fines typically $50-$100 by Maine Uniform Fine Schedule); vehicle may be towed at owner's expense. Constructing a driveway onto a state highway without a Maine DOT § 704 entrance permit is a civil violation subject to MaineDOT enforcement and may require removal. Municipal driveway-ordinance violations are enforced by the local Code Enforcement Officer with typical $100-$500 fines.