Kittery, ME Zoning Ordinance

The Town Planner must cause written notice of the public hearing to be sent by postage paid, first-class mail (cost to be paid by applicant) to all owners of abutting property, as herein defined (within 150 feet of the property), and by regular mail to the Code Enforcement Officer, the Commissioner of Public Works and, where applicable, the Port Authority or Conservation Commission, at least seven days prior to the scheduled date. Failure of the parties to receive said notices does not invalidate any Board action.

These requirements relate solely to the notification of property owners who must be notified in writing when new development or redevelopment is proposed within 150 feet of their property boundary(ies). This notification must include intertidal land below the normal high-water line, but not that land beyond 100 rods (1,650 feet) distant from the normal high-water line, or that land below the normal low-water line. Where question exists regarding to ownership of intertidal lands, consult Figure 1 entitled, "Formula for Determining Ownership of Intertidal Land as a Guide for Identifying Abutters," attached to this chapter.

Figure 1. Abutters

Figure 1 Formula for Determining Ownership of Intertidal Land as a Guide for Identifying Abutters

For a wireless communication system facility (WCSF) plan application, the Town Planner must cause written notice of the hearing sent by postage paid, first-class mail, provided by the applicant, at least seven days prior to the hearing to all owners of abutting property and property located within 1,000 feet of any property line of the property located within 1,000 feet of the proposed telecommunications facility. The applicant must provide this notification and must present proof of such notification to the Town Planner. The notification must include: the name of the applicant, location of the property, a brief description of the project, and a plot plan identifying the proposed site layout in relation to nearby streets and properties.

§ 16.5.3 Accessory dwelling units.

Purpose. It is the intent of this article to provide standards that enable homeowners to create accessory dwelling units that are compatible with this title and to provide a means for residents, including seniors, single parents, and families with grown children, to remain in their homes and neighborhoods, and increase the housing stock of existing neighborhoods in a manner that is compatible with their size and scale, and allow more efficient use of existing housing stock and infrastructure, and provide a broader range of affordable housing options. The purpose of this article is not intended to create a new supply of short-term rental (STR) units, such as those commonly advertised to tourists.

Applicability.

An accessory dwelling unit is allowed in all zoning districts where the use is permitted in Chapter 16.4. The unit must be located:

Within an existing structure, either principal or accessory on the property; or

Attached to the existing principal structure, sharing a common wall; or

Within a new accessory structure constructed for this purpose on the property.

Outside of the Shoreland Overlay Zone, as defined in Chapter 16.4.

[Added 11-27-2023]

Accessory dwelling units that have a valid certificate of occupancy or have vested rights in the permitting process with an active building permit as of April 28, 2020, are exempted from the use standard, § 16.5.3D(3).

Application for accessory dwelling unit.

An application for an accessory dwelling unit must be made by the owner of the parcel on which the primary residential unit sits. The completed application and associated fees must be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer for review.

Applications for an accessory dwelling unit that meets the unit size standards and development standards contained in this article may be approved administratively and require approval by the Code Enforcement Officer.

An accessory dwelling unit that fails to meet the standards provided in this article may not receive administrative approval; however, the accessory dwelling unit may still be permitted pursuant to § 16.5.3D(4) below.

Accessory dwelling unit standards.

Lot standards.

[Amended 11-27-2023]

(Reserved)

Number of accessory dwelling units per lot. No more than one accessory dwelling unit is permitted on a lot that is located in a limited growth area as depicted in Kittery's Comprehensive Plan. Up to two accessory dwelling units are permitted on a lot that is located in a targeted growth area.

Zone lot size and unit density. The property on which an accessory dwelling unit is located must meet the size required by the applicable zoning standards for the principal residence, except in the case of legally nonconforming lots. However, an accessory dwelling unit is exempt from the density requirements of the zone in which it is located.

Setbacks and coverage. Yard setbacks for the zone must be met. However, for legally nonconforming lots where an accessory dwelling unit cannot meet the zone's side and rear yard setbacks, the percentage by which a lot is smaller than the required lot size for the zone will dictate the required setback for that lot. For example, a 30,000 square foot legally nonconforming lot in a zone that requires 40,000 square feet would require side and rear yard setbacks that are 75% of the zone's side and rear yard setbacks. Building coverage requirements will remain as required by the zone.

Utility connections. Accessory dwelling units must be connected to adequate water and wastewater services.

Public sewer.

Service: written verification must be provided of adequate service to support the additional flow from the Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment Facilities.

Fees. Payment of appropriate fees for connection to the municipal sewer system is required prior to obtaining the certificate of occupancy.

Septic systems. Verification of adequate sewage disposal for subsurface waste disposal is required. The septic system, existing or proposed, must be verified as adequate or reconstructed as required, pursuant to 30-A M.R.S. § 4221. Plans for subsurface waste disposal must be prepared by a Maine-licensed site evaluator in full compliance with the State of Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, 10-144 CMR Ch. 241.

Public water. Verification, in writing, is required from the Kittery water district for volume and supply.

Wells. Verification of the potable water supply for private wells is required. Tests of the existing well or proposed well, if applicable, must indicate that the water supply is potable and acceptable for domestic use and must conform to the recommendations included in 01-672 CMR Ch. 10, Land Use Districts and Standards, § 10.25(J).

Parking. No additional parking space is required for the accessory dwelling unit, but the primary dwelling unit must have on-site parking.

Private road or right-of-way access. Where an applicant seeks to locate an accessory dwelling unit on a privately maintained road or right-of-way the following applies:

Applicant must submit written consent from the road or homeowner's association or owner and parties responsible for street maintenance.

Unit standards.

Unit size. The size of an accessory dwelling unit must meet the minimum size for a dwelling unit as set by building code standards adopted and amended from time to time by the Technical Building Code and Standards Board, pursuant to 10 M.R.S. § 9722, and be no larger than 1,000 square feet. For principal dwelling units 1,000 square feet or smaller, an accessory dwelling unit may be no greater than 80% of the size of the principal dwelling unit, as measured in square feet. An accessory dwelling unit may have no more than two bedrooms.

[Amended 11-27-2023]

Unit location.

An accessory dwelling unit must meet one or more of the following conditions:

Be fully constructed within the existing footprint of any legal primary residence or accessory building; or

Share a common wall with the principal residence, providing yard setbacks per § 16.5.3D(2)(a); or

Be constructed as a new accessory building containing an accessory dwelling unit, providing yard setbacks can be met for the zone.

Accessory dwelling units will be allowed to be fully constructed within the principal residence even if the building does not meet yard setbacks.

Accessory dwelling units will not be allowed in accessory buildings encroaching on yard setbacks.

Use standards. The accessory dwelling unit may not be rented to the same person or party for less than a thirty-day period.

Development standards. Should an accessory dwelling unit fail to meet the applicable unit standards listed in this article, the accessory dwelling unit may still be allowed if the applicant obtains approval from the Board of Appeals under the provisions of a miscellaneous variation request, as outlines in § 16.2.12. The Board of Appeals shall review any appeal decision in conformance with § 16.2.12F, Basis for decision.

Violations. A violation of the use standard § 16.5.3D(3) will lose the certificate of occupancy for the unit for no less than 30 days, and be assessed a penalty of $500.

§ 16.5.4 Affordable housing.

Purpose. Recognizing that the market alone will not provide the range and diversity of housing types needed for a vibrant community, the Town of Kittery desires to encourage affordable housing for households of modest means and for all ages. The purpose of this section is to offer incentives to developers to include affordable housing, either for lease or sale, particularly in those zones that offer utilities and/or services, and to mitigate the impacts of market-rate housing development on the limited supply of land available for suitable using. The Town looks to its Comprehensive Plan and finds that this section will assist in meeting housing goals and in promoting the public health, safety and welfare of its residents.

Applicability.

Affordable housing regulations are applicable only in zones which explicitly state so and as follows:

All development involving three or more new dwelling units. The proposed dwelling units may be new construction, created through a change of use or created through a renovation, rehabilitation or remodel. Projects may not be phased or segmented to avoid compliance with these requirements.

All major subdivisions, including those planned in phases, in all zones that create five or more lots. Minor subdivisions are exempt.

All developments as described in Subsection B(1)(a) and (b) above whether the dwelling units proposed are intended for sale or for lease.

Affordable housing regulations do not apply to hotels, motels, rooming houses, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, residential care facilities or elder care facilities.

Requirements.

For projects proposing five or more dwelling units, at least 10% of the units, rounded down to the nearest whole number, must be affordable housing units, as defined by this Code. Any fractional unit obligation left after the rounding results in a proportional payment-in-lieu [see Subsection C(3) below]. For example, if 15 units are proposed, then one affordable unit is required plus 50% of a payment-in-lieu. If an additional affordable unit is offered for the fractional unit obligation, no payment-in-lieu is required.

The affordable housing units must remain affordable (via a recorded land use restriction, deed restriction or other legal instrument, a copy of which must be submitted to the Town prior to issuance of any building permits) for the longest term permitted under federal, state and local laws and ordinances, or 30 years, whichever is greater.

As an alternative to providing affordable housing units, projects may pay a fee in lieu of some or all of the units. In-lieu fees shall be paid into the Kittery Housing Reserve Fund, as ordained by the Kittery Town Council. The fee for affordable units not provided must be established by the Kittery Town Council in the schedule of fees. The in-lieu payment alternative may be utilized for no more than 25% of the number of whole units required for affordable housing for the project.

[Amended 9-12-2022]

If the developer prefers to provide a payment-in-lieu instead of the required affordable housing units, that proportional payment will be calculated based on the number of affordable housing units that are required plus any fractional unit obligation. Using the example above, if 15 units are proposed, the developer would provide 1.5 times the current rate set by the Town.

Location.

Required affordable housing may be located either on-site with any market-rate dwelling units or off-site within areas appropriately zoned for residential use. For development proposed in the C-1, C-3, B-L and B-L1 Zones, any off-site affordable housing must be located within one of those zones.

Off-site affordable housing may be new construction, a rehabilitation, remodel or renovation of an existing structure, or a change of use from nonresidential to residential.

Developers of market-rate units for sale who seek to provide the required affordable housing units off-site may opt to provide such dwelling units as rentals, subject to review and approval by the Planning Board.

Incentives.

Zoning districts having density incentives may be reviewed under the pertinent zone located in Chapter 16.4, Land Use Zone Regulations.

The Town will reduce the permitting costs for developments including affordable housing as follows:

For developments comprised of 10% to 15% affordable housing units: 10% off total permitting costs except for sewer connection fees.

For developments comprised of 16% to 24% affordable housing units: 15% off total permitting costs except for sewer connection fees.

For developments comprised of 25% and over affordable housing units: 20% off total permitting costs except for sewer connection fees.

Standards.

Affordable housing units must be built in reasonable accordance with any market-rate units such that at minimum, for every five market-rate units built, one affordable unit must be completed. All affordable housing units in a development must have received a certificate of occupancy before the final market-rate unit receives such. If a development is proposed for five dwelling units, including one affordable unit, that affordable unit must be completed before the last market-rate unit receives its certificate of occupancy.

When affordable housing units are part of a development which also includes market-rate housing units, the outside appearance of affordable units must be similar to the market-rate units and any affordable units must be integrated into the development as a whole. Affordable units cannot be confined to one building of a multiple building development except in the cases of cottage clusters, accessory dwelling units or two-family residences.

Affordable housing units need not be the same size as market-rate housing units but the number of bedrooms in each such dwelling unit may not be less than 10% of the total number of market-rate bedrooms in the development, rounded up when the fractional portion is 0.5 or more. For example, a five-unit multifamily dwelling with four market rate housing units of two bedrooms each would be required to provide one affordable housing unit with one bedroom.

Studio dwelling units will be counted as a one-bedroom unit. In cases where a development is providing only studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments, the Planning Board has the authority to decide whether each required affordable housing unit will be a studio or one-bedroom unit.

Affordable housing units to be located off-site must be of comparable quality with the same number of bedrooms [see Subsection F(3) above] as any new affordable housing units that would be created by the project on-site. The Town will not accept off-site units that are run-down or show signs of substantial wear or deterioration. This includes but is not limited to: heating and cooling systems, plumbing, wiring, appliances, flooring, walls, counters, cabinets, and fixtures as well as roofing, siding, doors and windows.

Eligibility and restrictions.

Affordable housing units or lots that will be owner-occupied must be:

Restricted to households having an income that does not exceed 120% of the area median income for the family size having the same number of persons as the subject household for the York-Kittery-South Berwick, Maine, Metro Fair Market Area (HMFA), as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as of the date of the buyer's application, and whose housing and utility costs do not exceed 30% of the household's annual gross income; and

Maintained as affordable housing units through a land use restriction agreement with the Town of Kittery or its designee for a period no less than the maximum period permitted by Maine law or 30 years, whichever is longer.

Affordable housing units that will be leased must be:

Restricted to households having an income that does not exceed 80% of the area median income for the family size having the same number of persons as the subject household for the York-Kittery-South Berwick, Maine, Metro Fair Market Area, as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as of the date of the household's application, and whose housing and utility costs do not exceed 30% of the household's annual gross income; and

Maintained as affordable housing units through a land use restriction agreement with the Town of Kittery or its designee for a period no less than the maximum period permitted Maine law or 30 years, whichever is longer.

Subleasing of any leased affordable housing unit is not permitted. Leasing or renting, including short-term rentals, of any owner-occupied affordable housing unit is not permitted.

Market and pricing.

Affordable housing units must be actively marketed for sale or lease, as applicable, to eligible households, which active marketing must include, as a minimum, the following:

The owner shall provide a notice of availability to the Town of intent to lease or sell an affordable housing unit. Such notice must be given at least 14 days prior to advertising the unit.

The owner or their authorized representative shall provide an affidavit to the Town confirming that household eligibility requirements have been met upon successful sale or lease of an affordable housing unit. Any lease agreement must be in writing and provided to the Town upon request.

A noneligible household may occupy an affordable housing unit if, despite active marketing, an eligible household is not available to lease the housing unit. If an affordable housing unit is being offered for lease, a noneligible household may occupy it under the following conditions:

The housing unit must be marketed for 90 days after the Town's receipt of notice of availability.

If no eligible household is found, a lease may be signed with a noneligible household 14 days after the Town is notified of the failure to lease, with the condition that the next housing unit that becomes available in the development must be offered as an affordable unit so that the affordable housing requirements for the development continue to be met.

If, 120 days after the Town's receipt of notice of availability, the initial sale of an affordable housing unit by the developer has not occurred, a noneligible household may occupy it but that household may only lease the unit for one year from the developer thus preserving the affordable restrictions. The unit must again be offered for sale upon termination of the one-year lease. The lease may not be renewed. The Town must be notified of the failure to sell 14 days before the lease is signed and of the subsequent lease agreement within 30 days of such lease being signed.

Initial maximum sale pricing of new affordable units must be set as follows:

Establish the target percentage of area median income level from the York-Kittery-South Berwick, Maine, Metro Fair Market Area (HMFA), as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that the unit will be marketed to. For projects being funded privately, that number must be 110% of area median income. For projects that include state, federal or municipal funding, that number will be influenced by the stipulations attached to the funding.

From the table below, determine the minimum household size based on the number of bedrooms in the unit

	1-bedroom or studio	2-bedroom	3-bedroom	4-bedroom
Minimum household size	1	2	3	4

Calculate 30% of the gross median income based on the area median income from the York-Kittery-South Berwick, Maine, Metro Fair Market Area (HMFA), as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the minimum household size based on the number of bedrooms. For example: (Household's 110% AMI x 0.30)/12 = monthly income available for housing-related expenses

The amount obtained from the formula above must then have other housing-related expenses, such as mortgage insurance, real estate taxes, home insurance and any HOA/condominium fees removed. Mortgage insurance must be estimated similar to current rates utilized by the Federal Housing Administration unless otherwise agreed to by the Town or its designee. What remains after removing non-mortgage related housing expenses is that portion of a household's monthly income which is available for a mortgage payment.

The sale price will then be set based on a thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage with a minimum 3.5% downpayment. Larger downpayments will not change the maximum allowable sale price.

No affordable housing unit may be sold for more than the maximum sale price.

Affordable housing units located in a development for which a homeowner association (HOA) or condominium association will be established must obtain the Town's review and approval of the draft budget and condominium/HOA documents. The Town or its designee may request quotes for costs such as replacement reserves and insurance. Fees will be shared proportionately based on the Town's tax assessment of the properties or if that information is not available, on the initial sales price of the units. Affordable units will be assessed with consideration given to the associated restrictions. The condominium/HOA fees may not increase more than 5% any given year and cannot exceed 15% within any five-year period without a supermajority 67% vote of the association. The Town may choose to have a consultant or the Town Attorney review the condominium/HOA documents, which fee is payable by the developer.

Maximum resale pricing of affordable units must be set as follows:

Calculate the average percentage change in the area median income used for the initial pricing for the relevant minimum household size between the year of purchase and the present.

Using that percentage number, calculate the new selling price. For example, if the average percentage change in area median income over the time the home was owned is 2% then: [(original purchase price) * 1.02] = new selling price.

Monthly rental costs for affordable housing units will be set based on the following:

Find the minimum household size based on the number of bedrooms from the table below:

	1-bedroom or studio	2-bedroom	3-bedroom	4-bedroom
Minimum household size	1	2	3	4

Use the formula below to calculate the monthly rent:

0.30 x (annual income based on minimum household size/12) - utilities = affordable rental unit rent.

The Town Manager or designee, with recommendation from the Affordable Housing Committee, may modify the requirements in § 16.5.4H as needed to advance Kittery's affordable housing goals and objectives.

Supplemental standards for approval.

Prior to submission of any plan for review by a Town land use board such as the Planning Board or Board of Appeals, the developer shall submit a housing plan to the Planning Department outlining the incentives sought, target median income percentage for the affordable units, proposed location of affordable housing and standards satisfied from this section.

The Town must review the plan and certify in writing that the development for which approval is sought, as described in the housing plan, is consistent with all applicable requirements of this section. If the plan does not meet the requirements, the Town must notify the developer and the project may not proceed to the applicable land use board.

In addition, all housing-related projects in the C-1 Zone must undergo master site plan review even if only one building is proposed. See Chapter 16.6.

Prior to the submittal of any development application for consideration by a Town land use board, a preapplication conference between the developer and the Town is required to discuss the application, site design and relevant requirements of the certified housing plan.

Prior to issuance of a building permit, a land use restriction agreement shall be executed between the Town Manager and the developer, in a form promulgated by the Town and approved by the Town Attorney, based on the housing plan, which land use restriction agreement sets forth the land use restrictions required by this section.

Prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy for a development subject to this section, the developer shall provide the Town with a fully executed copy of the land use restriction agreement as recorded in the real property records maintained by the York County Registry of Deeds.

§ 16.5.5 Agriculture.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Agricultural practices must be conducted to minimize soil erosion, sedimentation, contamination and nutrient enrichment of groundwater and surface waters.

All spreading or disposal of manure must be accomplished in conformance with the Manure Utilization Guidelines, November 1, 2001, published by the Maine Department of Agriculture and the Nutrient Management Act (7 M.R.S.A. §§ 4201 to 4214).

For additional requirements related to agriculture in the shoreland zones, see §16.9.4D(1).

§ 16.5.6 Agriculture, piggery.

Number of animals. There may be no more than three pigs allowed on a lot.

Setbacks. The following distances are from the identified use to the nearest property not owned or controlled by the operator/owner of the piggery:

Structures: 50 feet.

Feed lots, pens and extensively used areas: 100 feet.

Erosion and sediment control. The property owner shall demonstrate to the Code Enforcement Officer that erosion and sediment runoff will not enter an abutting property.

Spreading or disposal of manure. All spreading or disposal of manure shall be accomplished in conformance with the, "Manual of Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture," published by the Maine Department of Agriculture in January 2007 and as this may be amended or superseded.

§ 16.5.7 Agriculture, poultry facility.

Number of animals. These standards apply to the keeping of 10 or more poultry animals that are six months old or older in zoning districts in which agriculture, poultry facility is either a permitted use or a special exception use.

Setbacks. The following distances are from the identified nearest property not owned or controlled by the operator/owner of the poultry facility:

Structure, including barn or coops: 50 feet.

Feed lots, pens and extensively used areas: 100 feet.

Erosion and sediment control. The property owner shall demonstrate to the Code Enforcement Officer that erosion and sediment runoff will not enter an abutting property.

§ 16.5.8 Campgrounds and campsites.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Campgrounds. Campgrounds must meet the minimum requirements according to state licensing procedures. For campground standards outside the Shoreland Overlay Zones, see §16.5.17C. If located in one of the Shoreland Overlay Zones, campgrounds and individual private campsites must also meet the standards in §16.9.4D(2).

§ 16.5.9 Conservation of wetlands including vernal pools.

Purpose.

Wetlands are a fragile natural resource which, in their natural state, directly and indirectly benefit the public by serving valuable functions such as pollution filtration systems (i.e., retention of suspended solids, phosphorus and other nutrients), control of floodwaters, erosion control, groundwater recharge, educational and scientific study, wildlife habitat, open space and recreation. Considerable wetland acreage has been lost or impaired by draining, dredging, filling, excavating, building, pollution and other acts inconsistent with the valuable functions and natural limitations of wetlands. It is, therefore, the intent of the Town to:

Prevent the development of structures and land uses within wetlands and wetland setback areas that may contribute to the pollution of surface water and groundwater by sewage or toxic substances;

Prevent the destruction of, or significant changes to, wetlands which provide flood and shoreline protection, recharge groundwater supplies, and augment stream flow during dry periods;

Protect wetland areas and promote healthy wetland buffers that will preserve and enhance the wetlands;

Protect wildlife habitats, such as vernal pools, deer habitat, nesting sites, etc., and maintain ecological balances; and

Establish maintenance responsibility and/or fees to protect and maintain the wetland areas.

The number of healthy, functional wetlands in Kittery is decreasing; therefore, practices and strategies, such as buffering and the avoidance of wetland alterations that serve to protect functional wetlands and the repair of degraded wetlands, are encouraged. The reviewing authority will review plans for proposed development within 100 feet of a wetland to determine if wetlands of special significance are impacted. The applicant may be required to pay the cost of an independent study. For the reviewing authorities, refer to Chapter 16.2.

Wetlands of special significance have one or more of the following characteristics:

Critically imperiled or imperiled community. The freshwater wetland contains a natural community that is "critically imperiled" as defined by the Maine Natural Areas Program.

Significant wildlife habitat. The freshwater wetland contains significant wildlife habitat as defined by 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-B(10).

Location near coastal wetland. The freshwater wetland is located within 250 feet of a coastal wetland.

Location near a water body. The freshwater wetland is located within 250 feet of the normal high-water line and within the same watershed of a lake or pond.

Aquatic vegetation, emergent marsh vegetation or open water. The freshwater wetland contains, under normal circumstances, at least 20,000 square feet of aquatic vegetation, emergent marsh vegetation or open water, unless the 20,000 or more square foot area is the result of an artificial pond or impoundment.

Wetlands subject to flooding. The freshwater wetland is inundated with floodwater during a 100-year flood event based on flood insurance maps produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or other site-specific information.

Peatlands. The freshwater wetland is or contains peatlands, except that the Planning Board may determine that a previously mined peatland, or portion thereof, is not a wetland of special significance.

(h)

River, stream or brook. The freshwater wetland is located within 25 feet of a river, stream or brook.

(i)

Monetary value. An estimation can be determined based on the importance of the wetland with respect to the individual or collective functions it provides.

(j)

Vernal pools. The wetland contains a particular aquatic habitat as defined by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), including those mapped as significant vernal pools by MDEP.

Wetlands boundaries. The definition of wetland boundaries is as described in this section and in Chapter 16.3. Planning Board approval to alter a wetland area one acre or larger in size will not be issued until the applicant has submitted to the Town a wetlands delineation map and summary prepared by a qualified wetlands scientist or a Maine-certified soil scientist, at the applicant's expense. The qualified wetlands scientist or Maine-certified soil scientist must determine through field investigation the presence, location and configuration of wetlands on the area proposed for use.

Disturbed areas. An area which has been disturbed or modified such that natural vegetation, hydrology or soils are altered or removed may still satisfy the wetland criteria. In the event disturbance of a wetland causes the wetland boundary to be altered, a new boundary may need to be delineated in order to determine if the wetland is a regulated wetland. Wetland boundaries are to be delineated according to procedures described in the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual — Waterways Experiment Station Technical Report Y-87-1, January 1987 (1987 Manual). Notwithstanding the above, areas legally disturbed or modified prior to May 13, 1987, will be considered "wetlands" for the purpose of this title if such disturbed areas currently meet the normal criteria for delineating undisturbed wetlands.

Settling disputes over wetland boundaries. If there is a dispute regarding the existence or boundaries of the wetlands, the boundaries of the wetland are to be determined, at the expense of the applicant, by a qualified wetlands scientist or a qualified Maine-certified soils scientist agreeable to both the Planning Board and the applicant.

Permits required from other agencies. The determination of wetlands boundaries for Town jurisdiction by the Town Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, or the Code Enforcement Officer does not eliminate the need for the applicant to seek jurisdictional determinations and/or permits from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Army Corps of Engineers when required.

Regulated activities within wetlands.

Unless otherwise specified, all new structures and activities within wetlands, including but not limited to dredging and filling and expansions of existing structures and activities, are subject to the provisions of these regulations. Proposed activities and structures within a freshwater wetland smaller than 501 square feet in total size are exempt from the regulations in this section.

Permitted activities within regulated wetlands. The following uses are considered to be compatible within regulated wetlands and are permitted within regulated wetlands without Planning Board approval, provided they are in conformance with all local, federal and state regulations:

Agriculture, including pasturing, farming, haying and harvesting of wild crops. Such agriculture must not cause or contribute to surface water or groundwater pollution by use of pesticides, toxic chemicals or other pollutants and must not cause soil erosion;

Conservation areas and nature trails;

Education and scientific research;

Forestry, tree farming and timber harvesting using the best management practices in order to protect streams from damage and prevent sedimentation. Timber harvesting must be conducted during periods when the ground is frozen. The practice known as "clear cutting" is not permitted by right and requires a special permit under § 16.5.29;

Low-intensity recreation;

Repair and maintenance of existing ways, roads, driveways, railroad beds, wharfs, docks or utilities. Such repair and maintenance must not negatively impact the wetland or alter the existing watercourse and related hydrology;

Repair and maintenance of existing permanent structures requiring the addition or removal of 10 cubic yards or less of earth material to (form) a water body or wetland;

Placement of drainage outfall pipes requiring the addition or removal of less than 10 cubic yards of material;

Repair in kind, maintenance and necessary upgrade of existing drainage facilities;

Repair in kind and maintenance of existing transportation facilities;

Placement of moorings, subject to Harbormaster approval;

Wilderness areas and natural wildlife refuges;

Piers, fences, blinds, footbridges and shelters to enhance wildlife, provided they do not involve draining, grading, filling or dredging within the wetland. All such structures must be constructed of nontoxic materials and designed in such a manner to permit the unobstructed flow of waters and must preserve the natural contour and hydrology of the wetland, unless otherwise authorized by special permit as per § 16.5.9D;

Emergency public safety operations; and

Any other activity as determined by the Planning Board that does not result in a measurable alteration of the wetland.

Prohibited uses within regulated wetlands. The following structures and activities are considered to be incompatible with protecting wetlands and are prohibited within regulated wetlands:

Disposal or storage of waste and/or hazardous materials;

Manure stockpiles;

Road salt stockpiles;

Topsoil removal except as permitted in § 16.5.9D or with Planning Board approval;

Bulk fuel storage;

Herbicidal spraying;

Invasive nonnative wetland plants; and

Snow dumping.

Procedures for wetlands alteration application.

Application and review process. The application and review process for the review of proposals within regulated wetlands must conform to the procedures explained in § 16.5.9 of this chapter, except where specifically stated otherwise in this section.

Submission requirements. An application to alter a wetland must be made in accordance with the submission requirements in § 16.5.9L to the Town Planner, or designee, accompanied by a fee as determined in Appendix A.

Advisory opinion. The Planning Board may request the Town Planner to acquire more specific data and analysis from qualified sources and/or the opinion of the Conservation Commission concerning the proposed activity.

Timing after Board acceptance. The Planning Board will issue its decision within 35 days of receipt of the completed wetlands alteration application, unless a public hearing is necessary. A hearing is not necessary if the Planning Board finds that the activity is so minor that it will not significantly affect the wetland or that the hearing will not produce additional information useful to the review. A decision may be rendered at the scheduling hearing if the Board determines that a complete application has been received and no public hearing is necessary. If a public hearing is held, the Planning Board is required to issue its decision within 35 days of completion of the public hearing.

Abutter notice. Owners of property within 150 feet, horizontal distance, of the proposed alteration must be notified by first-class U.S. Mail of any public hearing on the application for wetlands alteration.

Coordination. Submission requirements for an application for a wetlands alteration will be integrated into the required submissions for a subdivision or development review application to the Planning Board.

Wetlands alteration approval criteria.

In making the final determination as to whether a wetland application should be approved, the Planning Board will consider existing wetland destruction and the cumulative effect of reasonably anticipated future uses similar to the one proposed. Preference will be given to activities that meet wetland setbacks, have a reasonable stormwater management plan (subject to Planning Board review and approval), and that dedicate easements for the purposes of maintaining the wetland and the associated drainage system. Approval to alter a wetland will not be granted for dredging or ditching solely for the purpose of draining wetlands and creating dry buildable land areas. An application for a wetlands alteration will not be approved for the purpose of creating a sedimentation or retention basin in the wetland. Increased peak runoff rates resulting from an increase in impermeable surfaces from development activities are not allowed.

It is the responsibility and burden of the applicant to show that the proposed use meets the purposes of this title and the specific standards listed below to gain Planning Board approval to alter a wetland. The Planning Board will not approve a wetlands alteration unless the applicant provides clear and convincing evidence of compliance with this title.

In evaluating the proposed activity, the Planning Board may need to acquire expert advisory opinions. The applicant must be notified, in writing, by the Town Planner at the Planning Board's request, that the applicant will bear the expenses incurred for the expert persons or agencies. The Planning Board will consider the advisory opinion, including any recommendations and conditions, provided by the Conservation Commission.

When the Planning Board finds the demonstrated public benefits of the project as proposed, or modified, clearly outweigh the detrimental environmental impacts, the Planning Board may approve such development, but not prior to granting approval of a reasonable and practicable mitigation plan (see § 16.5.9I) and not prior to the completion of all performance guaranties for the project (see § 16.8.11F).

The applicant must submit applicable documentation that demonstrates there is no practicable alternative to the proposed alteration of the wetland. In determining if no practicable alternative exists, the Planning Board will consider the following:

The proposed use:

Uses, manages or expands one or more other areas of the site that will avoid or reduce the wetland impact;

Reduces the size, scope, configuration or density of the project as proposed, thereby avoiding or reducing the wetland impact;

Provides alternative project designs, such as conservation subdivision, roof gardens, bridges, etc., that avoid or lessen the wetland impact; and

[Amended 10-24-2022]

Demonstrates that the proposed development meets or exceeds best management practices for stormwater management in the wetland areas.

In determining if the proposed development plan affects no more wetland than is necessary, the Planning Board will consider if the alternatives discussed above in Subsection G(1) of this section accomplish the following project objectives:

The proposed use will not:

Unreasonably impair or diminish the wetland's existing capacity to absorb, store and slowly release stormwater and surface water runoff;

Unreasonably increase the flow of surface waters through the wetland;

Result in a measurable increase in the discharge of surface waters from the wetland;

Unreasonably impair or diminish the wetland's capacity for retention and absorption of silt, organic matter, and nutrients;

Result in an unreasonable loss of important feeding, nesting, breeding or wintering habitat for wildlife or aquatic life; all crossings must be designed to provide a moist soil bed in culvert inverts and to not significantly impede the natural migration of wildlife across the filled area;

Result in a measurable increase of the existing seasonal temperature of surface waters in the wetland or surface waters discharged from the wetlands; or

Result in a measurable alteration or destruction of a vernal pool.

Expiration of wetlands alteration approval.

Wetlands alteration approval will expire if work has not commenced within one year of the Planning Board date of approval. Where work has commenced within one year of approval, such approval will expire unless work is complete within two years of the original approval date.

Prior to expiration, the Planning Board may, on a case-by-case basis, grant extensions to an approved plan expiration date upon written request by the developer for an inclusive period from the original approval date, not to exceed five years for a subdivision plan and three years for all other development plans.

Mitigation plan.

Mitigation activities are actions taken to offset potential adverse environmental impact, as well as the remittance of fees and a plan for the preservation of buildable/usable upland areas when the applicant has proven to the Planning Board's satisfaction that there are no practical alternatives to impacting a wetland.

Required fees and compensation.

For activities which in total will alter or fill less than 501 square feet of regulated wetlands, the mitigation plan must include the preservation of an undisturbed upland buffer zone adjacent to the wetland boundary equal in size to the area of the wetland to be altered.

For activities which in total alter or fill a five-hundred-and-one-square-foot to twenty-thousand-square-foot wetland, the mitigation plan must include the preservation of an undisturbed upland buffer zone adjacent to the wetland boundary equal in size to the area of the wetland to be altered. The undisturbed buffer zone from the wetland boundary must be placed in deed restrictions and be located and configured in a manner acceptable to the Planning Board.

In addition, a wetlands preservation fee for each square foot of altered wetland area, as determined in Appendix A, will be deposited into the account of the Town to achieve one or more of the following objectives related to the conservation of Kittery wetlands, with the Planning Board's recommendation and release of funds by the Town Council:

Restoration and preservation of wetlands;

Purchase of buffer areas for wetlands deemed at risk;

Monitoring and improvement of water quality;

Environmental and conservation projects, such as, but not limited to, education;

Matching grant funds;

Open space land purchases in conjunction with the Open Space Committee;

Assistance to the Kittery Land Trust; and/or

Purchase of signage to denote sensitive and wetland areas.

Assessment. A functional assessment and report of the wetlands to be altered must be conducted in accordance with the requirements in § 16.5.9L(3). The assessment must demonstrate the existing wetland functions and functional value and summarize the impairments, degradation and/or loss of function due to the proposed development.

When required. Fees for deposit to the wetlands preservation account are required whenever wetland areas or wetland functions will be lost or degraded due to the project, as identified by the functional assessment.

Where required. Fees for deposit to the wetlands preservation account must be used on the proposed site or on parcels adjacent to the project site when possible. If not possible, the fees must be used within the same watershed as the proposed alteration, or within the project vicinity, except as allowed for mitigation banking approved in writing by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. In all cases, use of the fees must occur within the boundaries of the Town.

Wetland impact mitigation process. Fees or developable land, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Planning Board, will be used to replace lost wetlands and wetland functions. Where the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and this title require and the Planning Board has approved a mitigation plan, such plan is deemed to satisfy Town standards.

Homeowners' association documents, deed covenants, maintenance agreements, and easements must establish responsibility for the maintenance of wetlands. The association documents must stipulate periodic maintenance of the surface and subsurface stormwater system, including but not limited to catch basins, stormwater manholes, pipes, ditches, curbs, settling basins and other structures designed to direct, retain and/or discharge stormwater runoff. In the event the Code Enforcement Officer and/or the Town's Engineer finds the wetlands are not in a natural healthy state, the association will be required to hire a qualified wetlands scientist or a Maine-certified soils scientists to evaluate all wetlands within the development at the association's expense.

Coordination. To reduce delays, the applicant may, upon written notice to the Town Planner, simultaneously apply to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for permits during the Town review process. In addition, the applicant may simultaneously apply for other local land use regulation approvals while applying for wetlands alteration approval.

Enforcement. The provisions of this section (§ 16.5.9), Conservation of wetlands including vernal pools, are to be administered and enforced pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16.2, Administration and Enforcement.

Submission requirements for wetland alteration application.

Minimum requirements. Unless specifically waived by the Planning Board, all applications must contain the following information:

Fifteen copies of the narrative, the site plan and the vicinity map required in this subsection.

A copy of the official documents showing legal interest of the applicant in the property to be affected.

A narrative, describing:

The purpose of the project;

The type of alteration to the wetland (fill, culvert, dredge, etc.);

Why there is no practicable alternative to impacting the wetland; and

How the proposed activity has been designed to minimize the impact on the wetland.

A plan view showing the site as viewed from above is required. The plan view must:

Be drawn at an appropriate scale, but no smaller scale than one inch equals 100 feet, and show the proposed activity, the location and size of all existing and proposed structures, roads, parking areas and sewage treatment facilities.

Contain a code block in the lower right-hand corner. The block must contain the:

Name(s) and address(es) of the applicant or owner;

Name and address of the preparer of the plan, with professional seal, if applicable;

Name of plan, date of plan preparation, and a revision number and date, if applicable; and

Map and lot number(s), according to Kittery tax maps, shown in the lower right-hand corner in bold lettering and 1/4 inch high.

Show a North arrow.

Show property boundaries.

Show the location of any wetlands, shorelines and floodplains. Wetland boundaries must be delineated using the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual — Waterways Experiment Station Technical Report Y-87-1, January 1987 (1987 Manual).

Show the location (tied by measurement to identifiable structures or boundary points) of all proposed draining, fill, grading, dredging and vegetation removal, including specification of amount of materials to be added or removed and procedures to be used.

Indicate the square footage of wetlands to be affected by the proposed activity.

Show the direction of natural water flow over the land, in the wetland, and in the proposed alteration area.

Show the location of the 100-year floodway and flood hazard boundaries as shown on the current effective National Flood Insurance Program maps, if applicable.

[10]

Specify the number of cubic yards and type of material to be used as fill, if fill material is involved.

Specify the type of material, number of cubic yards, method of handling, and the location of fill and spoil disposal area, if dredge material is involved.

Show all owners of property within 150 feet of the proposed alteration, together with their mailing addresses and map and lot designations from the Assessor's records.

A vicinity map, utilizing a topographic map at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 600 feet, showing the boundary of the proposed activity.

One set of photographs, taken during the growing season if possible, showing the wetland, adjacent water bodies if applicable, and the alteration area before development begins.

Additional requirements. In its consideration of an application, the Board may at any point in the review require the applicant to submit additional materials, studies, analyses and agreement proposals that the Board may deem necessary for a complete understanding of the application. Such material may include the following items:

A site plan showing existing and proposed topographic contours at two-foot intervals;

A hydrologic analysis in accordance with the requirements of this chapter;

Cross-section drawings showing the nature of the construction, the depth of excavation or height of fill, if applicable, and surface water and groundwater elevations; and

An evaluation, by a qualified wetlands scientist or a Maine-certified soils scientist, assessing the functions of the wetland and the impact of the proposed activity on these functions.

Wetlands mitigation plan and report. A wetlands mitigation plan and report is required for activities which, in total, affect or fill more than 500 square feet of wetlands.

The wetland mitigation plan and report must contain the following:

Plan at a scale of one inch equals 100 feet that shows two-foot contour intervals, existing wetland boundaries, the area of wetland to be altered, project dimensions and all off-site wetlands being extensions of the wetland to be altered;

Existing wetland characteristics, including water depth, vegetation and fauna;

Functional assessment, conducted by a qualified wetlands scientist or a Maine-certified soils scientist, on the wetland to be altered, which analyzes the wetland's value based on the functions it serves and how the wetland will be affected by the proposed alteration. The Wetland Evaluation Technique (WET) methodology, published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is one acceptable methodology. Other comparable assessment techniques may be accepted, provided the applicant submits documentation of how the methodology was developed, how the wetland functions and values are determined, and how much field testing the technique has undergone; and

Photographs of the wetland to be altered which show its characteristics.

Description of the overall proposed activity with particular reference to its impact on the wetland, including the precise location of the activity, its dimensions, the amount and type of fill (if any proposed), any proposed drainage, the timing and procedures proposed for the alteration, and any efforts proposed for reducing impacts. The Planning Board may require certain fill areas (such as stormwater storage basins, solid waste landfills, fill behind retaining walls, etc.) to be structurally engineered.

Plan for the proposed wetlands work, if any, including a topographic plan at the scale of one-inch equals 100 feet, showing two-foot contour intervals and proposed wetland boundaries. This plan must also include:

Proposed boundaries and characteristics of the mitigation site, including elevation, sources of water, and proposed vegetation;

Narrative describing the specific goals in terms of particular wetland functions and values. These goals must be related to those of the original wetland;

Narrative describing the available literature or experience to date (if any) for carrying out the mitigation work;

Proposed implementation and management procedures for the wetlands work;

Description of the short-term and long-term sources of water for this wetland, including the water quality of these sources;

Plans for replanting, including a description of plant species, sizes and sources of plant material, as well as how, when and where seeding or planting will take place;

Proposed buffers or protective measures, such as sediment control methods;

Plans for monitoring the wetlands work, showing capability for mid-course corrections; and

Plans, if any, for control of nonindigenous plant species.

For wetlands work involving creation, restoration and/or enhancement of degraded wetlands, a maintenance agreement must be approved by the Board and recorded in the York County Registry of Deeds. The maintenance agreement must be conveyed or a deed restriction imposed, and such maintenance responsibility is not dissolvable without Council approval. The maintenance agreement must meet or exceed the criteria listed in § 16.5.9I.

For projects involving preservation of wetlands or adjacent uplands, a conservation easement must be conveyed or deed restriction imposed so that the parcel will remain undeveloped in perpetuity.

§ 16.5.10 Essential services.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Installation. Where feasible, the installation of essential services will be limited to existing public ways and existing service corridors. For essential services within a Shoreland Overlay Zone, see §16.9.4D(3).

Location in Conservation (CON) Zone. The installation of essential services is not permitted in a Conservation Zone, except to provide services to a permitted use within said zone, or except where the applicant demonstrates no reasonable alternative exists. Where permitted, such structures and facilities must be located to minimize any adverse impacts on surrounding uses and resources, including visual impacts.

Replacement of equipment without permit. Damaged or destroyed public utility transmission and distribution lines, towers and related equipment may be replaced or reconstructed without a permit.

§ 16.5.11 Floodplain management.

[Amended 10-16-2024]

Statement of purpose and intent.

Certain areas of the Town are subject to periodic flooding, causing serious damages to properties within these areas. Relief is available in the form of federally subsidized flood insurance as authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.[1]

Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 4001 et seq.

Therefore, the Town has chosen to become a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program and agrees to comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-488, as amended) as delineated in this Floodplain Management Ordinance.

It is the intent of the Town to require the recognition and evaluation of flood hazards in all official actions relating to land use in the floodplain areas having special flood hazards. This body has the legal authority to adopt land use and control measures to reduce future flood losses pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 3001 to 3007, 4352 and 4401 to 4407 and Title 38 M.R.S.A. § 440.

The Town of Kittery has the legal authority to adopt land use and control measures to reduce future flood losses pursuant to Title 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 3001 to 3007, 4352, 4401 to 4407, and Title 38 M.R.S.A. § 440.

Definitions. Unless specifically defined in Chapter 16.3, words and phrases used in this chapter have the same meanings as they have in common law to give this chapter its most reasonable application. The word "may" is permissive; "must" and "will" are mandatory and not discretionary.

Establishment of flood areas.

The National Flood Insurance Program, established in the previously cited Act, provides that those areas of the Town having a special flood hazard be identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and that floodplain management measures be applied in such flood hazard areas. This chapter establishes a flood hazard development permit system and review procedure for development activities in the designated flood hazard areas of the Town.

The areas of special flood hazard, Zones A, AE, and VE for the Town of Kittery, York County, Maine, identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a report entitled "Flood Insurance Study, York County, Maine" dated July 17, 2024, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map dated July 17, 2024, and subsequent amendments thereto (including, without limitation, a Letter of Map Revision No. 24-01-0142P, dated July 18, 2024) are adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.

Permit required.

The Code Enforcement Officer will be designated as the local Floodplain Administrator. The Floodplain Administrator will have the authority to implement the commitment made to administer and enforce the requirements for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Planning Board is the permitting authority for all special exception flood hazard applications including those involving subdivisions and will act on such applications as required in § 16.5.11I and K. The Code Enforcement Officer is the permitting authority for other types of allowed development such as, but not limited to, accessory structures and for minor development applications for existing residential and non-residential structures.

Before any construction or other development (as defined in Chapter 16.3), including the placement of manufactured homes, begins within any areas of special flood hazard established in § 16.5.11C, a Flood Hazard Development Permit must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Officer. When the Planning Board must grant special exception approvals as provided by § 16.5.11I of this chapter, the Flood Hazard Development Permit must be submitted as part of the application. This permit is in addition to any other building/regulated activity permits which may be required pursuant to this chapter and codes of the Town of Kittery, Maine.

Application for permit. The application for a flood hazard development permit must be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer and include:

The name, address, and phone number of the applicant, owner, and contractor.

An address and a map indicating the location of the construction site.

A site plan showing the location of existing and/or proposed development including but not limited to structures, sewage disposal facilities, water supply facilities, areas to be cut and filled, and lot dimensions. Such a plan must also show where the proposed development is located in relation to the flood hazard area boundaries.

A statement of the intended use of the structure and/or development.

A statement of the cost of the development, including all materials and labor.

A statement as to the type of sewage system proposed.

Specification of dimensions of the proposed structure and/or development.

[Note: Subsections E(8) through (13) below apply only to new construction or substantial improvements, as defined by Title 16]

The elevation in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) or to a locally established datum in Zone A only, of the:

Base flood for structures located in the special flood hazard areas, at the proposed site of all new or substantially improved structures, which is determined:

In Zones AE, and VE, from data contained in the "Flood Insurance Study — York County, Maine," as described in § 16.5; or

In Zone A.

From any base flood elevation data from federal, state or other technical source (such as FEMA's Quick-2 model, FEMA 265), including information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11H(13) and § 16.5.11K(1)(d); or

In the absence of all data described in § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], information to demonstrate that the structure must meet the elevation requirements in § 16.5.11H(8)(b)[2], (9)(b)[2] or (10)(b)[2].

Highest and lowest grades at the site adjacent to the walls of the proposed building;

Lowest floor, including basement, and whether or not such structures contain a basement;

Lowest machinery and equipment servicing the building; and

Level, in the case of nonresidential structures only, to which the structure will be floodproofed.

A description of an elevation reference point established on the site of developments for which elevation standards apply as required in § 16.5.11H.

A written certification by:

A professional land surveyor, that the grade elevations shown on the application are accurate; and

A professional land surveyor, registered professional engineer or architect, verifying that the base flood elevations shown on the application are accurate.

The following certifications as required in § 16.5.11.H, by a registered professional engineer or architect:

A Floodproofing Certificate (FEMA Form FF-206-FY-22-153k, as amended from time to time) to verify that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structures will meet the floodproofing criteria of Subsection E(8)(d) of this section, § 16.5.11H(9), and other applicable standards in § 16.5.11H; and

A V-Zone Certificate to verify that construction in coastal high-hazard areas, Zones Coastal AE and VE, will meet the criteria of § 16.5.11H(18) and other applicable standards in § 16.5.11H.

A Hydraulic Openings Certificate to verify that engineered hydraulic openings in foundation walls will meet the standards of § 16.5.11H(14)(b)[1].

A certified statement that bridges will meet the standards of § 16.5.11H(15).

A certified statement that containment walls will meet the standards of § 16.5.11H(16).

A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development.

A statement of construction plans describing in detail how each applicable development standard in § 16.5.11H will be met.

Application fee and expert's fee.

A nonrefundable application fee as set out in Appendix A shall be paid to the Code Enforcement Officer, and a copy of a receipt for the same must accompany the application.

An additional fee may be charged if the Code Enforcement Officer, Planning Board, and/or Board of Appeals needs the assistance of a professional engineer or other expert. The expert's fee must be paid in full by the applicant within 10 days after the Town submits a bill to the applicant. Failure to pay the bill constitutes a violation of this chapter and is grounds for the issuance of a stop-work order. An expert may not be hired by the municipality at the expense of an applicant until the applicant has either consented to such hiring in writing or been given an opportunity to be heard on the subject. An applicant who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Code Enforcement Officer may appeal that decision to the Board of Appeals.

Review standards for flood hazard development permit applications. The Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board, when applicable, must:

Review all applications for a flood hazard development permit to assure that proposed developments are reasonably safe from flooding and to determine that all pertinent requirements of § 16.5.11H, Development standards, have or will be met.

Utilize, in the review of all flood hazard development permit applications:

The base flood and floodway data contained in the "Flood Insurance Study — York County, Maine," as described in § 16.5.11C.

In special flood hazard areas where base flood elevation and floodway data are not provided, the Code Enforcement Officer must obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data from federal, state, or other sources, including information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11E(7)(a)[2], H(9) and J, in order to administer § 16.5.11H of this chapter.

When the Town establishes a base flood elevation in a Zone A by methods outlined in § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2], the community must submit that data to the Maine Floodplain Management Program.

Make interpretations of the location of boundaries of special flood hazard areas shown on the maps described in § 16.5.11C.

In the review of flood hazard development permit applications, determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state and local government agencies from which prior approval is required by federal or state law, including, but not limited to, Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C. § 1344.

Notify adjacent municipalities, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Maine Floodplain Management Program prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and submit copies of such notifications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter, approve the issuance of one of the following flood hazard development permits, based on the type of development:

Issue a two-part flood hazard development permit for elevated structures. Part I authorizes the applicant to build a structure to and including the first horizontal floor only above the base flood level. At that time the applicant must provide the Code Enforcement Officer with an "under construction" Elevation Certificate completed by a professional land surveyor, registered professional engineer or architect based on Part I permit construction, for verifying compliance with the elevation requirements of § 16.5.11H(8), (9), (10) and (18). Following review of the Elevation Certificate data, which must take place within three working days of receipt of the application, the Code Enforcement Officer will issue Part II of the flood hazard development permit. Part II authorizes the applicant to complete the construction project; or

Issue a Flood Hazard Development Permit for floodproofing of non-residential structures that are new construction or substantially improved non-residential structures that are not being elevated but meet the floodproofing standards of § 16.5.11H(9). The application for this permit must include a Floodproofing Certificate signed by a registered professional engineer or architect or:

Issue a Flood Hazard Development Permit for minor development for all development that is not new construction or substantial improvement such as repairs, maintenance, renovations or additions whose value is less than 50% of the market value of the structure. Minor development also includes but is not limited to: accessory structures as provided for in § 16.5.11H(12), mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling operations, storage of equipment or materials, deposition or extraction of materials, public or private sewage disposal systems or water supply facilities that do not involve structures; and non-structural projects such as bridges, dams, towers, fencing, pipelines, wharves and piers.

For development that requires review and approval as a special exception, as provided for in this chapter, the Flood Hazard Development Permit Application must be acted upon by the Planning Board as required in § 16.5.11I and described in § 16.5.11D.

Maintain, as a permanent record, copies of all Flood Hazard Development Permit applications, corresponding permits issued and data relevant thereto, including reports of the Board of Appeals on variances granted under the provisions of § 16.5.11L and this chapter; and copies of Elevation Certificates, Floodproofing Certificates, Certificates of Compliance and certifications of design standards required under the provisions of §§ 16.5.11E, H, and J.

Development standards. All developments in areas of special flood hazard must meet the following applicable standards.

All developments must:

Be designed or modified and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy;

Use construction materials that are resistant to flood damage;

Use construction methods and practices that will minimize flood damage; and

Use electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air-conditioning equipment, and other service facilities, that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during flooding conditions.

All new and replacement water supply systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems.

All new and replacement sanitary sewage systems must be designed and located to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the system into floodwaters.

On-site waste disposal systems must be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during floods.

All development associated with altered or relocated portions of a watercourse must be constructed and maintained in such a manner that no reduction occurs in the flood-carrying capacity of any watercourse.

New construction or substantial improvement of any structure (including manufactured homes) located within:

Zones A and AE must have the bottom of all electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, permanent fixtures and components, HVAC ductwork and duct systems, and any other utility service equipment, facilities, machinery, or connections servicing a structure, elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Zone VE must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18)[4].

Certain development projects, including but not limited to, retaining walls, sea walls, levees, berms, and rip rap, can cause physical changes that affect flooding conditions.

All development projects in Zones AE and VE that cause physical changes to the natural landscape must be reviewed by a professional engineer to determine whether or not the project changes the base flood elevation, zone, and/or the flood hazard boundary line.

If the professional engineer determines, through the use of engineering judgement, that the project would not necessitate a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), a certified statement must be provided.

If the professional engineer determines that the project may cause a change, a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis that meets current FEMA standards must be performed.

If the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis performed indicates a change to the base flood elevation, zone, and/or the flood hazard boundary line, the applicant may submit a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (C-LOMR) request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assurance that the as-built project will result in a change to the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Once the development is completed, a request for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) must be initiated.

If the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis performed shows a change to the base flood elevation, zone, and/or the flood hazard boundary line, as soon as practicable, but no later than six months after the completion of the project, the applicant must submit the technical data to FEMA in the form of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) request.

New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure located within:

Zone AE must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Zone A must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated:

To at least one foot above the base flood elevation utilizing information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], § 16.5.11G(2) or § 16.5.11K(1)(d); or

In the absence of all data described above in 16.5.11H(8)(b)[1], to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure.

Zones VE and Coastal AE (as defined by Title 16) must meet the requirements of 16.5.11H(18).

New construction or substantial improvement of any nonresidential structure located within:

Zone AE must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, must:

Be floodproofed to at least one foot above the base flood level so that below that elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to passage of water;

Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy; and

Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of this section. Such certification must be provided with the application for a flood hazard development permit as required by § 16.5.11E(11), and must include a record of the elevation above mean sea level to which the structure is floodproofed.

Zone A must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to:

At least one foot above the base flood elevation utilizing information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], § 16.5.11G(2) or § 16.5.11.K(1)(d), or

In the absence of all data described in § 16.5.11.H(9)(b)[1] above, to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure; or

Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed to one foot above the base flood elevation established in § 16.5.11H(9)(b)[1] or [2] and meet the floodproofing standards of § 16.5.11H(9)(a)[1], [2], and [3].

Zone VE and Coastal AE (as defined by Title 16) must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18).

New or substantially improved manufactured homes located within:

Zone AE must:

Be elevated such that the lowest floor is at least one foot above the base flood elevation; and

Be on a permanent foundation which may be poured masonry slab or foundation walls, with hydraulic openings, or may be reinforced pier or block supports, any of which support the manufactured home so that no weight is supported by its wheels and axles; and

Be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to:

Over-the-top ties anchored to the ground at the four corners of the manufactured home, plus two additional ties per side at intermediate points (manufactured homes less than 50 feet long require one additional tie per side); or

By frame ties at each corner of the home, plus five additional ties along each side at intermediate points (manufactured homes less than 50 feet long require four additional ties per side).

All components of the anchoring system described in § 16.5.11H(10)(a)[3][a] and [b] must be capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds.

Zone A must:

Be elevated on a permanent foundation as described in § 16.5.11H(10)[a][2] such that the lowest floor (including basement) is at least one foot above the base flood elevation utilizing information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], § 16.5.11G(2) or § 16.5.11K(1)(d); or

In the absence of all data described in 16.5.11H(10)(b)[1] above, to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure; and

Meet the anchoring requirements of § 16.5.11H(10)(a)[3].

Zones VE and Coastal AE must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18).

Recreational Vehicles located within:

Zones A or AE must either:

Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; and

Be fully licensed and ready for highway use. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions; or

Be permitted in accordance with the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in § 16.5.11H(10)[a].

Zones V1-30 and VE and Coastal AE (as defined by Title 16) must meet the requirements of either § 16.5.11H(11)(a)[1] and [2] or § 16.5.11H(18).

New construction or substantial improvement of accessory structures, as defined in Title 16, will be exempt from the elevation criteria required in § 16.5.11H(8) and (9) above, if all other requirements of § 16.5.11H and all the following requirements are met:

Accessory structures located in Zones A and AE must:

Meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(1)(a) through (d), as applicable.

Be limited in size to a one-story two-car garage.

Have unfinished interiors and not be used for human habitation.

Have hydraulic openings as specified in § 16.5.11H(14)(b), in at least two different walls of the accessory structure.

Be located outside the floodway.

When possible, be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters and be placed further from the source of flooding than is the primary structure; and

Have only ground fault interrupt electrical outlets. The electric service disconnect shall be located above the base flood elevation and when possible, outside the special flood hazard area.

Be located outside the Coastal AE Zone.

Accessory structures located in Zones VE and Coastal A must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18):

Floodways.

In Zone AE riverine areas, encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other development, are not permitted within regulatory floodway which is designated on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map, unless a technical evaluation certified by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that such encroachments will not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

In Zones A and AE riverine areas, for which no regulatory floodway is designated, encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other development, are not permitted in § 16.5.11H(13)(c) unless a technical evaluation certified by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing development and anticipated development:

Will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the community; and

Is consistent with the technical criteria in FEMA's guidelines and standards for flood risk analysis and mapping.

In Zone A and AE riverine areas, for which the regulatory floodway is designated, the regulatory floodway is determined to be the channel of the river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas to a distance of 1/2 the width of the floodplain as measured from the normal high-water mark to the upland limit of the floodplain.

New construction or substantial improvement of any structure in Zones A or AE that meets the development standards of this section, including the elevation requirements of § 16.5.11H(8), (9), (10), and is elevated on posts, columns, piers, piles, or crawl spaces may be enclosed below the base flood elevation requirements provided all the following criteria are met or exceeded:

Enclosed areas are not basements, as defined in Chapter 16.3.; and

Enclosed areas must be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwater. Designs for meeting this requirement must either:

Be engineered and certified by a registered professional engineer or architect; or

Meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of the enclosed area;

The bottom of all openings must be below base flood elevation and no higher than one foot above the lowest grade; and

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the entry and exit of floodwaters automatically without any external influence or control, such as human intervention, including the use of electrical and other nonautomatic mechanical means;

The enclosed area may not be used for human habitation; and

The enclosed areas are usable solely for building access, parking of vehicles, or storage.

New construction or substantial improvement of any bridge located within Zones A, and VE must be designed such that:

When possible, the lowest horizontal member (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation; and

A registered professional engineer shall certify that:

The structural design and methods of construction shall meet the elevation requirements of this section and the floodway standards of § 16.5.11H(13); and

The foundation and superstructure attached thereto are designed to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all structural components. Water loading values used shall be those associated with the base flood.

New construction or substantial improvement of any containment wall located within:

Zones A, AE, and VE must:

Have the containment wall elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation;

Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy; and

Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of this section. Such certification shall be provided with the application for a Flood Hazard Development Permit, as required by § 16.5.11E(11).

New construction or substantial improvement of wharves, piers and docks are permitted in and over water and seaward of the mean high tide if the following requirements are met:

In Zones A and AE, wharves, piers and docks must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations; or

In Zone VE, wharves, piers and docks must have a registered professional engineer shall develop or review the structural design, specifications and plans for the construction.

Coastal floodplains.

New construction located within Zones AE and VE is to be located landward of the reach of the highest annual spring tide, except as provided by § 16.5.11H(18)(f).

New construction or substantial improvement of any structure located within Zones AE or VE must:

Be elevated on posts or columns such that:

The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation;

The pile or column foundation and the elevated portion of the structure attached thereto is anchored to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components; and

Water loading values used must be those associated with the base flood. Wind loading values used must be those required by applicable state and local building standards;

Have the space below the lowest floor:

Free of obstructions; or

Constructed with open wood lattice-work, or insect screening intended to collapse under wind and water without causing collapse, displacement, or other structural damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting piles or columns; or

Constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls which have a design safe loading resistance of not less than 10 nor more than 20 pounds per square foot.

Require a registered professional engineer or architect to:

Develop or review the structural design, specifications and plans for the construction, which must meet or exceed the technical criteria contained in the Coastal Construction Manual (FEMA-55); and

Certify that the design and methods of construction to be used are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the criteria of § 16.5.11H(18)(b);

Must have the bottom of all electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, permanent fixtures and components, HVAC ductwork and duct systems, and any other utility service equipment, facilities, machinery, or connections servicing a structure, elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation. Systems, fixtures, equipment, and components must not be mounted on or penetrate through walls intended to break away under flood loads.

The use of fill for structural support in Zones Coastal AE and VE is prohibited.

Human alteration of sand dunes within Zones Coastal AE and VE is prohibited unless such alterations are part of a coastal resilience project such as revegetation of dunes and it can be demonstrated that such alterations will not increase potential flood damage.

The enclosed areas below the lowest floor must be used solely for parking vehicles, building access, and storage.

Lobster sheds and fishing sheds may be located seaward of the mean high tide and shall be exempt from the elevation requirement in § 16.5.11H(9) only if permitted as a special exception use following review and approval by the Planning Board, as provided in § 16.5.11I, and if all the following requirements and those of § 16.5.11H(1), (13) and (14) are met.

The special exception use must be limited to low value structures such as metal or woodsheds 200 square feet or less and must not exceed one story.

The structure must be securely anchored to the wharf or pier to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effect of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components.

The structure must not adversely increase wave or debris impact forces affecting nearby buildings.

The structure must have unfinished interiors and must not be used for human habitation.

Any mechanical, utility equipment, and fuel storage tanks must be anchored and either elevated or floodproofed to at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

All electrical outlets must be ground fault interrupt type. The electrical service disconnect shall be located on shore above the base flood elevation and when possible outside the special flood hazard area.

Special exception use review.

The Planning Board will hear and decide upon applications for special exception uses provided for in this chapter. The Planning Board will hear and approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove all applications for special exception uses. An applicant informed by the Code Enforcement Officer or Town Planner that a special exception use permit is required must file an application for the permit with the Planning Board.

Review procedure for a special exception flood hazard development permit.

The flood hazard development permit application with additional information attached addressing how each of the special exception use criteria specified in this chapter will be satisfied, may serve as the permit application for the special exception permit.

Before deciding any application, the Planning Board must hold a public hearing on the application within 30 days of their receipt of the application.

If the Planning Board finds that the application satisfies all relevant requirements of the ordinance, the Planning Board must approve the application or approve with conditions within 45 days of the date of the public hearing.

A special exception permit issued under the provisions of this chapter will expire if the work or the change involved is not commenced within 180 days of the issuance of the permit by the Planning Board.

The applicant must be notified by the Planning Board in writing over the signature of the Chair of the Planning Board that the National Flood Insurance Program, and by extension those insurers under that program, will not offer insurance for structures located entirely over water or seaward of mean high tide flood insurance is not available for structures located entirely over water or seaward of mean high tide.

Expansion of special exception uses.

No existing building or use of any premises may be expanded or enlarged without a permit issued under this section if that building or use was established or constructed under a previously issued special exception permit or if it is a building or use which would require a special exception permit if being newly established or constructed under this chapter.

Certificate of compliance.

No land in a special flood hazard area may be occupied or used and no structure which is constructed or substantially improved may be occupied until a certificate of compliance is issued by the Code Enforcement Officer subject to the following provisions:

For new construction or substantial improvement of any elevated structure allowed by this chapter, the applicant must submit:

An elevation certificate completed by a professional land surveyor for compliance with § 16.5.11H(8), (9), (10) or (18); and

For structures in Zones Coastal AE (as defined) and VE, certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction used are in compliance § 16.5.11H(18)(b).

The applicant must submit written notification to the Code Enforcement Officer that the development is complete and complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Within 10 working days, the Code Enforcement Officer must:

Review the required certificate(s) and the applicant's written notification; and

Upon determination that the development conforms to the provisions of this chapter, issue a certificate of compliance.

Review of subdivision and development proposals.

The Planning Board must, when reviewing subdivisions and other proposed developments that require review under other federal law, state law or local ordinances or regulations, as well as all projects on five or more disturbed acres, or in the case of manufactured home parks divided into two or more lots, assure that:

All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.

All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages.

Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

All proposals include base flood elevation, flood boundaries and, in a riverine floodplain, floodway data. These determinations shall be based on engineering practices recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Any proposed development plan must include condition of plan approval that structures on any lot in the development having any portion of its land within a Special Flood Hazard Area are to be constructed in accordance with § 16.5.11H of this chapter requiring that:

Such requirements will be included in any deed, lease, purchase and sale agreement, or document transferring or expressing an intent to transfer any interest in real estate or structure, including, but not limited to, a time-share interest. The statement must clearly articulate that the municipality may enforce any violation of the construction requirement and that fact must also be included in the deed or any other document previously described. The construction requirement must also be clearly stated on any map, plat or plan to be signed by the Planning Board or local reviewing authority as part of the approval process.

Appeals and variances.

The Board of Appeals may, upon written application of an aggrieved party, hear and decide appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by, or failure to act by, the Code Enforcement Officer or the Planning Board in the administration or enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance. Appeals of any requirement, decision or determination made by, or a failure to act by, the Planning Board must go to the York County Superior Court per § 16.2.12B(1).

The Board of Appeals may grant a variance from the requirements of the ordinance consistent with state law and following criteria:

Variances must not be granted within any designated regulatory floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.

Variances will be granted only upon:

A showing of good and sufficient cause; and

A determination that should a flood comparable to the base flood occur, the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, public expense, or create nuisances, cause fraud or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances; and

A showing that the issuance of the variance will not conflict with other state, federal, or local laws or ordinances; and

A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in "undue hardship," which in this subsection means:

That the land in question cannot yield a reasonable return unless a variance is granted; and

That the need for a variance is due to the unique circumstances of the property and not to the general conditions in the neighborhood; and

That the granting of a variance will not alter the essential character of the locality; and

That the hardship is not the result of action taken by the applicant or a prior owner.

Variances must only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief, and the Board of Appeals may impose such conditions to a variance as is deemed necessary.

Variances may be issued for new construction, substantial improvements, or other development for the conduct of a functionally dependent use provided that:

The criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3) and § 16.5.11H(13) are met; and

The structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the base flood and create no additional threats to public safety.

Variances may be issued for the repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration of historic structures upon the determination that:

The development meets the criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3); and

The proposed repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.

Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvement of agricultural structures being used for the conduct of agricultural uses provided that:

The development meets the criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3); and

The development meets the criteria of § 16.5.11H(13) and (14).

Any applicant who meets the criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3) and § 16.5.11L(4), (5) or (6) shall be notified by the Board of Appeals in writing over the signature of the Chairman of the Board of Appeals that:

The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood level will result in greatly increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25 per $100 of insurance coverage; and

Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property; and

The applicant agrees in writing that the applicant is fully aware of all the risks inherent in the use of land subject to flooding, assumes those risks, and agrees to indemnify and defend the municipality against any claims filed against it that are related to the applicant's decision to use land located in a floodplain and that the applicant individually releases the municipality from any claims the applicant may have against the municipality that are related to the use of land located in a floodplain.

Any variances needed by the applicant must be approved prior to any required Planning Board action through the subdivision or special exception process.

Appeal procedure for administrative and variance appeals.

An administrative or variance appeal may be taken to the Board of Appeals by an aggrieved party within 30 days after receipt of a written decision of the Code Enforcement Officer or Planning Board.

Upon being notified of an appeal, the Code Enforcement Officer or the Planning Board, as appropriate, will transmit to the Board of Appeals all of the papers constituting the record of the decision appealed from.

The Board of Appeals must hold a public hearing on the appeal within 35 days of its receipt of an appeal request.

The person filing the appeal will have the burden of proof.

The Board of Appeals must decide all appeals within 35 days after the close of the hearing, and issue a written decision on all appeals.

The Board of Appeals must submit to the Code Enforcement Officer a report of all variance actions, including justification for the granting of the variance and an authorization for the Code Enforcement Officer to issue a Flood Hazard Development Permit, which includes any conditions to be attached to said permit.

Any aggrieved party who participated as a party during the proceedings before the Board of Appeals may take an appeal to Superior Court in accordance with State laws within 45 days from the date of any decision of the Board of Appeals.

Enforcement and penalties.

It is the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance pursuant to Title 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452.

The penalties contained in Title 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452 apply to any violation of this Ordinance.

In addition to other actions, the Code Enforcement Officer may, upon identifying a violation, submit a declaration to the Administrator of the Federal Insurance Administration requesting a flood insurance denial. The valid declaration shall consist of:

The name of the property owner and address or legal description of the property sufficient to confirm its identity or location;

A clear and unequivocal declaration that the property is in violation of a cited State or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

A clear statement that the public body making the declaration has authority to do so and a citation to that authority;

Evidence that the property owner has been provided notice of the violation and the prospective denial of insurance; and

A clear statement that the declaration is being submitted pursuant to Section 1316 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended.

Validity and severability. If any section or provision of this chapter is declared by the courts to be invalid, such decision does not invalidate any other section or provision of this chapter.

Conflict with other ordinances. This chapter will not in any way impair or remove the necessity of compliance with any other applicable rule, ordinance, regulation, bylaw, permit, or provision of law. Where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of land, buildings, or structures, the provisions of this chapter will control.

Abrogation. This chapter repeals and replaces any municipal ordinance previously enacted to comply with the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-488, as amended).

Disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by the ordinance is considered reasonable but does not imply total flood protection.

§ 16.5.12 Home occupation.

Purpose.

It is the intent of these regulations governing home occupations to balance the economic and community benefits of allowing home-based businesses with the goal of protecting the quality of life of the surrounding residential neighborhood from unreasonable or unsafe intrusions and nuisances inappropriate to a residential setting. The regulations attempt to ensure that any home-based business operates in a manner that respects the neighborhood in which it is situated.

Regulation of home occupations should not prohibit beneficial and unobtrusive uses and should provide standards to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the surrounding neighborhood. A home occupation should not degrade the residential character of the neighborhood.

These regulations take a two-tier approach to regulating home occupations. At the least intrusive level are business activities that by their nature and intensity will be compatible with a residential location. These types of businesses are considered minor home occupations and require only review by the Code Enforcement Officer for compliance with the standards. A major home occupation in a residential district has the potential to be incompatible with its neighborhood setting. Therefore, a public hearing with notification to abutting property owners and BOA approval is necessary.

A more extensive business activity that does not satisfy the standards for a major home occupation is treated as a type of commercial use and does not qualify as an acceptable type of home occupation. Such businesses should be located in an appropriately zoned area of the Town.

Minor home occupation standards.

Compliance with the definition of a "home occupation."

An applicant must be a resident of a dwelling on the premises where the home occupation will occur. An applicant who is not the owner of the property, but is residing on the premises, must submit written permission of the property owner for the proposed home occupation.

As an accessory use, the home occupation(s) must be subordinate to the principal use. Quantitative measures that may be considered in determining whether a proposed activity is an accessory use include, but are not limited to, percentage and/or total amount of square footage attributed to the home occupation(s) use in relation to the residential use. Qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, the projected activity level of the home occupation(s) on the premises in relation to the residential use and whether the proposed home occupation is a traditional accessory use in the community.

Number of workers. There must be no more than three persons, inclusive of residents of the premises, working in the home occupation(s) at the site at any one time.

Prohibited uses. The following uses are categorically prohibited as minor home occupations: motor vehicle repair; motor vehicle sales or rental; commercial parking; commercial outdoor storage; machine shop; wholesale use; junkyard; auto salvage yard; seafood cooking; processing and/or cleaning; bait sales; marijuana business.

Business hours. Business activities involving clients or customers on the premises or vehicular traffic to and from the premises must not be conducted between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., except for a bed-and-breakfast, a day-care facility or a functionally water-dependent use.

Nuisances.

Any excessive noise, dust, smoke, vibrations, glare, direct lighting, objectionable fumes, traffic or electrical interference detected at the property boundary must not be greater in duration or intensity than that expected in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

When reviewing a functionally water-dependent use, the above standards allow customary noises and smells caused by the use if all practicable steps are taken to manage and minimize the adverse impact on abutting property owners.

Parking. A plan must be submitted showing sufficient and safe parking for customers', clients' and workers' use during normal business operations. To the maximum extent practicable, parking should be arranged so as to avoid vehicles backing out into the street. In addition to parking required for the residence, the following parking is required:

One parking space per nonresident worker at the site during the peak shift;

One parking space if clients or customers frequently visit the site;

One parking space per adult student up to the maximum class size; or

One parking space per rental unit.

The parking design standards in Table 16.7.11F of Chapter 16.7, Site Plan Review, set out at the end of § 16.7.11F, Parking loading and traffic (e.g., aisle width, stall size, etc.), may be modified for parking by workers if the parking arrangement will still provide for practical off-street parking adequate to prevent parking from overflowing the site.

With the exception of a bed-and-breakfast with more than three rooms for rent, three additional off-street parking spaces should satisfy the parking demand for a minor home occupation. Any recurring observed parking overflow is a violation of these standards.

The CEO may approve the joint use of a parking area where it is clearly demonstrated that the parking area will be available for use by customers or workers during the hours of operation due to the variation in time of use.

Outdoor storage. All outdoor storage of equipment, vehicles, items or equipment associated with the home occupation is prohibited except for the following:

One vehicle used in conjunction with the home occupation;

Seasonal storage of items necessary for functionally water-dependent uses, such as lobster traps; and

Vehicles owned by residents of the premises with valid license plates.

All bait must be stored indoors and must be kept refrigerated or otherwise stored to prevent offensive odors.

Business conduct. All business activities on the site must take place within the dwelling or enclosed buildings, except for outdoor recreational uses, agriculturally oriented uses or functionally water-dependent uses.

Refuse and recyclables. All refuse and recyclables must be stored within an enclosed building. No outdoor dumpsters are allowed. All waste materials from the home occupation must be removed from the premises on at least a monthly basis.

Traffic. The home occupation must not result in creating or significantly exacerbating a traffic hazard. Recurring vehicle traffic involving vehicles larger than a twenty-foot fixed axle, thirty-foot total length truck is prohibited.

Retail sales. Retail sales in which customers do not come to the premises are permissible, such as mail order or telephone sales. On-site retail sales are limited to the following:

Sales of products grown, raised or produced on the premises. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "produced" is not to be construed to allow the assembly of a product from components produced elsewhere; and

Sales of items customarily incidental and subordinate to a nonretail home occupation, such as sales of shampoo and hair brushes at a beauty salon.

All other on-site retail sales are prohibited as a minor home occupation.

Health and safety. The proposed use must not create a health or safety hazard.

Major home occupation standards.

Compliance with the definition of a "home occupation."

Number of workers. There must be no more than five persons, inclusive of residents of the premises, working in the home occupation(s) at the site at any one time.

Prohibited uses. The following uses are categorically prohibited as major home occupations: motor vehicle repair; motor vehicle sales or rental; commercial parking; commercial outdoor storage; junkyard; auto salvage yard; marijuana retail use; and marijuana medical use except the activities of a primary caregiver registered under 22 M.R.S.A. § 2425.

Business hours. Business activities involving clients or customers on the premises or vehicular traffic to and from the premises must not be conducted between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except for a bed-and-breakfast, a day-care facility or a functionally water-dependent use. This limitation may be modified by the BOA provided the proposal satisfies the intent of this section.

Nuisances.

Any excessive noise, dust, smoke, vibrations, glare, direct lighting, obnoxious fumes or odors, traffic, or electrical interference detected at the property boundary must not be greater in duration or intensity than that expected in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Parking. A plan must be submitted that provides safe and sufficient off-street parking to meet the needs of the business to prevent parking from overflowing off the site. Any recurring observed parking overflow is a violation of these standards. The creation of more than four off-street parking spaces must be located, designed, screened and landscaped to minimize adverse impact on abutting properties.

Outdoor storage. All outdoor storage of equipment, vehicles or items associated with the home occupation must be screened from view of abutting properties and from all streets except for the following:

One vehicle used in conjunction with the home occupation;

Seasonal storage of items necessary for functionally water-dependent uses, such as lobster traps; and

Vehicles owned by residents of the premises with valid license plates.

All bait must be stored indoors and must be kept refrigerated or otherwise stored to prevent offensive odors.

Business conduct. All business activities on the site must take place within an enclosed building or be screened from view of abutting properties and from all publicly maintained streets, except for outdoor recreational uses, agriculturally oriented uses or functionally water-dependent uses. This standard may be modified by the BOA provided the proposal satisfies the intent of this section.

Refuse and recyclables. All refuse and recyclables must be stored in containers that are screened from view of abutting properties and from streets. No emptying of dumpsters is allowed before 8:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.

Traffic. The home occupation must not result in creating or significantly exacerbating a traffic hazard. Furthermore, the home occupation must not create an objectionable increase in vehicle traffic considering the type, time and amount of vehicle traffic generated and the design and capacity of the roads to the site and traffic normal for the neighborhood.

Retail sales. Retail sales on the premises are limited to the following:

Sales in which customers do not come to the premises, such as mail order or telephone sales;

Sales of products grown, raised or produced on the premises;

Sales of seafood harvested by the residents of the premises;

Sales of items customarily incidental and subordinate to a nonretail home occupation, such as sales of shampoo and hair brushes at a beauty salon; and/or

Sales by appointment only for which any signage identifying the business states a "by appointment only" policy.

Health and safety. The proposed use must not create a health or safety hazard.

Neighborhood compatibility. The proposed use is determined to be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. In reaching this determination, the following factors are to be considered:

The nature of the property;

The physical characteristics of the neighborhood, including the amount of nonresidential activity;

Hours of operation;

Intensity of the activity;

Potential to degrade the quality of life for residents of the surrounding neighborhood; and

The cumulative impact of existing home occupations and other accessory uses both on the premises and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Medical marijuana use is restricted to single-family residences only.

Large lots. When a seventy-five-foot-deep buffer yard is provided between all business activities (including storage and parking, except a driveway) and contiguous properties, and the buffer yard is sufficiently vegetated, fenced or otherwise screened so as to obscure the home occupation activities from an abutting property, the BOA may relax the above standards, except those pertaining to nuisances and prohibited uses, if the use is considered to comply with the intent of this subsection.

Annual renewal.

Upon approval of a major home occupation by the Board of Appeals, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to issue a certificate of occupancy permit for not more than a one-year time period. Such permit may be renewed annually upon application to the Code Enforcement Officer. Operation of a major home occupation with an expired certificate of occupancy is a violation of this Code.

The annual permit may be renewed only if the Code Enforcement Officer finds the major home occupation complies with all applicable standards of this Code and any conditions required by the Board of Appeals in the original approval.

§ 16.5.13 Junkyards and/or automobile salvage yards.

Buffering. Buffering will be 100 feet on all sides except on the street, where 200 feet will be the minimum. Trees, shrubbery and fencing not less than eight feet in height, or all three, may be required by the Board to restrict visibility of the area from the road and neighbors. Land contour is to be taken into consideration. Approval of the junkyard plan is required by the Police, Highway and Fire Departments before any permit is presented to the Town Council for consideration.

Buildings. Office, control or storage building must be inside the buffered area and no more than a maximum of 30 feet in height. The adequacy of buffering is to be considered in allowing heights over 20 feet.

Junk piles. Junk piles may only be inside the buffered area and piled no higher than 15 feet.

Waste. No garbage, toxic waste or liquid or sanitary wastes are permitted. The Maine State Plumbing Code will apply for sanitary waste and any state laws regulating toxic waste. Separate storage must be maintained for toxic waste, including but not limited to oil, grease, gasoline and solvents. This waste must be removed at least twice a year by an accredited dealer in such wastes. All tanks of vehicles must be drained and contents properly disposed of.

Drainage. Provision must be made for proper drainage of stormwater or other wastewater, so that contaminated, rusted or other noticeable effluent does not go beyond actual junk area or into buffering. Special attention is to be given to acceptable drainage of normal stormwater. § 16.7.11C of this title also applies.

Hours of operation. Work in connection with demolishing or wrecking cars or purchasing or selling items is permitted only on Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Signs. One four-foot-by-six-foot maximum, nonilluminated sign is permitted at the entrance to the property.

Cleanliness. Junkyards and salvage yards should be kept reasonably neat and clean, with no debris or other nuisance permitted outside of the buffered area.

Permits. A permit for not more than one year's operation is required in addition to the state permit. The Town fee is as set by the Town Council. Periodic inspections must be made by the Code Enforcement Officer during the year to ensure compliance with the state and local ordinances.

Other standards application. All other applicable standards of this chapter not specifically mentioned here, such as parking, noise, etc., also apply to this use.

§ 16.5.14 Lots.

Dimensions. The lot size, width, depth and shape and orientation and the minimum building setback lines must be appropriate for the location of the development and for the type of development and use contemplated. The lot configuration should be designed to maximize access to solar energy for building sites with suitable orientation.

Lot shape.

The ratio of lot length to width must not be more than 3:1. Flag-shaped lots are prohibited. Other odd-shaped lots in which narrow strips are joined to other parcels in order to meet minimum lot size requirements are also prohibited.

Spaghetti lots prohibited. If any lots in a proposed subdivision have shore frontage on a river, stream, brook or coastal wetland, as these features are defined in 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-B, none of the lots created within the subdivision may have a lot depth to shore frontage ratio greater than 5:1.

Double/reverse frontage lots. Double frontage and reverse frontage lots are to be avoided except where essential to provide separation of residential development from traffic arteries or to overcome specific disadvantages of topography and orientation. A planting screen easement of at least 10 feet, across which there may be no right of access, is to be provided along the lot lines abutting such a traffic artery or other disadvantageous use.

Side lot lines. Side lot lines must be substantially at right angles or radial to street lines.

Substantially larger lots. Where a tract is subdivided into lots substantially larger than the minimum size required in the zone in which a subdivision is located, and where no covenants exist to preclude lots from resubdivision, the Board may require that streets and lots be laid out so as to permit future resubdivision in accordance with the requirements contained in these standards.

Multiple frontages. When lots have frontage on two or more streets, the plan and deed restrictions must indicate vehicular access to be located only on the least traveled way.

Divided lots. If a lot on one side of a stream, tidal water, road or other similar barrier fails to meet the minimum requirements for lot size, it may not be combined with a lot on the other side of such barrier to meet the minimum lot size unless in conformance with § 16.1.8B, General development requirements, conformity.

Off-street parking. Depth and width of properties reserved or laid out for all purposes must be adequate to provide for off-street parking and service facilities for vehicles required by type of development and use contemplated.

Access to arterial street. Where a major subdivision abuts or contains an existing or proposed arterial street, no residential lot may have vehicular access directly onto the arterial street. This requirement must be noted on the plan and in the deed of any lot with frontage on the arterial street.

Land subdivision. The subdividing of land must conform to the requirements of Chapter 16.4.

§ 16.5.15 Manufactured housing.

Standards. Standards for manufactured housing include the following:

All mobile home units must be manufactured after June 15, 1976, and shall have a manufacturer-installed sticker indicating HUD approval.

All units must be manufactured with a pitched, shingled roof, with a minimum slope three inches on 12 inches (3:12).

All units must have residential-type siding, such as clapboards, shakes, horizontally applied aluminum, or vinyl resembling clapboards.

All units, excluding individual mobile home park installations, must have a permanent foundation, which may be either a full basement or a poured or block frost wall.

All other sections of this title must be adhered to.

§ 16.5.16 Mineral/earth material exploration and removal.

Topsoil, rock, sand, gravel and similar earth materials may be removed from locations where permitted under the terms of this title, only after a special permit for such operations has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer, upon approval and review of plans by the Planning Board in accordance with the provisions of this title, and provided that nothing herein may be deemed to apply to normal excavation operations incidental to construction activities for which a valid permit is held. The following standards must be met:

The applicant must submit to the Code Enforcement Officer plans of the proposed extraction site, showing the property lines and names of all abutting owners and ways, indicating by not greater than five-foot contour intervals related to U.S. Geodetic Survey data, the location and slope of the grades existing and as proposed upon completion of the extraction operation; proposed fencing; buffer strips; signs; lighting; parking and loading areas; entrances and exits, together with a written statement of the proposed method, regularity, working hours and total proposed rehabilitation and restoration of the site upon completion of the operation.

Said plans and statement are to be promptly submitted with the recommendations of the Code Enforcement Officer to the Planning Board for its consideration with respect to the effect of the proposed operation upon existing and foreseeable traffic patterns within the Town, upon existing or approved land uses which might be affected by the operations. The Planning Board may recommend changes to the applicant for resubmission to the Planning Board. The Planning Board is to promptly call and hold a public hearing upon the final application in the same manner as provided for any final plan review.

The Planning Board shall render a written decision as to whether, and under what conditions, the proposed operation may be permitted, consistent with public health and safety; the preservation of attractive natural features; compatibility, despite temporary and reasonable disturbance, with existing or approved land uses which might be affected; and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. If the Planning Board approves the application, it may condition the special permit upon such alterations in the proposed operation or upon the performance or omission of such acts as it may deem proper to assure attainment of the objectives set forth in the preceding sentence, and it may require filing of a performance guaranty in an amount and form acceptable to the Town Manager to indemnify the Town against any claims arising from the proposed operations and to assure satisfactory performance of all conditions imposed or otherwise applicable.

Mandatory restrictions. All extraction operations and sites within the Town must be conducted and maintained in accordance with, and the Planning Board shall impose, such conditions upon any special permit issued under this subsection as it deems necessary or desirable to assure compliance with the following requirements:

Mineral exploration to determine the nature or extent of mineral resources must be accomplished by hand sampling, test boring, or other methods which create minimal disturbance of less than 100 square feet of ground surface. A permit from the Code Enforcement Officer is required for mineral exploration which exceeds the above limitation. All excavations, including test pits and holes, must immediately be capped, filled or secured by other equally effective measures so as to restore disturbed areas and to protect the public health and safety.

Mineral extraction, including sand and gravel extraction, is prohibited within the Conservation, Shoreland Overlay and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.

No part of any extraction operation may be permitted within 100 feet of any property or street line, and natural vegetation must be left and maintained on the undisturbed land. Minimize the volume of earth cut and fill, in general, with no cut or fill greater than seven feet for construction in an urban residential zone. Topographical change will not result in cuts or fills exceeding seven feet.

No standing water may be permitted in any extraction site during or after extraction operations; except that, during or after extraction operations, standing water may be permitted under strict conditions with respect to fencing, safe levels of coliform bacteria count, and treatment to prevent breeding of insects so as to assure the public health and safety, as determined by the Town Health Officer.

No slopes steeper than three feet horizontal to one foot vertical may be permitted at any extraction site unless a fence at least three feet high is erected to limit access to such locations.

Before commencing removal of any earth materials, the owner or operator of the extraction site must present evidence to the Planning Board of insurance against liability arising from the proposed extraction operations and maintain such insurance throughout the period of operation.

Any topsoil and subsoil suitable for purposes of revegetation must, to the extent required for restoration, be stripped from the locations of extraction operations and stockpiled for use in restoring the location after extraction operations have ceased.

Upon completion of active extraction operations, the land must be left so that natural storm drainage and watercourses leave the location at the original natural drainage points and in a manner such that the amount of drainage at any point is not significantly increased.

The hours of operation at any extraction site are to be limited as the Planning Board deems advisable to ensure operational compatibility with residents of the Town.

Loaded vehicles must be suitable covered to prevent dust and contents from spilling or blowing from the load, and all trucking routes and methods are subject to approval by the Chief of Police.

All access roads leading from the extraction site to public ways must be treated with stone, calcium or other suitable materials to reduce dust and mud for a distance of at least 100 feet from such public ways.

No equipment, debris, junk or other material is permitted at an extraction site except those directly relating to active extraction operations, and any temporary shelters or building erected for such operations and equipment used in connection therewith must be removed within 30 days following completion of active extraction operations.

Following the completion of extraction operations at any extraction site or at any one or more locations within any extraction site, ground levels and grades must be established in accordance with the approved plans filed with the Planning Board; all debris, stumps, boulders and similar materials must be removed and disposed of in an approved location or, in the case of inorganic material, buried and covered with a minimum of two feet of soil. Sufficient topsoil or loam must be retained to cover all disturbed areas, so that they must be revegetated and properly restored to a stable condition adequate to meet the provisions of the "Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs," March 2003.

Issuance and renewal of permits. Special permits may be issued in accordance with the foregoing provisions for a period not to exceed one year, and they are renewable only upon application by the owner, after a finding by the Planning Board that the conduct of the operation has been substantially in accordance with any and all conditions imposed or material representations made in connection with the original special permit, and upon such additional and altered conditions as the Board may deem necessary in accordance with Subsection A(3) of this section.

§ 16.5.17 Mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Permit required. No person, firm, corporation or other legal entity may establish or maintain a mobile home park, recreational vehicle park or campground within the Town without a permit issued in conformity with the provisions of this title. It is the park operator's responsibility to obtain the permit.

Application. Application for a mobile home park, recreational vehicle park or campground permit must be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer, who will present said application to the Planning Board for review as a subdivision, except that permit renewals are not subject to Board review. The Board must review the proposal in accordance with the standards contained herein and inform the CEO of its decision. The CEO shall then act on the application as required.

Fee and expiration. Each application for a permit or a renewal thereof must be accompanied by a fee as established by the Town Council for a mobile home park, recreational vehicle park or campground designed for the accommodation of no more than 10 manufactured housing units, recreational vehicles or tent sites and an additional fee, as established by the Town Council, for each additional manufactured housing unit, recreational vehicle or tent site located at the site. (See Appendix A for annual mobile home park fee schedule.) Permits expire on the first day of April next following date of issuance. Before any permit is renewed, the premises are subject to inspection by the Health Officer and CEO. If all requirements of this and other federal, state and local laws have been complied with, the same is to be certified and the permit renewed.

Permit display. Permits issued under this section must be conspicuously posted on the premises at all times and are not transferable.

Revocation. The CEO is authorized to revoke any permit issued under this section pursuant to the terms of this title if, after due investigation, it is determined the holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of this or any applicable code, law or statute.

Compliance. Applications for development of mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds must comply with all state laws and local ordinances and meet the requirements of subdivision law, except as stipulated below. Such developments in existence prior to adoption of this title may be enlarged only if the extension complies with the terms specified herein.

Recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds. In any district where campgrounds or recreational vehicle parks are permitted under the terms of this title (see §16.9.4D(2) for campgrounds in shoreland zones), the following regulations and minimum standards apply:

A time limit is placed on the occupancy of any one camping space on a continuing basis as follows: 12 weeks for the period May 15 to October 15 of each year and two weeks for all other periods. No recreational vehicles or manufactured housing units other than such as are camping units, as defined herein, are permitted within any camper park, temporarily or otherwise.

A campground or recreational vehicle park may not be constructed on less than five acres of land.

Each tent site must be provided with a masonry or metal fireplace approved by the Fire Chief.

Spaces in campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks may be used by travel trailers, equivalent facilities constructed in or on automotive vehicles, tents or other short-term shelter devices.

A recreational vehicle park or campground must provide water and sewerage systems, sanitary stations and convenience facilities in accordance with the regulations of the State Plumbing Code and the Maine Department of Human Services. In no case may less than one toilet, lavatory and shower be provided for each sex for every 10 camping and tent sites or major portion thereof.

Recreational vehicles must be parked on sites containing a minimum of 2,500 square feet and having a minimum frontage along the traveled way of 50 feet, exclusive of drives and aisles.

Tent sites must contain a minimum of 2,500 square feet. There must be a minimum of 30 feet between tents.

Recreational vehicles must be so parked in spaces that:

There will be a minimum of 15 feet between vehicles.

There will be a minimum of 15 feet between all recreational vehicles and the exterior boundary of the park.

There will be a minimum of 25 feet between all recreational vehicles and all public rights-of-way located inside the boundaries of the recreational vehicle park or campground. Setbacks from roads outside the recreational vehicle park will be a minimum of 150 feet.

No camping unit or structure may be located less than 100 feet from any residence.

Buffering: planting, landscaping, disposition and form of building and other improvements, or fencing and screening is to be utilized to integrate the proposed development with the landscape and the character of any surrounding development.

The storage, collection and disposal of refuse must not create health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident hazards or air pollution.

No unoccupied camping unit may be stored or exhibited for sale for commercial purposes within the park.

Mobile home parks.

Mobile home parks, by special exception, may be located as indicated in Chapter 16.4.

Lots within a shoreland zoning district must meet the lot area, setback and shore frontage requirements for that district.

Lots in a mobile home park must meet the following lot size, width and density requirements:

Lots by public sewer.

Minimum lot area: 6,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 50 feet.

Lots served by individual on-site subsurface wastewater disposal system.

Minimum lot area: 20,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 100 feet.

Lots served by a central on-site subsurface wastewater disposal system. (Note: The overall density of a mobile home park served by a central on-site subsurface wastewater disposal system may be no greater than one unit per 20,000 square feet of total park area.)

Minimum lot area: 12,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 75 feet.

The overall density of the mobile home park is the combined area of its mobile home lots plus:

The area required for road rights-of-way;

The area required for buffer strips, if any;

For areas served by public sewer, an open space area for storage and recreation equal to 10% of the combined area of the individual lots; and

The area within the municipality's shoreland setback.

All buildings on the lot, including accessory buildings and structures, but excluding open decks and parking spaces, may not cover more than 50% of the lot area.

The following setback rules apply to all mobile homes and accessory buildings:

Front and side setbacks are to be 20 feet; rear setbacks, 10 feet. If these requirements conflict with the requirements of the title, 38 M.R.S.A. § 435 et seq., Mandatory Shoreland Zoning, or subsequent amendments or revisions thereto, the stricter standards apply.

If a lot is on a public road, the setback must conform with the residential setback requirements applicable to other residential dwelling units in the zone.

So as to avoid monotony and sameness, the Code Enforcement Officer may allow:

The front setback on a private road within a mobile home park to be varied, provided no mobile home may be closer than 10 feet from the right-of-way and the average distance is at least 20 feet for all units.

The replacement and/or relocation of a mobile home to be located no closer to the front yard setback than the existing mobile home or pad.

Carports of noncombustible materials are not subject to setback requirements.

The CEO may allow side yard setbacks to be reduced to five feet, provided a distance of 20 feet is maintained between mobile homes for the purpose of providing more usable yard space on one side of the home.

A minimum twenty-foot separation must be maintained between all mobile homes in all directions.

All buildings on the lot, including accessory buildings and structures, but excluding open decks and parking spaces, may cover not more than 50% of the lot area.

Where a developer elects to create a mobile home park where all land is under unified ownership, the park plan must demonstrate that the development standards described herein are met.

Privately owned roads within the mobile home park must be designed by a professional engineer, registered in the State of Maine, and built according to accepted engineering standards.

The layout and general development plan for major and minor access streets within the mobile home park, together with the location and dimensions of access junctions with existing public streets and rights-of-way must be approved by the Planning Board.

For mobile home parks expected to generate 200 trips per day or more, there must be at least two entrances from public streets or roads.

Mobile home park streets which intersect with public roads must meet the following standards:

Angle of intersection. The desired angle of intersection is to be 90°. The minimum angle of intersection is to be 75°.

Grade. The maximum permissible grade within 75 feet of the intersection is 2%.

Minimum sight distance. The minimum sight distance must be 10 times the posted speed limit on the existing road. Sight distance is measured from the driver's seat of a vehicle that is 10 feet behind the curb or edge of shoulder line with the height of the eye 3 1/2 feet above the pavement and the height of an object 4 1/4 feet.

Distance from other intersections. The center line of any street within a park intersecting an existing public street must be at least 125 feet from the center line of any other street intersecting that public street.

Right-of-way and pavement width are to be as follows:

Two-way park roads must have a minimum right-of-way of 23 feet and a minimum paved surface of 20 feet. On-street parking is prohibited.

One-way streets must have a minimum right-of-way of 18 feet and a minimum paved surface of 14 feet. On-street parking is prohibited.

Parking lanes are to be a minimum of eight feet in width, if provided.

Cul-de-sac turnarounds are to have minimum radii of 50 feet at the outer edge of the pavement, exclusive of any parking areas.

Curvilinear streets must be utilized wherever possible. No street within the park may be more than 200 feet without a curve or bend.

If the developer intends to dedicate park streets to the public, such streets must meet municipal standards as contained in § 16.7.12F and § 16.8.11J of this chapter.

No mobile home lot may have vehicular access directly onto a state highway.

A traffic impact analysis is required if the park will generate more than 500 trips/day.

Parking requirements for mobile home park areas follows:

For each mobile home lot there must be provided and maintained at least two off-street parking spaces. This requirement may be waived if an equivalent number of spaces are provided by a parking lane. Each space is design-dependent as indicated in Table 16.7.11F of this chapter, set out at the end of § 16.7.11E and F, Parking loading and traffic. This requirement may be waived if an equivalent number of spaces are provided by a parking lane.

In addition to occupant parking, off-street guest and service parking must be provided within the boundaries of the park at a ratio of one space for each four mobile home lots. Such parking must be reserved for that sole use. This requirement may be waived if a parking lane provides an equivalent number of spaces.

On-street parking is prohibited unless an eight-foot parking lane is provided, in which case on-street parking may be permitted on the side of the road where the parking lane is located.

The mobile home park must contain pedestrian walkways that link all units and all service and recreational facilities. Such walkways are to be adequately surfaced and lit. A portion of the road surface may be reserved for walkways, provided the street width is increased accordingly. Walkways should be a minimum of width of three feet.

Outdoor lighting is to be provided to adequately illuminate internal streets and pedestrian walkways. Lights are to be sized and directed to avoid adverse impacts on adjacent properties and vehicular traffic.

Open space calculations are as follows:

For a mobile home park served by a public sewer, an area amounting to 10% of the total area devoted to individual lots must be set aside for open space and/or recreation. Such space is to be accessible and usable by all residents of the park. Parking space, driveways and streets and buffer areas are not considered usable open space but community recreation buildings, pools and courts are considered as open space.

At least 50% of the required open space must consist of land that is suitable for active recreation.

All developed open space is to be designed and landscaped for the use and enjoyment of the park residents and maintained for their long-term use. Plans for these areas must be submitted by the developer.

To the maximum extent possible, undeveloped open space must be left in its natural state. Improvements to make trails for walking and jogging or to make picnic areas are permitted.

The developer must submit, as part of the application, a copy of that portion of the proposed park rules and a plan which specify how the open space is to be used and maintained and what conditions apply to its use. The plan must specify the area to be dedicated open space or recreation.

Open space must be maintained and used for its approved purposes.

All mobile home parks must provide permanent electrical, water and sewage disposal connections to each mobile home in accordance with applicable state and local rules and regulations. If other than public water is to be utilized, the water system(s) must be capable of delivering 250 gallons per day per lot of water certified to be of primary drinking water standards.

Signs and advertising devices are prohibited in a mobile home park, except:

One identifying sign at each entrance of the mobile home park sized in compliance with § 16.5.16 of this chapter may be installed.

Directional and informational signs for the convenience of tenants and the public relative to parking, office, traffic movement, etc., are permitted.

Mobile/manufactured home for-sale signs, provided that such signs that face a public road may be no more than 10 square feet and limited to two signs per mobile home park.

Mobile/manufactured homes address signs are permitted when in compliance with § 16.5.17 of this chapter.

The styles and location of the identifying sign must not interfere with vehicle sight distance and be constructed in accordance with § 16.5.17D(17) of this chapter.

At least 300 cubic feet of enclosed tenant storage facilities must be conveniently provided on or near each mobile home lot for the storage of materials and equipment.

(19)

A storm drainage plan must be prepared by a professional engineer, registered in the State of Maine, in accordance with § 16.7.11C, Stormwater drainage. Such plan must be approved by the York County Soil and Water Conservation District or found satisfactory and compliant to the Code by the Town's Engineering Peer Reviewer prior to Planning Board approval of the final plan.

(20)

Groundwater requirements for mobile home parks are as contained in § 16.7.11J, which must be complied with for all mobile home park applications.

(21)

Each mobile home lot must be provided with an area for refuse storage. Within a maximum 150 feet from each mobile home lot, there must be a fly-tight, watertight and rodent-proof container capable of storing the amount of refuse that the mobile home park for which it was designed could generate within one week as well as any separation containers as required by the Kittery recycling program. The park management is responsible for disposal of refuse from such containers at least once a week.

(22)

Buffering requirements are as follows:

A fifty-foot-wide buffer strip must be provided along all property boundary lines that:

Abut residential land which has a gross density of less than 1/2 that proposed in the park; or

Abut residential land that is zoned at a density of less than 1/2 that proposed in the park.

Further, no structures, streets or utilities may be placed in the buffer strip, except that they may cross a buffer strip to provide services to the park.

Within 25 feet of any property line and within the buffer strip, visual screening and/or landscaping must be provided. The visual screening may consist of fences, berms, landscaping (such as shrubs or trees) and/or natural existing vegetation. This screening is to effectively screen at least 80% of the homes from view from the adjacent property and be maintained throughout the life of the project.

(23)

The owner or operator of a mobile home park is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of all park-owned structures, open space areas, roads and pedestrianways/sidewalks. Park management must comply with state laws. Compliance with this title does not exempt the park owner, developer or manager from complying with other applicable local, state and federal codes and regulations.

(24)

No development or subdivision which is approved under this section as a mobile home park may be convened to another use without the approval of the Planning Board and meeting the appropriate lot size, lot width, setback and other requirements contained in this title. The approved final plan is to be recorded at the York County Registry of Deeds and filed with the Town and have noted the following restrictions as well as any other notes or conditions of approval: 1) "The land within this park must remain in a unified ownership and the fee to lots or portions of lots not be transferred"; 2) "No dwelling unit other than a mobile home unit may be located within the park."

§ 16.5.18 Net residential acreage.

[Amended 11-27-2023; 5-13-2024; 12-9-2024; 6-23-2025]

Purpose: to protect public health, safety, and welfare by prioritizing preservation of environmentally sensitive areas and land for public or quasi-public facilities during development of parcels in Kittery's limited growth zones by excluding those areas from development density calculations.

Applicability: applies to development of land located in limited growth areas as designated in the Comprehensive Plan and to residential development that will not be served by public water and sewer facilities. Development of parcels located in targeted growth areas served by public sewer and water is subject to provisions for lot area as defined in Chapter 16.3 for calculating lot area, lot coverage, or unit density.

Net residential acreage calculation. The total number of dwelling units allowed is equal to the net residential acreage divided by the minimum net residential acreage per dwelling unit for a given land use zone. To calculate net residential acreage, the land area listed below must be subtracted from a parcel's gross area. Where land areas to be subtracted overlap, the area therein is subtracted once. Land area within conservation easements does not need to be subtracted from a parcel's gross area except where it also contains any of the land areas listed below.

All land located below the highest annual tide elevation as published in the Maine DEP Highest Annual Tide (HAT) levels for the most-current year.

All land located within the floodplain as defined in the definition of "flood, 100-year" in Chapter 16.3.

All wetlands as defined in the definition of "wetland" in Chapter 16.3, as well as vernal pools, ponds, lakes, streams and other water bodies, including 50% of the associated setbacks described in other buildings and structures, Table 16.5.30, Chapter 16.5 of this title.

All land located on filled tidal lands, per the definition of "tidal land, filled" in Chapter 16.3.

All land located within existing rights-of-way and other existing easements for access or utilities wherein dwelling units cannot be built.

All land located within proposed rights-of-way, including parking and travel ways. Driveways are excluded.

All land isolated from the principal location for development on the parcel by a road/street, existing land uses, or any physical feature, natural or man-made, such that it creates a barrier to the central development of the site and no means of access is proposed nor likely to be provided in the future. However, to demonstrate that identified isolated land may be considered developable for the purpose of this calculation, the applicant must submit a plan and supporting documentation for the Board's consideration.

All land one acre or more of contiguous area with sustained slopes of 20% or greater.

All land identified as exposed bedrock, and soils with a drainage class of "poorly drained" and/or "very poorly drained" as defined in the definition of "soils" in Chapter 16.3.

50% of all land characterized as drainage class of "somewhat poorly drained," unless public sewer is used, in which case no land area is subtracted.

All land area within a cemetery and burying ground as defined in Chapter 16.3, including associated setback per 13 M.R.S.A. § 1371-A, Limitations on construction and excavation near burial sites.

All land within a Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Uses Overlay Zone or Resource Protection Overlay Zone not included in Subsection B(11) above.

Exemption to net residential acreage.

For property owners proposing the creation of one single-family dwelling and/or one single lot division in a limited growth area, the applicant may be allowed to adhere to lot area per dwelling rather than net residential acreage if they obtain approval from the Board of Appeals under the provisions of a miscellaneous variation request, as outlined in § 16.2.12. The Board of Appeals shall review any appeal decision in conformance with § 16.2.12F, Basis for decision, as well as the following criteria:

Any proposed dwelling unit is located outside of any Shoreland, Resource Protection, or Commercial Fisheries Overlay Zone.

Any future lots or units created from the lot shall be required to meet net residential acreage per dwelling unit standards.

Any proposed new lot contain a minimum of 20,000 square feet of upland.

§ 16.5.19 Nonstormwater discharge.

Basis/purpose/objectives.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, through its listing of Kittery as a regulated small MS4, necessitates enactment of this section as part of the municipality's stormwater management plan.

[Amended 5-8-2023]

The purpose of this section is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the Town of Kittery, through the regulation of nonstormwater discharges to the municipality's storm drainage system as required by federal and state law. This article establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the Town's storm drainage system in order to comply with requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act[1] and state law.

Editor's Note: See 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.

The objectives of this article are:

To prohibit unpermitted or unapproved nonstormwater discharges to the storm drainage system; and

To set forth the legal authority and procedures to carry out all inspection, monitoring and enforcement activities necessary to ensure compliance with this section.

Applicability. This section shall apply to all persons discharging stormwater and/or nonstormwater discharge from any premise into the storm drainage system.

Responsibility for administration. The Code Enforcement Officer is the enforcement authority who shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this section.

Prohibition of nonstormwater discharges.

Except as allowed or exempted herein, a person may not create, initiate, originate or maintain a nonstormwater discharge to the storm drainage system. Such nonstormwater discharges are prohibited even where the municipality has approved the connections, drains or conveyances through which a person creates an illicit nonstormwater discharge to the storm drainage system.

The creation, initiation, origination and maintenance of the following nonstormwater discharges to the storm drainage system are allowed as long as they do not cause or contribute to a violation of the state's water quality standards:

Flow. Landscape irrigation; diverted stream flows; rising groundwaters; uncontaminated groundwater infiltration [as defined at 40 CFR 35.2005(20)]; uncontaminated pumped groundwater; uncontaminated flows from foundation drains; air-conditioning and compressor condensate; irrigation water; flows from uncontaminated springs; uncontaminated water from crawl space pumps; uncontaminated flows from footing drains; lawn watering runoff; flows from riparian habitats and wetlands; residual street wash water (where spills/leaks of toxic or hazardous materials have not occurred, unless all spilled material has been removed and detergents are not used); hydrant flushing and firefighting activity runoff; water line flushing and discharges from potable water sources; individual residential car washing; and dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, as defined as having 0.05 ppm or less. Pools may only be emptied a minimum of 48 hours after any chemical treatments were added.

[Amended 5-8-2023]

Discharges specified in writing by the enforcement authority as being necessary to protect public health and safety.

Dye testing, with verbal notification to the enforcement authority prior to the time of the test.

Exempt person or discharge. This article shall not apply to an exempt person or discharge, except that the enforcement authority may request from exempt persons and persons with exempt discharges copies of permits, notices of intent, licenses and orders from the EPA or DEP that authorize the discharge(s).

Suspension of access to municipality's storm drainage system.

The enforcement authority may, without prior notice, physically suspend discharge access to the storm drainage system to a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened nonstormwater discharge to the storm drainage system which presents or may present imminent and substantial danger to the environment, or to the health or welfare of persons, or to the storm drainage system, or which may cause the municipality to violate the terms of its environmental permits. Such suspension may include, but is not limited to, blocking pipes, constructing dams or taking other measures, on public ways or public property, to physically block the discharge to prevent or minimize a nonstormwater discharge to the storm drainage system.

If the person fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency, the enforcement authority may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the storm drainage system, or to minimize danger to persons. Only with the consent of the premises' owner, occupant or agent may the enforcement authority enter the premises that are the source of the actual or threatened nonstormwater discharge to the storm drainage system.

Monitoring of discharges. In order to determine compliance with this section, the enforcement authority may enter upon and inspect premises subject to this section at reasonable hours with the consent of the premises' owner, occupant or agent: to inspect the premises and connections thereon to the storm drainage system; and to conduct monitoring, sampling and testing of the discharge to the storm drainage system.

Enforcement and penalties. See §§ 16.2.7 and 16.2.14.

Ultimate responsibility of discharger. The standards set forth herein are minimum standards; therefore this section does not intend nor imply that compliance by any person will ensure that there will be no contamination, pollution, nor unauthorized discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S. caused by said person. This section shall not create liability on the part of the municipality, or any officer agent or employee thereof for any damages that result from any person's reliance on this article or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder.

§ 16.5.20 Outdoor dining.

Applicability.

Outdoor dining, as defined in Chapter § 16.3 of this title, is allowed as follows:

Within the buildable lot area in all zoning districts where restaurants are allowed as either a permitted or a special exception use;

Within the front, side and/or rear yards (setbacks) of the C-1, C-2, C-3, B-L, B-L1, MU, MU-BI, MU-KF and MU-N Zones where such a setback does not abut a residential use; and

Outdoor dining in the public way is permitted subject to Title 5 and all Town requirements.

Any existing restaurant that meets the above requirements may apply for approval for outdoor dining on-site.

New restaurants to be constructed may include outdoor dining plans on-site as part of their site plan review.

Standards.

Outdoor dining on-site must meet all the requirements of the pertinent zone's buffering and screening requirements.

Proposed outdoor dining on-site must comply with all conditions pertaining to any existing variances, special exceptions or other approvals granted for the property as well as any conditions imposed by the granting of the site plan review approval for the outdoor dining itself.

All the proposed outdoor dining activities must be conducted on private property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the applicant unless separate approval for the use of any public rights-of-way has been obtained from the Town.

The proposed outdoor dining must not impede a site's internal circulation or its access and egress.

No additional parking is required for outdoor dining at existing restaurants where on-street parking is available. For outdoor dining areas in existing restaurants where on-street parking is not available, if the outdoor dining area is 1,000 square feet or less, no additional parking is required. For outdoor dining areas in existing restaurants over 1,000 square feet but less than 2,000 square feet, one additional parking space is required. Thereafter, one additional parking space is required for every additional 1,000 square feet.

Site plan review submission requirements.

The site plan must be drawn to scale, showing the dimensions of the proposed outdoor dining area, and its location relative to the structure where the restaurant is located.

The site plan must show the location of any proposed or existing pavement, hardscaping, landscaping, planters, fencing, canopies, umbrellas, awnings or barriers surrounding or delineating the outside dining area.

Calculations demonstrating the number of tables that may be placed within the proposed outdoor dining area according to state and local regulations must be submitted.

The above submission requirements are all that is required for outdoor dining areas that require Code Enforcement approval under § 16.2.6. For outdoor dining areas that must be reviewed under site plan review, the above requirements must be met in addition to the submission requirements of Chapter 16.7 unless a submission requirements waiver is granted by the Planning Board.

§ 16.5.21 Overboard discharge systems.

Treated overboard discharge system defined. "Treated overboard discharge system" means any sand-filter system, mechanical system or primary treatment with disinfection system designed to State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection specifications which discharges effluent or other liquids into any water body or watercourse.

Permit requirement. No person, firm or corporation may construct, install or maintain any treated overboard discharge system without first obtaining a Town permit for the same. Such permit is in addition to any other permit or license required by state or federal authorities for the same.

Permit application.

Application for permit; fee. All applicants for permits must first apply to the Board of Appeals with a copy of the application given to the Code Enforcement Officer. The application form for a treated overboard discharge system must include the property owner's name and mailing address and telephone number, the applicant's name and address and telephone number, the location address; tax maps and lot numbers; engineer's scale drawing showing all relevant details of the system; and any other information deemed relevant or necessary by either the Board of Appeals or the Code Enforcement Officer. A fee as set out in Appendix A is required for each application. Application forms are to be available from the Code Enforcement Officer.

Issuance of permits; fee. The treated overboard discharge permit may be issued by the Code Enforcement Officer only after Board of Appeals approval. A permit issue fee as set out in Appendix A is required for each system.

Notice of hearing.

Upon receipt of the completed application, the Board must timely notify the Code Enforcement Officer of the established hearing date, which may be no more than 30 days from the date of the receipted application. The Code Enforcement Officer must also notify the Planning Board, abutters and applicant of the hearing date. The Code Enforcement Officer must also give public notice of the permit hearing date by advertising the same in a newspaper of general circulation within the Town at least seven days prior to the hearing date.

For the purposes of this section, the abutting owners of property are considered to be the parties listed by the Assessors of taxes for the Town as those against whom taxes are assessed. Failure of any property owner to receive a notice of public hearing does not necessitate another hearing or invalidate any action by the Board of Appeals.

Conduct of hearing and standards. The Board must conduct the hearing on the application for a treated overboard discharge system permit by following the same procedures established for the consideration of a special exception under the terms of § 16.2.12.

The Board may receive oral and documentary evidence and testimony. At the close of the evidentiary portion of the hearing, the Board must consider whether the effluent or discharge from the proposed treated overboard discharge system will have a negative impact on any aquatic or fowl life, will lower the water quality standard or impair the uses designated by the classification of the receiving waters. In addition, the Board may consider any relevant provisions of the performance standards set forth in Chapters 16.5, 16.7 and 16.8.

The Board may also consider any relevant state or federal statute, rules or regulations bearing on the same. After applying the standards contained herein, the Board must issue its decision containing its findings of fact and conclusions and approve the application if the Board is satisfied that the standards have been met.

Notice of decision. The Board of Appeals must notify the applicant, in writing, of its decision no later than 10 days thereafter.

Systems exempted. The permit requirement of this chapter does not apply to any sewage disposal system in operation at the time this chapter is adopted or the subsequent repair or replacement of any such system, including replacement by treated overboard discharge system, except that any treated overboard discharge system, as defined herein and operating as of the date of the adoption of this chapter or subsequently installed as a replacement for an existing malfunction in-ground or overboard system under license by the State of Maine, is required to conform to the standards of maintenance and monitoring set forth in § 16.5.21E.

Standards of maintenance and monitoring. Treated overboard discharge systems that are operating by virtue of a permit issued under the terms of this chapter, or any such system operating as of the date of the enactment of this chapter pursuant to a license issued by the State of Maine, must be maintained and monitored pursuant to the following standards:

Disinfection. Disinfection is to be provided in a manner acceptable to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. An approved disinfectant must be used and maintained according to the replacement or renewal schedule established by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Septic tanks. Septic tanks which are part of an overboard discharge system must be pumped annually to ensure that the accumulated sludge is never nearer than 12 inches to the invert of the outlet pipe leading from the septic tank to the sand filter.

Monitoring.

The permit holder and/or the property owner must supply to the Code Enforcement Officer, prior to August 1 of each year, a report of the effluent analysis conducted by a recognized testing laboratory. All water samples for evaluation must be obtained and analyzed during the month of July. Each analysis must include the following tests:

Fecal coliform (number of colonies per milligram of water);

Biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids (mg/l); and

Settleable solids (mg/l after a twenty-minute settling period in an Imhoff cone).

In addition to the requirements contained in this subsection, the Code Enforcement Officer may require periodic operational reports from recognized laboratories in such form and containing such information as the Code Enforcement Officer may require.

Sand filters. Whenever the BOD levels exceed the limits specified in the regulations of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, or when there are other indications of the sand filter malfunctioning, the sand filter is to be inspected by a qualified professional. If the sand filter is found to be clogged, it must be replaced with new material meeting specifications of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Emergency measures. In the event that a treated overboard discharge system is found to be malfunctioning, for any reason, the septic or settling tank must be pumped immediately and continue to be pumped as often as required until the malfunctioning is corrected.

Malfunctioning of systems. The permit owner and/or property owner must immediately notify the Code Enforcement Officer of any malfunction of any component of the treated overboard discharge system. In the event that the system malfunctions, the Code Enforcement Officer may order that the effluent discharge cease within a time set by the Code Enforcement Officer.

System construction.

Notice to Code Enforcement Officer and DEP. Before any work is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued under the terms of this chapter, the permit holder and/or property owner must notify the Code Enforcement Officer and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at least seven days prior to commencement of the system's construction in order that all proper inspections of the proposed construction may be made by the Code Enforcement Officer and the DEP.

Certificate of compliance. Upon the completion of the construction of the treated overboard discharge system and prior to its operation, the Code Enforcement Officer is to issue a certificate of compliance, certifying that the system complies with all municipal ordinances, rules and regulations.

Violations and penalties. Failure to conform to the provisions of the chapter constitutes a violation. A written notice of violation must be sent by the Code Enforcement Officer to the permit holder and/or the property owner operating the treated overboard discharge system which is in noncompliance with this chapter.

This notice is to be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and must inform the permit holder and/or property owner of the deadline for correcting the malfunction. The permit holder and/or property owner is to be given a reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days, to correct the malfunction.

If the violation is not corrected within this specified time period, the Code Enforcement Officer must notify the permit holder and/or the property owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the permit is revoked.

Each day that the system is allowed to discharge after the notice of permit revocation is received constitutes a separate offense. A fine of not more than $100 will be levied for each such separate offense. In addition to the remedy contained herein, said violation constitutes a nuisance for which the municipality, through its Code Enforcement Officer, may seek adequate remedy.

Any actual and direct expenses incurred by the Town in abatement of such nuisance may be recovered from the permit holder and/or property owner by civil complaint.

Property rights. The issuance of any permit authorized by this chapter does not convey any property rights to the permit holder. The permit holder and/or the property owner, by accepting the permit under the terms of this chapter, consent to allow the Code Enforcement Officer or authorized agent, at all reasonable and proper times, to enter upon the property for inspection of the system or otherwise enforce the terms of this chapter.

Permit expiration date. Such permit automatically expires within 90 days after the municipal sanitary sewer system becomes available within 200 feet of the property line of the lot or parcel of land on which the treated overboard discharge system is located, as measured along the public way.

§ 16.5.22 Piers, wharves, marinas and other uses projecting into water bodies.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

See §16.9.4D(5), Piers, docks, wharves, and other uses projecting into water bodies.

§ 16.5.23 Signs.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to balance the need for adequate identification and advertising for land uses to promote the economic well-being of the Town with the need to protect the public safety and maintain and enhance the physical appearance of the community. This objective is to be achieved by:

Allowing adequate signage for the effective use of signs as a means of identifying, advertising and communication of land uses;

Establishing the appropriate bounds for location, size, number, type and use of signs to protect traffic safety, preserve property values and to promote visual order and clarity; and

Establishing procedures and regulations for the fair and consistent administration and enforcement of these sign restrictions.

Nonconforming existing signs.

All signs lawfully existing on October 1, 1997, that do not conform to the terms of this section may be continued and maintained, subject to § 16.5.23B(2), but may neither be enlarged nor substantially altered except in conformity with this section.

Lawfully nonconforming signs must be made to conform or be removed if any of the following circumstances occur, individually or in combination, for a consecutive three-year time period:

The sign has ceased to be accurate by reason of vacancy or closure of the business which the sign advertises.

The sign face is blank, illegible, obscured, painted over, concealed or otherwise not decipherable.

In no event may the degree of nonconformity of any sign or type of signage on any lot be increased.

General requirements.

No sign may be erected, posted, enlarged, or substantially changed without a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) and also approved by the Town Planner, except where § 16.5.23J provides otherwise.

No exterior sign may be artificially illuminated except where hooded or shielded or otherwise designed to prevent direct light spilling onto traveled ways or neighboring property.

No sign may contain a moving message board or intermittent illumination, except where necessary in time/temperature/date signs.

Any sign that interferes with or closely imitates any official traffic sign, signal or device is prohibited.

No sign designed to be transported by means of wheels is allowed, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day transportation operations of the business. All trailer signs are prohibited.

Any changeable message signs must be integrated into a permanently-mounted sign. Such a changeable message board is to be mounted a minimum of 3 1/2 feet above ground level.

All signs must be maintained in a safe and sound structural condition.

Advertising. No advertising or signage is permitted on wireless communication services facilities.

Any sign not expressly permitted herein is prohibited.

Sign location.

All signs must be permanently installed on the premises of the activity to which the advertising message refers, except where § 16.5.23H provides otherwise or upon approval by the Town Council.

All signs must be located outside the full width of the right-of-way of any public way, unless authorized by the Town Council.

Except for signs authorized in §§ 16.5.23H and 16.5.23J, freestanding signs erected after October 1, 1997, must be located at least 33 feet from the center line of any U.S. or state numbered highway less than 66 feet in width and at least 20 feet from the outside edge of the paved portion of any travel lane of any U.S. or state numbered highway which has both more than two travel lanes and a total paved portion in excess of 24 feet in width.

Signs must not be placed on or above the roof of any building. All signs must be located below the level of the eaves of the portion of building where the sign is to be erected, except as follows:

Signage may be located above the eaves on a gable or dormer of a building, providing it does not extend above or beyond the roofline of the gable or dormer; and

Signage may be located on a parapet wall, provided the sign neither extends any more than eight feet above the roof-wall junction of the parapet wall nor extends beyond the height of the parapet wall. (Note: Please see Figure 3 of Chapter 16.5 at the end of this section to assist the reader in understanding acceptable and unacceptable locations of building-mounted signs according to the terms of § 16.5.23D.)

Building-mounted signs which extend more than six inches from the surface of the structure must provide a minimum of eight feet of vertical clearance to a walkway, parking area, private drive and ground surface. Such signs must not extend beyond the street right-of-way boundary unless authorized by the Town Council.

Freestanding signs must not extend higher than 20 feet above the original ground level or the elevation of the center line of the nearest street measured at the closest point to the sign, whichever is greater.

Signs must not be posted on trees, utility poles, traffic control devices, or unregistered motor vehicles or trailers. Signs posted on fences are treated as a type of freestanding sign. Any unpermitted and unallowed sign located in a public road right-of-way may be caused to be removed by the Town without notice to the owner of such sign.

No sign may be located so that it interferes with the safe sight distances necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets, private roads or driveways.

All building-mounted signs must be located only on the building that contains the activities or businesses advertised, except that up to 10% of the allowed signage for building-mounted signs in § 16.5.23K may be allocated to signs mounted on fuel pumps and/or fuel pump canopies.

In cases where multiple freestanding signs are permitted, any additional allowed smaller freestanding sign must face and be located along a separate publicly maintained street.

Number of freestanding signs.

Except as otherwise authorized in this section, as well as §§ 16.5.23I and 16.5.23J, each development is prohibited from having more than one freestanding sign.

Multisided signs are considered as one sign; however, the square footage of each sign face is calculated to determine total sign area.

Where a development fronts on two publicly maintained streets and has designed and approved access onto both those publicly maintained streets, the development is allowed one additional freestanding sign that faces and is located along a second publicly maintained street in accordance with § 16.5.23G.

Where a development fronts on three publicly maintained streets and has designed and approved access onto each publicly maintained street, a third freestanding sign facing and located along the third publicly maintained street may be authorized at the Planning Board's discretion if it finds that other freestanding signage is not visible from the third street and that there is a need for a third freestanding sign to adequately communicate the business location to travelers on a third road fronted by the business.

Number of building-mounted signs. To prevent sign clutter, except for those signs authorized by § 16.5.23I or 16.5.23J, each business facility which is on a site where two or more businesses occupy the same building, lot or development is prohibited from having more than two building-mounted, nontemporary signs.

Sign area.

Residential zones. Zones designated Residential - Rural Conservation, Residential - Rural, Residential - Suburban, Residential - Urban, and Residential - Village on the Zoning Map are residential zones for the purpose of this section.

Accessory uses, including home occupations, are allowed sign area no greater than eight square feet.

Other permitted uses are allowed sign area no greater than 16 square feet, except as otherwise provided. Residential developments are also allowed 24 square feet, provided that signs are located within the development on premises owned by the developer or an owners' association.

All other zones.

A single business situated on a lot of record is allowed a total sign area no greater than 300 square feet or 1 1/2 square feet for every linear foot of building frontage, whichever is smaller. In any case, a single business on a lot of record is allowed a minimum sign area of 72 square feet.

Where two or more business facilities occupy the same building, lot or development allowable sign area is calculated as follows:

Total building-mounted sign area equals 1 1/2 square feet per linear foot of building frontage for each business facility. The total allowed building-mounted sign area may be allocated among individual business facilities at the property owner's discretion.

The development is allowed one freestanding sign not greater than 150 square feet in sign area. An additional freestanding sign no greater than 72 square feet in sign area facing and located along that secondary street is allowed if the development fronts on multiple streets and has designed and approved access onto each publicly maintained street. A third freestanding sign may be permitted at the Planning Board's discretion in accordance with § 16.5.23E.

Off-premises signs.

An individual business or service, upon application, may be assigned no more than three off-premises business directional signs (OBDS). An OBDS must be designed and located so as to avoid conflict with other signs and minimize impact on the scenic environment through the following standards:

Dimensions: 12 inches by 48 inches.

Coloring: state standard blue background, white lettering, logo may be any color.

Reflectorization: optional.

Location: on existing assemblies (posts) where possible. No more than two assemblies per intersection approach.

Restricted areas: An OBDS must not be placed on an inbound leg of the Kittery traffic circle within 400 feet of its outer perimeter, or adjacent to points of scenic or historical interest, including but not limited to federal, state and local parks and reserves, recognized historic sites and buildings, water bridges and cemeteries.

An off-premises sign which advertises commercial or other activity without advertising any specific enterprise (generic signs) may be approved by the Planning Board at size and location to be specified.

Temporary signs. All temporary signs must be installed on the premises of the activity to which the advertising message refers. Moveable signs are prohibited as temporary signs. The following types of temporary signs are allowed with an approved sign permit:

The use of one temporary sign, other than a trailer sign, at any one time per business, that is mounted to the building or attached to a freestanding sign structure for the purpose of advertising special events, provided that such signs are displayed for no longer than a combined total of 21 days in any calendar quarter (January 1 to March 30, etc.), may be permitted. Total sign area for a temporary sign must not exceed 72 square feet. The allowed twenty-one-day display period may be divided into no more than three separate, nonoverlapping temporary periods of not less than seven days.

One additional temporary sign, other than a trailer sign, mounted to the building or to a freestanding sign structure, is permitted per legally participating site for the duration of each Town-Council-approved sidewalk sales event.

Signs allowed without sign permit. The following types of signs, in sizes and under conditions stated, are allowed without a Town sign permit, but must conform with all other provisions of § 16.5.23 of this chapter except for the provisions restricting the number of signs (§§ 16.5.23E and 16.5.23F) and limiting the total sign area (§ 16.5.23G).

Public information signs. Signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, route markers, street signs, warning signs, utility, danger or warning signs, signs which indicate direction to hospitals, churches or other places of worship, or other public facilities.

General information signs. Signs which provide direction or instruction, such as location of telephone, restrooms, parking, automatic teller machines (ATMs), transit stops, entrances and exits, open and closed signs, where installed entirely upon the property to which they pertain. "Enter" and "exit" signs must not exceed four square feet in size. All other general information signs must not exceed two square feet in size. Except for identifying approved off-premises parking stalls, no logos, trademarks or names of businesses are permitted on general information signs. The Planning Board may approve increased sizes and/or the use of logos or names of businesses on general information signs when considered necessary to promote safety or eliminate confusion.

Memorial tablets. Grave markers, signs commemorating a historical figure or event, names or dates of buildings to which a sign is attached.

Public notices and community signs. Official notices posted by public employees in performance of their duties, and any sign for Town-sponsored or -supported events or facilities as approved by the Town Council.

Flags of any government or recognized political subdivision. The flag of any government or recognized political subdivision is allowed, provided it is displayed no higher than 50 feet above the original ground level or the elevation of the center line of the nearest street measured at the closest point to the flag, whichever is greater. A single memorial flagpole installation sponsored by private funding not to exceed 129 feet in height installed on Town-owned or -regulated property at Memorial Circle is allowed.

Religious symbols.

Building street numbers. In accordance with the street-numbering map on file with the Town Assessing Department;

Political campaign signs. Signs bearing political messages relating to an election, primary or referendum, provided these signs may be displayed on:

Public property not earlier than 30 days prior to the election, primary or referendum to which they relate and are removed not later than two days thereafter.

Private property without time constraints.

Interior signs. Signs placed inside a building which are located at least 10 feet inside the building or otherwise not oriented to be viewed from outside the building.

Vehicular signs. Signs painted on or affixed to registered motor vehicles or trailers where such signs are clearly incidental to the regular transportation function of the vehicle.

Service club signs. Service club signs may be placed within the right-of-way of a street with approval of the Commissioner of Public Works. Such signs are encouraged to be consolidated on a single designated assembly structure at major entranceways to the Town. In addition, such signs not exceeding four square feet in size may be erected at locations where meetings of such service clubs are convened.

Real estate signs. Any sign advertising real estate for sale, lease or rent, provided:

Each sign does not exceed 12 square feet;

Each sign is located on the property being advertised, except one sign may be located as an off-premises directional sign, provided the sign does not restrict safe sight distances or impair safety;

No more than two signs are erected per property being advertised; and

Each sign is removed within 60 days of transfer of title.

Window signs. Any sign that is placed inside a window and is visible from the exterior of the window, provided such signage covers no more than 50% of the area of any window.

Legally required signs. Any sign required by local, state or federal law with sign area no greater than two square feet or the minimum size required by law, whichever is larger.

Food menu signs. Up to two signs advertising food items for sale on the premises at a legally existing restaurant, fast-food outlet, drive-in restaurant, or snack bar are allowed, provided that:

The total sign area of each such food menu sign on the site must not exceed 32 square feet; and

Such food menu signs must either be building-mounted or comply with the front yard requirements for structures and be located within 75 feet of the restaurant.

Undercanopy, pedestrian-oriented signs. One building-mounted business identification sign per business facility, not to exceed 10 square feet in size per sign, where two or more businesses occupy the same building with a pedestrian walkway and canopy that parallels and connects the front entrances of the business facilities. The sign must be oriented toward pedestrians using the walkway, be located under the canopy near the main entrance to the business advertised and solely identify the business name or logo.

Construction phase and contractor signs. Signs, other than trailer signs, identifying the name of a contractor working on the premises or describing a construction project, erected only during the construction phase of a development, provided each sign does not exceed 75 square feet.

Garage sale signs as allowed by § 5.4.9A(2).

Signs in the Conservation Zone and Shoreland, Resource Protection, and Stream Protection Overlay Zones. The following provisions govern signs in the Conservation Zone , Shoreland Resource Protection and Stream Protection Overlay Zones, except where overlaid by the Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Uses Overlay Zone:

Signs relating to goods and services sold on the premises are allowed, provided such signs do not exceed six square feet in area and do not exceed two signs per premises.

Signs relating to goods or services not sold or rendered on the premises are prohibited.

Name signs are allowed, provided such signs do not exceed two signs per premises and do not exceed 12 square feet in the aggregate.

Residential users may display a temporary single sign not over three square feet in area relating to the sale, rental or lease of the premises.

Signs relating to trespassing and hunting are allowed without restriction as to number, provided no such sign exceeds two square feet in area.

Signs relating to public safety are allowed without restriction.

Signs higher than 20 feet above the ground are prohibited.

Signs may be illuminated only by shielded, nonflashing lights.

Sign permit application procedures.

No person may erect, post, enlarge, relocate, replace or modify a sign except in conformance with a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer and also approved by the Town Planner. Notwithstanding the above statement, the following signs may be erected or modified without a sign permit:

Signs authorized in § 16.5.23J.

Changes to nameplates or shingles to reflect occupancy changes on an existing approved freestanding sign identifying individual occupants on the site, provided no change is made to the shape or size of the sign or sign area.

Characters, letters and numbers may be changed on approved changeable message signs without a sign permit provided no other change is made to the sign.

Signs may be maintained, cleaned or repainted, provided no change is made to the shape or size of the sign or to the sign area, and provided no new business name is advertised.

A complete sign application submission consists of the following items submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer:

A completed sign permit application form provided by the Town;

An application fee in accordance with a fee schedule established by the Town Council; and

A self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Complete applications must be reviewed by the CEO for compliance with this title. Complete sign permit application submissions must be returned by the CEO after rendering a decision to the applicant if accompanied by an SASE. Incomplete sign permit application submissions will only be returned to the applicant if accompanied by an SASE.

Unless the proposed sign is located within the Shoreland Zone, the CEO must issue, deny or seek a formal Planning Board opinion within 14 working days of receiving a complete sign permit application submission. If either a Planning Board opinion is sought or the proposed sign is located within the Shoreland Zone, the CEO must issue or deny the application within 35 calendar days of receiving a complete sign permit application submission.

The sign permit must be approved if the proposed sign conforms in every respect with the requirements of this article. In the CEO's absence, or if no action is taken by the CEO within the above time limits, the Town Manager or the Town Manager's designee may approve or deny the sign permit application submission.

All new signs approved as of October 1, 1997, must display a numbered sign permit sticker provided by the Town in a visible location at the lower right-hand corner of the sign face. Failure to display such sign permit sticker on signs erected as of October 1, 1997, will be considered a violation of this section. Replacement stickers are available from the CEO based on a fee schedule established by the Town Council.

Sign violations and appeal.

The CEO must notify and order the owner to immediately correct any sign that endangers public safety. Signs that endanger public safety include, but are not limited to, those which are dangerous by reason of structural defect or those that interfere or obstruct a driver's safe operation of a motor vehicle.

A nonconforming sign which is required to conform to the sign regulations per § 16.5.23B must be brought into conformity.

Enforcement of the provisions of this article is in accordance with Chapter 16.2.

Figure 3

Examples of Allowed and Prohibited Sign Placement

These drawings are illustrative and meant to be an aid to the reader; refer to § 16.5.21, for full details.

§ 16.5.24 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 16.5.54, Dwellings in Resource Protection and Shoreland Overlay Zones, was repealed 12-9-2024.

§ 16.5.25 Sprinkler systems.

Requirement.

An approved automatic sprinkler system must be installed in all areas of new buildings meeting any or all of the following criteria:

Three or more stories in height; or

Thirty-six or more feet in height; or

One hundred thousand cubic feet in volume or 10,000 square feet in floor area; or

Multiple-family or multiple-occupant dwelling and/or all lodging units; or

Any single-family attached units, such as garden apartments or townhouse with three or more units attached together; or

All motels, hotels, rooming houses, inns or other structures containing more than two dwelling or living units, hotel or motel rooms.

An approved automatic sprinkler system must be installed in new additions to existing buildings and to the existing building(s) meeting any or all of the following criteria:

When the addition causes the building to become three or more stories in height; or

When the addition causes the building to become 36 or more feet in height; or

When the addition causes the building to become 100,000 cubic feet in volume or 10,000 square feet in area;

When the addition to or renovation of the existing building results in the end use becoming a motel, hotel, rooming house, inn or other structure which contains more than two dwelling or living units, hotel or motel rooms; or

When the addition to or renovation of the existing building results in the end use becoming single-family attached units, such as garden apartments or townhouses with three or more units attached together.

Sprinkler system standards.

An approved automatic sprinkler system means a system installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 13 or NFPA 13D, or a system otherwise lawfully approved in writing by the State Fire Marshal's office; provided, however, any such system remains subject to the Fire Chief's approval under Subsection B(3) of this section.

Any structure requiring the installation of a NFPA Standard 13 system must have a Fire Department connection with location approved by the Fire Chief.

The type of system to be installed and its adequacy of life safety from fire in accordance with the provisions of this title must be reviewed and approved by the Fire Chief or duly authorized designee, provided adequate provision is made for life and property safety.

All sprinkler systems installed under this title must have the following:

A tamper-switch alarm at the system shutoff.

An evacuation alarm for the building that will sound when the sprinkler system is activated; such evacuation alarm is to be audible throughout the entire structure.

An outside water-flow alarm.

Butterfly valves will not be allowed on any Standard 13 system.

Local fire alarm panel.

Occupied or unoccupied buildings or portions thereof or any under construction having a sprinkler system in place must maintain all sprinklers and standpipe systems and all component parts in a workable condition at all times, and it is unlawful for any owner, occupant or other person whatever to reduce the effectiveness of the protection these systems provide, except that this does not prohibit the owner or occupant from temporarily reducing or discontinuing the protection where necessary for the purposes of conducting tests, repairs, alterations or additions, provided that the test, repairs, alterations or additions are done in such a way as to avoid the creation of a safety hazard.

For the purposes of this section, the term "building" means any structure excluding single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and any barn or stable used exclusively for agricultural purposes, having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, storage, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or property. The term "building" also includes any garage, outbuilding or other accessory building used for any commercial or industrial purposes.

Any building having more than one sprinkler riser must have the risers separately zoned and wired to a local fire alarm panel to provide zone identification upon activation. The fire alarm panel is to be located as near as possible to the main exit door. There must also be a building map located at the fire alarm panel showing each zone of the building.

A lock box must be provided outside the main entrance to any buildings regulated hereunder, containing a key to allow access to all Fire Department areas. So as to be compatible with existing lock box systems, the type of lock box must be approved by the Fire Chief.

Any structure containing a sprinkler system is required to have a yearly test completed on the system by a qualified sprinkler technician. A written copy of the yearly test report must be forwarded to the Fire Chief.

Permit.

A permit must be obtained from the Fire Chief before the start of construction of the system and a set of blueprints showing the entire sprinkler system and the rate of flow provided to and approved by the Fire Chief in order to obtain the permit.

A copy of the permit must be forwarded to the CEO, and no certificate of occupancy may be issued until the system has been properly installed, tested by a qualified technician and approved by the Fire Chief or duly authorized designee.

Fees and fines.

A sprinkler system permit fee is to be paid with the permit request in such amount as established by Council. The fee for a sprinkler permit is as set out in Appendix A.

Any person, firm or corporation being the owner or having control or use of any building or premises who violates this section of this title will be assessed a penalty under Title 1, Chapter 1.3. Each day such violation is permitted to exist after notification constitutes a separate offense.

Sprinkler administrative appeal. If any party is aggrieved by a determination of the Fire Chief under the requirements of this section, a written appeal may be filed with the BOA within 10 days from the date of notification of such determination by the Fire Chief. Such written appeal must set forth a concise statement of the grounds upon which the party contends the Fire Chief's determination to be in error.

§ 16.5.26 Street signage.

Names. Streets which join or are in alignment with streets of abutting or neighboring properties must bear the same name. Names of new streets may not duplicate, nor bear phonetic resemblance to, the names of existing streets within the municipality and are subject to the approval of the Planning Board.

Signs provided. Street name signs are to be furnished and installed by the developer; the type, size and location to be approved by the Commissioner of Public Works.

§ 16.5.27 Streets, driveways and associated stormwater management/drainage systems design.

[Amended 10-24-2022; 12-9-2024]

Purpose. The design of streets must provide for proper continuation of streets from adjacent development and for proper projection into adjacent undeveloped and open land. These design standards must be met by all streets within Kittery and control street shoulders, curbs, pedestrianways/sidewalks, drainage systems, culverts and other appurtenances.

Layout.

Streets are to be designed to discourage through traffic on minor streets within a residential subdivision.

Reserve strips controlling access to streets are prohibited except where control is definitely placed with the municipality.

Any development expected to generate average daily traffic of 201 or more trips per day is to have at least two street connections with existing public street(s).

Where a development borders an existing narrow street (below standards set herein) or when the Comprehensive Plan indicates plans for realignment or widening of a street that would require use of some of the land in a development the plans must indicate reserved areas for widening or realigning such streets, marked on the plan "reserved for street widening/realignment purposes." Land reserved for such purposes may not be included in computing lot area or setback requirements of this title.

Where a development abuts or contains an existing or proposed arterial street, the Board may require marginal access streets (i.e., street parallel to arterial street providing access to adjacent lots), reverse frontage (i.e., frontage on a street other than the existing or proposed arterial street) with screen planting contained in a nonaccess reservation along the rear property line, or such other treatments as may be necessary for adequate protection of residential properties and to afford separation of through and local traffic.

Entrances onto existing or proposed arterial highways/secondary arterials may not exceed a frequency of one per 1,000 feet of street frontage.

Street classification. Streets are classified by purpose, function and use frequency.

Arterial highways are major traffic ways that provide connections with other thoroughfare or interstate roads and have a high potential for the location of significant community activity centers as well as retail, commercial and industrial facilities. The average daily traffic count (ADT) would be 9,001 or more trip ends.

Secondary arterials carry relatively high volumes of traffic to or from arterial highways, adjacent communities and through local residential areas, activity centers and minor commercial establishments. The ADT would be 3,001 to 9,000 trip ends.

Commercial, light industrial and mixed-use zone developments are located in areas where street design is oriented to accommodate community-wide and regional interests with limited residential uses. The intended uses, ADT, peak-hour traffic, and any other additional information that may be required by the Board will determine their classification, which may not be lower than a secondary collector.

Primary collectors may be residential or business, or both, and serve both as collectors to lesser residential streets and as connections to or between arterials. The ADT would be from 801 to 3,000 trip ends, and in the interests of traffic and public safety must be owned and maintained by the Town.

Secondary collectors may be residential or business, or both, and connect to or between streets of a higher classification, and/or may collect traffic from minor streets or private ways. The ADT would be 201 to 800 trip ends.

Minor streets are predominantly single-family residential short or dead-end streets, which may have branching minor streets, private lanes or private ways and conduct traffic to streets of higher classification. This is the lowest level of public street in the hierarchy and must serve at least four dwelling units. The ADT would be 35 to 200 trip ends.

Private streets function exclusively as residential streets serving high-density housing developments, including conservation subdivisions, multifamily dwellings, elderly housing, and mobile home parks, and may not be dedicated for public acceptance. Maintenance and improvements must be controlled by proprietorship, corporation, association or deed covenants. The ADT would be 72 to 800 trip ends. Design and construction is to be in accordance with the applicable standards and specifications for minor streets or secondary collectors.

Private lanes are short low-traffic volume residential dead-end streets which may serve part of a high-density development or other residential uses conforming to the applicable standard residential space requirements enumerated in this title. Private ways may not be dedicated for public acceptance, and improvements must be controlled by proprietorship, corporation, association or deed covenants. The ADT would be 35 to 71 trip ends.

Private ways are dead-end, very-low-volume residential streets that connect to streets of a higher classification and function similar to an individual driveway by providing a low standard two-way traffic flow. Private ways may not be used in high-density residential developments or subdivisions of four or more lots. Private ways cannot be dedicated for public acceptance, and all maintenance and improvements must be controlled by proprietorship, corporation, association or deed covenants. The ADT would be 12 to 35 trip ends.

Average daily traffic (ADT) is computed using the latest Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE) codes and figures.

Street design standards. Design standards for classified streets and sidewalks are those contained in attachment Table 1, Design and Construction Standards for Streets and Pedestrianways, which is attached to this chapter.

Access control and traffic impacts. Provision must be made for vehicular access to a development and circulation upon the lot in such a manner as to safeguard against hazards to traffic and pedestrians in the street and within the development, to avoid traffic congestion on any street and to provide safe and convenient circulation on public streets and within the development. Access and circulation must also conform to the standards and criteria listed below.

Vehicular access to the development must be arranged to avoid traffic use of local residential streets.

Where a lot has frontage on two or more streets, the access to the lot must be provided to the lot across the frontage and to the street where there is lesser potential for traffic congestion and for hazards to traffic and pedestrians.

The street giving access to the lot and neighboring streets which can be expected to carry traffic to and from the development must have traffic-carrying capacity and be suitably improved to accommodate the amount and types of traffic generated by the proposed use. No development may increase the volume/capacity ratio of any street above 0.8 nor reduce any intersection or link level of service to "D" or below.

Where necessary to safeguard against hazards to traffic and pedestrians and/or to avoid traffic congestion, provision must be made for turning lanes, traffic directional islands, frontage roads, driveways and traffic controls within public streets.

Accessways must be of a design and have sufficient capacity to avoid hazardous queuing of entering vehicles on any street.

Where topographic and other conditions allow, provision must be made for circulation driveway connections to adjoining lots of similar existing or potential use:

When such driveway connection will facilitate fire protection services as approved by the Fire Chief; or

When such driveway will enable the public to travel between two existing or potential uses, generally open to the public, without need to travel upon a street.

Center line. The center line of a roadway must be the center line of the right-of-way.

Dead-end streets.

Where a permanent cul-de-sac is placed in an area, wooded prior to development, a stand of trees must be maintained within the center of the cul-de-sac.

The Board may require the reservation of a twenty-foot easement in line with the street to provide continuation of pedestrian traffic or utilities to the next street.

The Board may also require the reservation of a fifty-foot easement in line with the street to provide for continuation of the road where future development is possible.

Grades, intersections and sight distances.

Grades of all streets are to conform, where feasible, to the terrain, so that cut and fill are minimized while maintaining the grade standards of this title.

All changes in grade are to be corrected by vertical curves in order to provide the following minimum stopping distance where based on street design speed calculated with a height of eye at 3.5 feet and the height of object at 0.5 feet:

Design speed (mph)	20	25	30	35
Stopping sight distance (feet)	125	150	200	250

Intersections of streets are to be at angles as close to 90° as possible, and in no case may two streets intersect at an angle smaller than 60°. To this end, where one street approaches another between 60° and 90°, the former street should be curved approaching the intersection.

Where new street intersections or curb cuts are proposed, sight distances, as measured along the street onto which traffic would be turning, is based on the posted speed limit and must conform to the table following:

Posted speed limit (mph)	25	30	35	40	45	50	55
Sight distance (feet)	250	300	350	400	450	500	550

Sight distance is the length of roadway visible to a driver exiting an intersection or curb cut. Such sight distance is measured from a point that is located at the center line of the exit lane and 15 feet back from the edge of the travel way to the center line of the oncoming lane(s), with the height of eye at 3.5 feet and the height of an object 4.25 feet above the pavement.

When the actual traveling speed of normal traffic on a road is substantially higher than the posted speed limit, the sight distance is computed by multiplying the 85th percentile of such speed as measured by a qualified traffic engineer by a factor of 10. The result, in feet, is the minimum sight distance required.

Where necessary, corner lots must be cleared of all growth or other sight obstructions, including ground excavations, to achieve the required visibility.

Cross (four-cornered) intersections are to be avoided insofar as possible.

Side slopes. Side slopes of all streets must be graded, covered with appropriate compost or loamed, fertilized and seeded in accordance with the specifications of the erosion and sedimentation plan.

Right-of-way (ROW) grading. Streets are to be rough-graded full width.

Street construction standards.

The subgrade of the roadway. On soils which have been identified by the Commissioner of Public Works as not suitable for roadways, the subsoil must be removed from such locations to a depth of two feet below subgrade and replaced with material meeting the specifications for gravel aggregate subbase or a substitute acceptable to the Commissioner of Public Works.

The aggregate subbase course must be sand or gravel of hard, durable particles, free from vegetative matter, lumps or balls of clay and other deleterious substances. The gradation of the part that passes a three-inch-square mesh sieve must meet the following grading requirements and contain no particles of rock exceeding four inches in diameter [MDOT Specification 703.06(b) Type D]:

Sieve Designation Percent by Weight Passing Square Mesh Sieve
1/4 inch	25% to 70%
No. 40	0% to 30%
No. 200	0% to 7%

The aggregate base course must be sand or gravel of hard, durable particles, free from vegetative matter, lumps or balls of clay and other deleterious substances. The gradation of the part that passes a three-inch square mesh sieve must meet the following requirements [MDOT Specification 703.06(a) Type A]:

Sieve Designation Percent by Weight Passing Square Mesh Sieve
1/2 inch	45% to 70%
1/4 inch	30% to 55%
No. 40	0% to 20%
No. 200	0% to 5%

Street plantings. When appropriate, the Board may require a street design that incorporates a green space/planting area within the street's ROW. Said plantings must be installed at the developer's expense according to a plan drawn up by a landscape architect.

Sidewalks.

Where required, sidewalks must be installed to meet minimum requirements as specified in Table 1 of this chapter.

The position of any sidewalk within the street ROW in relation to the pavement surface is to be determined by the Planning Board.

The following standards apply to the construction of roads and/or driveways and stormwater management/drainage systems, culverts and other related features in the Shoreland, Stream Protection and Resource Protection Overlay Zones:

Roads, driveways and associated stormwater management/drainage systems, culverts and other such features must be set back:

At least 100 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal high-water line of any water bodies, the upland edge of a coastal wetland, or the upland edge of a freshwater wetland; and

75 feet from the normal high-water line of a tributary stream; and

In the Mixed-Use Badgers Island Zone (MU-BI), 75 feet from the normal high-water line of any water bodies or the upland edge of a coastal wetland.

If no other reasonable alternative exists, the Planning Board may reduce the road and/or driveway setback requirement to no less than 50 feet, horizontal distance, upon a clear demonstration by the applicant that appropriate techniques will be used to prevent sedimentation of the water body, tributary stream or freshwater or coastal wetland. Said erosion and sediment control measures for roads and driveways must meet the Department of Environmental Protection's "Maine Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices," March 2016.

This subsection does not apply to approaches to water crossings or to roads or driveways that provide access to permitted structures and facilities located nearer to the shoreline, stream or tributary stream due to an operational necessity. Roads and driveways providing access to permitted structures within the setback area(s) must fully comply with the requirements of this subsection except for that portion of the road or driveway necessary for direct access to the structure.

On slopes of greater than 20%, the road and/or driveway setback must be increased by 10 feet, horizontal distance, for each 5% increase in slope above 20%.

Existing public roads may be expanded within the legal road right-of- way, regardless of their setback from a water body.

New roads and driveways are prohibited in a Resource Protection Overlay Zone, except approval may be granted by the Planning Board to construct a road or driveway to provide access to permitted uses within the zone. A road or driveway in a Resource Protection Overlay Zone may also be approved by the Planning Board upon a finding that no reasonable alternative route or location is available outside the zone. When a road or driveway is permitted in a Resource Protection Overlay Zone, the road and/or driveway must be set back as far as practicable from the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland edge of a coastal or freshwater wetland.

The maximum slope for road and driveway banks is two horizontal units of measure to one vertical unit of measure. Bank slopes must be graded and stabilized in accordance with the provisions for erosion and sedimentation control contained in this section.

The maximum slope for road and driveway grades is 10%, except for segments of less than 200 feet.

To prevent road and driveway surface drainage from directly entering water bodies, tributary streams, streams or wetlands, roads and driveways must be designed, constructed and maintained to empty onto an unscarified buffer strip at least 50 feet plus two times the average slope [50 feet + (2 x S average)], in width between the outflow point of the ditch or culvert and the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland edge of a wetland, either coastal or freshwater. Surface drainage that is directed to an unscarified buffer strip must be diffused or spread out to promote infiltration of the runoff and to minimize channelized flow of the drainage through the buffer strip.

Ditch relief (cross drainage) culverts, drainage dips and points of stormwater discharge must be designed and constructed so that drainage is diverted onto unscarified buffer strips before the flow gains sufficient volume or head. The following criteria should be implemented where possible to deter and prevent excessive erosion:

Ditch relief culverts, drainage dips and associated water turnouts must be spaced along the road or driveway at intervals no greater than indicated in the following table:

Grade (percent)	Spacing (feet) (maximum)
0% to 2%	250
3% to 5%	135 to 200
6% to 10%	80 to 100
11% to 14% (maximum)	60 to 80

Drainage dips may be used in place of ditch relief culverts only where the grade is 10% or less.

On sections having slopes greater than 10%, ditch relief culverts must be placed at approximately a 30° angle downslope from a line perpendicular to the center line of the road or driveway.

Ditch relief culverts must be sufficiently sized and properly installed to allow for effective functioning, and their inlet and outlet ends appropriately stabilized with acceptable materials and construction techniques.

Ditches, culverts, bridges, dips, water turnouts and other stormwater runoff control installations associated with roads and driveways must be maintained by the owner(s) on a regular basis to assure effective functioning.

In a Shoreland, Stream Protection or Resource Protection Overlay Zone, when replacing an existing culvert, the watercourse must be protected so the crossing does not block fish passage, and adequate erosion control measures must be taken to prevent sedimentation of the water in the watercourse.

A permit is not required for the replacement of an existing road culvert, provided the replacement culvert is:

Not more than one standard culvert size larger in diameter than the culvert being replaced;

Not more than 25% longer than the culvert being replaced; and

Not longer than 75 feet.

§ 16.5.28 Temporary housing.

Purpose. The intent of this section is to provide temporary housing for resident owners (exclusive of corporations, trusts and estates) and their immediate families who have lost primary dwellings through fire or natural disaster.

Dwellings uninhabitable by disaster. In case a fire or natural disaster destroys, or damages, or renders a dwelling or dwelling unit uninhabitable, the following apply:

The dwelling owner may apply to the CEO for a permit to place a mobile home on the lot as a temporary residence for the dwelling owner for a period of six months;

The applicant must file such an application within six months from the date of the disaster and agree, in writing, that a time limit of six months is acceptable. Proof of financial ability to reconstruct the building must be furnished;

If at the end of six months substantial work has been completed to the satisfaction of the CEO, the permit may be extended for an additional six months. No further extensions may be granted;

A multifamily dwelling may be temporarily replaced by a single mobile home unit for the use of the dwelling owner only; and

Setback requirements may be waived for temporary mobile homes by the CEO, provided matters of public health and safety are not impaired.

§ 16.5.29 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 16.5.29, Timber harvesting, was repealed 12-9-2024.

§ 16.5.30 Wetland setbacks for special situations.

[Amended 4-11-2022; 10-24-2022; 12-9-2024]

Wetland setbacks extending beyond publicly accepted streets. The required setback distances do not extend beyond the center line of publicly accepted street that generally parallels the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream or the upland edge of a wetland.

Constructed wetlands and water bodies.

Setbacks are required from all wetlands or water bodies created from upland land area as part of a required mitigation plan.

A performance guarantee, such as an escrow or bond, is required to guarantee that new vegetation required by the mitigation plan will survive. Prior to the release or drawdown of funds in such accounts, a written statement from a qualified wetlands scientist that says the vegetation is thriving must be submitted to the Town Planner.

In addition, any constructed wetland or water body, not part of a required mitigation plan or a stormwater management system permitted by the Town, and regardless of the circumstances under which it was created, either intentionally or not, that demonstrates the characteristics of a functioning wetland or water body, such as but not limited to hydric soils, open water, wetland functions and vegetation, will be considered wetlands or water bodies as defined in Title 16 for regulatory purposes.

Wetland setbacks for the base zoning district and the Shoreland Overlay District will apply to wetlands and water bodies described in Subsection B(1) and (3) above.

Setbacks from altered wetlands or water bodies.

The illegal altering of a water body or wetland area, where the surface area of the water body is decreased (lowered), after May 13, 1987, may not be used to change the location from which a setback is measured. The illegal filling of a water body or wetland area, where the normal water surface area of the water body is increased (raised), after May 13, 1987, must be measured from the most recent edge of the normal water surface elevation.

Alterations to the wetland boundaries that have been approved by the Planning Board and are in compliance with regulations of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection may be constructed per the Planning Board's approved wetlands alteration plan.

Setbacks for utility poles. Setbacks for utility poles must be shown and identified on the development plans. Distances from utility pole structures and the upland edge of wetlands of any type may not have to be set back from the wetland. Such setback distances require Planning Board approval.

Utilities within wetland. Where it is demonstrated that there is no alternative to avoid utilities within a wetland, the applicant's engineer must provide trench details for depth, distance between pipes, if applicable, fill materials, minimum compaction and/or encasement.

Rotted material, muck and unsuitable soils must be removed from the trench and replaced with select materials that provide the required compaction, pipe support and protection.

Trenches for shallow-depth pipes (having less than four feet of cover) must be designed to avoid pipe movement that may result in breakage.

Table 16.5.30 Minimum Setbacks from Wetlands and Water Bodies:
A. Located in a Shoreland or Resource Protection Overlay Zone that do not meet the criteria for a Shoreland-Zoned wetland as defined B. Not within a Shoreland, Resource Protection or Stream Protection Overlay Zone*
	Total Size of Wetland and/or Water Body
Structure/Activity	Less Than 501 Square Feet (feet)	501 Square Feet to 1 Acre and Intermittent Streams (feet)	Greater Than 1 Acre and Wetlands of Special Significance (feet)
Local distribution utility pole, fence, flagpole, signs or drainage structure	0	0	0
Functionally water-dependent uses	0	0	0
Solar energy systems	0	50	100
Drainage structure or stormwater management system outside of the OZ-SL-250, OZ-SL-75, OZ-RP	10	10	10
Drainage structure or stormwater management system outside of the OZ-SL-250, OZ-SL-75, OZ-RP as measured from a Wetland of Special Significance	75	75	100
Roads and Driveways
Traveled way of road or driveway of 18 feet or less in width¹	0	10 from toe of slope	10 from toe of slope
Traveled way of road or driveway greater than 18 feet in width¹	0	30 or 10 from toe of slope, whichever is greater	30 or 10 from toe of slope, whichever is greater
Parking Areas
Parking areas for one- and two-family residential uses	0	10	20
1- to 5-stall parking area	0	30	50
6- to 20-stall parking area incorporating BMPs for stormwater management²	0	40	75
6- to 20-stall parking area without incorporating BMPs for stormwater management²	0	75	100
21-or-more-stall parking area³ incorporating BMPs for stormwater management	0	50	75
Patios, Decks, Accessory Buildings
Patio or deck area no larger than 500 square feet in size	0	30	50
Detached residential storage shed no larger than 120 square feet in size	0	30	50
Other Buildings and Structures
Building or structure (including patio or deck area larger than 500 square feet in size)	0	50	100
Subsurface Sewage Disposal
Treatment tanks and disposal areas for new subsurface sewage disposal systems with design flows of less than 2,000 GPD	0	50	100
Treatment tanks and disposal areas for new subsurface sewage disposal systems with design flows of 2,000	0	100	100
GPD or more
Recreational Uses and Structures
Low-intensity recreation	0	0	0
Recreational facility or structure excluding a golf course	0	50	100
Topsoil Removal
Removal of more than 10 cubic yards of topsoil except for approved projects	0	50	100
Topsoil removal with a soil conservation service-endorsed erosion and sedimentation plan	0	25	25
Special Uses
Junkyard¹	0	100	150
Bulk salt storage not in an enclosed structure¹	0	100	150
Gravel and mineral extraction or processing¹	0	100	150
Storage of hazardous chemicals or special wastes other than amounts normally associated with individual households/farms¹	0	100	150
Commercial painting, wood preserving or furniture stripping¹	0	100	150
Laundromats, auto wash, printing, dry-cleaning, photographic processing, if not connected to a sanitary sewer⁴	0	100	150
Metal plating, finishing, polishing¹	0	100	150

NOTES:
*	All vernal pools, including those having an area less than 501 square feet, are regulated by MDEP 06-096 Chapter 335.9.
1	The street setback does not serve to negate a wetland crossing project for which a wetlands permit has been approved by the Planning Board.
2	Written endorsement by the York County Soil and Water Conservation District (YCSWCD) or the Town's Peer Review Consultant that best management practices (BMPs) for protecting water quality by minimizing pollutants leaving the site in the stormwater runoff are incorporated to the maximum extent practicable is required to satisfy this condition. The Planning Board may waive the requirement for written endorsement by the SWCD or the Town's Peer Review Consultant when it finds a drainage plan has adequately protected the wetland from adverse impacts.
3	Parking areas with 21 or more stalls must incorporate BMPs.
4	Wetland setback may be reduced to 100 feet if the YCSWCD or the Town's Peer Review Consultant finds the stormwater management plan incorporates BMPs for protecting water quality by minimizing pollutants leaving the site in the stormwater.

§ 16.5.31 Wireless communication services facilities.

Purpose. This section is designed and intended to balance the interests of the residents of the Town, telecommunications providers, and telecommunications customers in the siting of wireless communication services facilities (WCSF) within the Town. These standards are also intended:

To avoid or minimize the adverse impacts of such facilities on visual, environmental, historically significant areas, health and safety, and property value;

To require the use of alternative structures for the purposes of co-location of carriers and minimize the total number of towers located within the Town;

To permit the construction of new towers only where all other opportunities have been exhausted;

To require the users of WCSF and antenna structures to configure them in a way that minimizes the need for additional WCSF in the Town;

To provide for the removal of WCSF and associated development which are no longer being used for telecommunications purposes;

These regulations are not intended to place any restrictions on privately operated and licensed amateur radio operators as per FCC regulations.

Location, height and setback requirements.

New WCSF are permitted within 1,000 feet from the I-95 corridor center line north of Dennett Road with Planning Board approval conforming to the performance standards and dimensional requirements. Shared use of preexisting accessory use towers and alternative tower structures in all zones is permitted with Town Planner's approval, provided the tower or structure height is not increased. Location on existing structures in a manner that camouflages or conceals the presence of antennas or towers, also referred by the industry as "stealth," is permitted with Town Planner's approval in all districts except the Resource Conservation, Shoreland and Resource Protection Overlay Zones. The Town Planner may request Planning Board review of any proposed siting of a WCSF facility.

Height. Towers, antennas and all WCSF may not exceed a height of 150 feet, except for those towers expressly satisfying all co-location requirements for four or more carriers, which may be constructed to a maximum height of 199 feet.

Setbacks.

All telecommunications towers must be set back from the lot lines a distance equal to at least 125% of the tower height.

Tower, guyed wires and accessory facilities must meet the minimum zoning district setback requirements.

Aesthetics, landscaping, buffers and fencing.

Towers and antennas are to have a neutral finish or be painted a neutral color as approved so as to reduce visual impact.

All WCSF must maintain the required setbacks as undisturbed vegetated buffers, except for the access road. Access roads are to be constructed in a nonlinear manner so as not to provide a direct view corridor to the support structures. The Planning Board/Town Planner may require additional plantings in the buffer area to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the buffer area to serve as a visual screen. The size and quantity of plantings is subject to Planning Board/Town Planner approval.

At a WCSF, the design of the buildings and related structures must, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures, screenings and landscaping that will blend the facilities to be compatible with the natural setting and built environment. The building and related structures must be planned in a manner to accept equipment of co-locators. Underground utilities must be used to serve the WCSF.

Towers may not be artificially lighted.

Road access to the telecommunications structure is to be the minimum size necessary to allow safe access.

The base of a telecommunications tower may not be located in wetland, floodplain, Resource Conservation, Shoreland and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.

A security fence to be approved by the Planning Board/Town Planner of not fewer than eight feet in height from the finished grade is to be provided around the tower and painted a neutral color as approved to minimize visual impacts. Access to the tower is to be through a gate that can be secured.

Investigation of existing alternative towers, sites and structures. Applicants must identify all existing and proposed towers, including their heights, located in the Town and within two miles beyond Town boundaries. Applicants must provide evidence of the lack of antenna space on all such towers and identify alternative tower structures and sites which have been investigated as an alternative to constructing a new tower. Applicant must address the pros and cons of utilizing co-location and other alternative tower structures with respect to their application and demonstrate that they cannot provide adequate communication service utilizing such existing towers or structures.

Co-location.

The applicant and owner must allow other future wireless service carriers, including providing space at no charge to public agencies (including but not limited to police, fire, ambulance, communications and highway if requested at the time of review by the Planning Board), using functionally equivalent personal wireless technology to co-locate antennas, equipment and facilities on a telecommunications tower and site, unless satisfactory evidence is presented and the Planning Board/Town Planner concurs that technical constraints prohibit co-location. Applicant and other wireless service carriers must provide a mechanism for the construction and maintenance of shared facilities and infrastructure and for reasonable sharing of cost in accordance with industry standards.

A reasonable charge for shared use is based on generally accepted accounting principles. This charge may include, but not be limited to, a pro rata share of the cost of site selection, planning, project administration, land costs, site design, construction and maintenance, financing, return of equity, depreciation and all of the costs of adapting the tower or equipment to accommodate a shared user without causing electromagnetic interference, all being pertinent to the southern Maine market area.

To ensure co-location, the Planning Board/Town Planner may require co-location on a tower so as to prevent the need for new carriers to build new towers, may deny an application for a telecommunications facility because of inadequate provisions and/or arrangements for co-location, and may require an existing tower to be extended in height (provided that a structural analysis indicates that such extension is structurally feasible and safe) in order to provide for co-location.

Performance guarantees. No building permit may be issued until the applicant has filed a performance guarantee and approved by the Town Manager equal to 125% of the cost of completing the following improvements:

The construction of any drainage systems involving piping, culverts, or retention or detention facilities;

The construction of erosion and sedimentation control measures or landscaping required to meet the standards of this article; and

Other site improvements required by the Board/Town Planner to meet the standards of this section.

Removal of abandoned or unused facilities.

The owner of a telecommunications facility is required to remove the tower and associated facilities should it not be used for the use or uses approved for a period of 90 consecutive days. This period may be extended by the Planning Board/Town Planner if there are extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. An applicant for a permit under this section must post a performance guarantee approved by the Town Manager with the Town prior to obtaining a permit that is equal to 125% of the cost of removing the structure. The performance guarantee must be in effect for the life of the WCSF;

The performance guarantee covering such removal must be reviewed for renewal at a maximum term of five years, to account for cost adjustments. It must contain a mechanism, satisfactory to the Town, for review of the cost of removal of the structure every five years and a mechanism for increasing the amount of the guarantee should the revised cost estimate so necessitate.

Annual permit renewal. To ensure compliance with the prescribed ordinances, all approvals will be subject to an annual permit renewal conducted by the Town Planner. The Town Planner at a minimum is to review the continued use of the facility; maintenance of the facility and site improvements; availability for co-location of new service; and review of bonding documents. The documents and permit renewal fee must be submitted to the Town Planner no later than October 1 of each year following the original approval.

§ 16.5.32 Marijuana business.

General.

This section regulates marijuana businesses as defined uses within the Town of Kittery. The permitting standards outlined here must be adhered to for all marijuana businesses, in addition to other applicable standards in this and other ordinances or state law.

Standards. Marijuana businesses must meet the following standards:

Marijuana businesses may not locate within 1,000 feet of a public or private school or a public recreation facility measured from the exterior wall of the marijuana business in a straight line to the property line of the protected use. This section does not prohibit the activity of a caregiver or other authorized individual from administering medical marijuana to a qualified patient who is located within one of these protected areas.

Marijuana businesses may not have any odor of marijuana detectable beyond the area controlled by the business, whether that be a leased or owned area that is a portion or all of a recorded parcel of land. Odors must be controlled by whatever best practices exist.

Marijuana grown by any marijuana business may be grown indoors only. For the purpose of this section, hoop houses or outdoor tunnels must not be considered as an indoor growing facility and are prohibited for marijuana cultivation by a marijuana business.

The design of any building containing a marijuana business must conform to the standards within this title and the Town of Kittery Design Handbook.

The area of any marijuana business accessible to customers must be no less than 400 nor more than 2,000 square feet.

Parking must conform to § 16.7.11F, Parking and loading.

Any building containing a marijuana business must be protected by fire suppression measures and fire alarms to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief and in accordance with all applicable building codes.

The owner of any marijuana business, at the time of application for a building permit, must provide an affidavit from a master electrician or electrical engineer certifying that the electrical components can meet the electrical load demands of the use.

Security.

The licensed premises must have video surveillance capable of covering the exterior and interior of the facility. The video surveillance system must be operated with continuous recording 24 hours per day, seven days per week and video retained for a minimum duration of 30 days. Such records must be made available to law enforcement agencies when investigating a criminal compliant.

The licensed premises must have an approved wastewater discharge plan in accordance with this title and Title 13.

The licensed premises must have exterior lighting that conforms with this title and the Town of Kittery's Design Handbook. The Planning Board, at its discretion, may require motion sensors covering the full perimeter of the building(s).

§ 16.5.33 Medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment.

General.

Pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A. § 2429-D, municipalities are prohibited from restricting the number of registered caregivers operating within their jurisdiction. The regulation of registered caregivers as provided for herein is not intended to proscribe their operation, but rather to promote the health, safety and welfare of the Town of Kittery by ensuring that a registered caregiver home establishment is compatible with both the area it is situated and the community as a whole.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment may not conduct activities that would qualify the use as a medical marijuana registered dispensary, adult use marijuana store, medical marijuana caregiver retail store, marijuana manufacturing facility or marijuana testing facility.

Any medical marijuana registered caregiver legally operating with Town approval as a home occupation as of the effective date of this section, but otherwise not meeting the definition of a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment, may continue to operate provided it has a valid medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment license from the Town and any applicable state license, and is maintained in accordance with this title. Such operations may not be built, used or occupied in any way that constitutes a material difference from any representations in either the approved application, findings of fact, or approval conditions for the major home occupation. If majority ownership of such an operation is transferred to any other person(s), the business must be brought into conformance with the definition and standards applicable to a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment, or may be permitted and licensed as any other type of marijuana business allowed on the property.

Permit required.

An applicant seeking Planning Board approval for a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment must submit a complete application with the following furnished documents:

Proof of property ownership or lease agreement in the Town of Kittery.

Proof of residency in Town of Kittery as determined by voter registration, vehicle registration or other documentation deemed acceptable to the Town.

All relevant State of Maine license information demonstrating the applicant as a valid registered caregiver.

A site plan that depicts all proposed outdoor growing areas. The Planning Board may require a site plan designed by a licensed surveyor or civil engineer registered in the State of Maine.

A floor plan of the building showing the existing and proposed layout and square footage.

Narrative describing the nature of the registered caregiver operation.

An application will be approved or approved with conditions if the Planning Board makes a positive finding based on the information presented that the proposed medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment demonstrates compliance with § 16.5.33C.

Standards.

Medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment must meet the following standards, except that a medical marijuana registered caregiver legally operating with Town approval as a major home occupation as of the effective date of this section is not required to meet these standards to the extent the major home occupation application, as approved, specifically allowed activities, uses or development that are not in conformance with these standards.

Manufacturing of medical marijuana products may occur only in zoning districts where a marijuana manufacturing facility is permitted.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment is restricted to the property of a dwelling unit serving as the primary residence of the registered caregiver. Proof of primary residence will be determined by voter registration, vehicle registration, property tax bill and/or other documentation acceptable to the Town.

The registered caregiver must provide documentation demonstrating ownership of the dwelling unit or a lease agreement permitting the registered caregiver to operate a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment must be an accessory use of the property, and is limited to utilize 40% or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, of the total floor area available within the dwelling unit.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment is permitted only to see patients, provide consultations, and perform other functions, pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A. 558-C § 2423-A.

Hours of operation may be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday inclusive, and must be by appointment only.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment may not have more than three employees.

There must be adequate parking on the lot to accommodate the property's residents in accordance with this title and zone-specific standards of this title, provided that at a minimum the site must include two parking spots plus one spot for each employees.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment must mitigate offensive odors such that they are not detectable by reasonable means at the property lines. Odors must be controlled by whatever best practices exist.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment is permitted to cultivate a cumulative total of 30 mature plants or 500 square feet of plant canopy, 60 immature plants, and unlimited seedlings. Cultivation may occur indoors, outdoors, or both.

The installation and displaying of signage advertising the presence of a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment on a lot is prohibited.

§ 16.5.34 Solar energy system, ground-mounted.

[Added 4-11-2022]

Purpose.

Pursuant to the land use and coastal community resilience goals of the Town of Kittery's Comprehensive Plan, it is deemed to be in the public interest to promote, integrate and regulate sustainable, renewable, nonpolluting energy systems that foster the generation, usage and distribution of clean energy; offset demand from the regional power system, and eliminate fossil fuel dependency and emissions.

The purpose of this section is to encourage the development of ground-mounted solar energy systems while protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. The standards herein shall include, but not be limited to, the site location, development, construction, operation, monitoring, modification and removal of such installations that address public safety, minimize impacts on scenic, natural and historic resources, protect residential neighborhoods and properties, and secure, as applicable, adequate financial assurance for the eventual decommissioning of installations.

Review and application classification. The review and approval authority for ground-mounted solar energy systems shall depend on the classification of the project as described below:

Small-scale solar energy system, not to exceed 1,000 square feet and not a special exception use: Code Enforcement Officer.

Small- and medium-scale solar energy system, above 1,000 square feet but not to exceed 5,000 square feet and not a special exception use: Technical Review Committee.

Large-scale solar energy systems: Planning Board.

Applicability and standards.

Applicability.

Notwithstanding the provision of 1 M.R.S. § 302 or any other law to the contrary, the requirements under § 16.5.34 shall apply to all ground-mounted solar energy systems modified or installed after the date of its enactment.

All solar energy systems shall be designed, erected, and installed in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal codes, regulations and standards.

Any upgrade, modification or structural change that materially alters the size, placement or output of an existing solar energy system shall comply with the provisions of § 16.7.13C.

General standards.

Small-, medium- and large-scale (under 20,000 square feet) solar energy systems shall comply with the following:

Emergency services. The applicant shall provide, at the minimum, a copy of the project summary, electrical schematic, and site plan to the Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Chief. Upon request, the applicant shall cooperate with the Fire Department in developing an emergency response plan. All means of shutting down the system shall be clearly marked and its location made known to the Fire Department prior to the activation of the system. A Knox-Box^® shall be installed at the entrance to the site and furnished with keys to fences and all other areas of controlled access.

Fencing. Where fencing is used, fences shall be constructed to the dimensional standards of a solid lock game fence that consists of eight-inch by twelve-inch openings at the fence's base, with progressively small openings at the top. An alternative fence may be used that is elevated at a minimum of five inches from the ground with the purpose of allowing the passage of small terrestrial animals. Additionally, at least one corner of the fence's perimeter shall have the placement of five-inch or larger diameter wooden escape poles as an alternative means for wildlife escape.

Glare. Solar panels are designed specifically to absorb only sunlight and are by their very nature less reflective than other varnished or glass exterior housing pieces. Nevertheless, all solar panels shall contain an anti-reflective coating, and a copy of the solar panel's design specification shall be provided, which shall include, at the minimum, data on the amount of glare intended to project from the solar panels. Moreover, the applicant shall submit information on the methods used to determine the best location of the solar panels for the purpose of averting the encroachment of solar glare onto abutting properties or roadways to the maximum extent practicable.

Land clearing, soil erosion, and habitat impacts. Clearing of natural vegetation shall be limited to what is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of ground-mounted solar energy systems or as otherwise prescribed by applicable laws, regulations, and Title 16. Adherence to the provisions of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Maine Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices is mandatory. Native, pollinator-friendly seed mixtures shall be used to the extent possible for revegetation, and the mowing of pollinator-friendly vegetation shall be minimized to the extent practicable. Herbicide and pesticide use is prohibited, unless demonstrated by the applicant as unequivocally necessary to manage vegetation growth. Removal of mature trees shall be avoided to the extent possible. In the event tree removal is proposed to accommodate a solar energy system, to qualify, the applicant must demonstrate that a specific tree or a group of trees degrades the functionality of the entire solar energy system by more than 10%. No prime agricultural soil or significant volume of topsoil shall be removed from the site to install the ground-mounted system or its appurtenant infrastructure.

Laws, ordinances, and regulations. The construction and operation of ground-mounted solar energy systems in conjunction with their appurtenant structures shall adhere to all applicable building and NFPA codes as well as other local, state, and federal regulations and requirements, including but not limited to safety, construction, electrical, and communication requirements.

Natural resources and wildlife. No large-scale solar energy system shall be located within areas identified as "Significant Wildlife Habitats" under Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act nor within critical habitat areas as designated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Safety. Where permitted, if energy storage systems are located on site as a component of the solar energy system, they shall adhere to the requirements of § 16.5.36, Energy storage systems.

Utility connections. All on-site utility lines, excluding the main service connection at the utility right-of-way, shall be underground within the facility unless demonstrated by the applicant to be physically impracticable.

Large-scale solar energy systems (above 20,000 square feet) shall comply with the following:

Emergency services. The applicant proposing a large-scale ground-mounted solar energy system shall provide, at a minimum, a copy of the project summary, electrical schematic, and site plan to the Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Chief. Upon request, the applicant shall cooperate with the Fire Department in developing an emergency response plan. All means of shutting down the system shall be clearly marked and its location made known to the Fire Department prior to the activation of the system. The applicant shall provide to the Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer the name and contact information of a responsible person for public inquiries throughout the life of the installation. A Knox-Box^® shall be installed at the entrance to the site and furnished with keys to fences and all other areas of controlled access.

Financial surety. The deposit, executions, or filing with the Town Clerk of cash, bond, or other form of security reasonably acceptable to the Town of Kittery shall be in an amount sufficient to ensure the good faith performance of the terms and conditions of the permit issued pursuant hereto and to provide for the removal and restoration of the site subsequent to removal. The amount of the bond or security shall be 125% of the cost of removal of the large-scale solar energy system and restoration of the property with an escalator of 2% annually for the life of the solar energy system. The decommissioning amount shall be reduced by the amount of the estimated salvage value of the solar energy system. In the event of default upon performance of such conditions, after proper notice and expiration of any cure periods, the cash deposit, bond, or security shall be forfeited to the Town of Kittery, which shall be entitled to maintain an action thereon. The cash deposit, bond, or security shall remain in full force and effect until restoration of the property as set forth in the decommissioning plan is completed. In the event of default or abandonment of the solar energy system, the system shall be decommissioned as set forth in Subsection B(2)(d) herein.

Fencing. Where fencing is used, fences shall be at a minimum six feet in height and constructed to the dimensional standards of a solid lock game fence that consists of eight-inch by twelve-inch openings at the fence's base with progressively small openings at the top. Alternatively, the Planning Board may modify this standard by permitting a different type of fence that is elevated at a minimum of five inches from the ground with the purpose of allowing the passage of small terrestrial animals. Additionally, at least four corners of the fence's perimeter shall have the placement of five-inch or larger diameter wooden escape poles as an alternative means for wildlife escape.

Glare. Solar panels are designed specifically to absorb only sunlight and are by their very nature less reflective than other varnished or glass exterior housing pieces. Nevertheless, all solar panels shall contain an anti-reflective coating, and a copy of the solar panel's design specification shall be provided, which shall include, at the minimum, data on the amount of glare intended to project from the solar panels. Moreover, the applicant shall submit information on methods used to determine the best location of the solar panels for the purpose of averting the encroachment of solar glare onto abutting properties or roadways to the maximum extent practicable.

Land clearing and erosion control. Clearing of natural vegetation shall be limited to what is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of ground-mounted solar energy systems or as otherwise prescribed by applicable laws, regulations, and standards within Title 16. Adherence to the provisions of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Maine Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices is mandatory. Herbicide and pesticide use is prohibited, unless demonstrated unequivocally as necessary to manage vegetation growth. No prime agricultural soil or significant volume of topsoil shall be removed from the site to install the ground-mounted system or its appurtenant infrastructure. Removal of mature trees is discouraged, and the imposition of mitigation measures or restrictions on tree clearing shall be prescribed by the Planning Board in order to prevent habitat fragmentation of existing forested landscapes and to protect hydrological regimes and other essential ecosystem functions. In the instance a site's vegetation is disturbed or must be removed to provide for solar access during the construction of the project, a vegetation management plan is required, demonstrating the creation of a beneficial habitat by using native or noninvasive vegetation in all disturbed areas of the site not used to achieve operational efficacy of the solar energy system. Nevertheless, the Planning Board may approve an alternative vegetation plan that uses native or noninvasive vegetation, but does not necessarily establish a beneficial habitat.

Laws, ordinances, and regulations. The construction and operation of ground-mounted solar energy systems in conjunction with their appurtenant structures shall adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and requirements, including but not limited to safety, construction, electrical, and communication requirements in addition to the NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code.

Operation and maintenance plan. A large-scale ground-mounted application shall include a plan for the operation and maintenance of the proposed large-scale ground-mounted solar energy system, which shall include, but not be limited to, measures for maintaining safe access to the installation, stormwater controls, general procedures for operational maintenance of the installation and a vegetation management plan.

Safety. The solar energy system owner or applicant shall provide a copy of the site plan review application to the Fire Chief for review and comment. The Fire Chief shall base any recommendations of the application upon review of the fire safety of the proposed system. The solar energy systems shall be maintained in good working order and in accordance with NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code standards. Site access shall be maintained, including snow removal at a level acceptable to the Fire Department. Where permitted, if an energy storage system is located as part of the solar energy system, it shall meet the requirements of § 16.5.36, Energy storage systems.

[10]

Signage. A sign shall be placed on a large-scale solar energy system to identify the owner and provide a twenty-four-hour emergency contact phone number.

Use type. Large-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems greater than 20,000 square feet shall not be considered as an accessory use.

Visual impact. Reasonable effort, as determined by the Planning Board, shall be made to minimize undue visual impacts by preserving native vegetation, screening abutting properties, or other appropriate measures, including adherence to height standards and setback requirements. To demonstrate compliance with this standard, an analysis of the potential visual impacts from the project, including solar panels, roads and fencing, along with measures used to avoid, minimize, or mitigate inappropriate visual effects, is required. Furthermore, all appurtenant structures, including but not limited to equipment, shelters, storage facilities, transformers, substations, and energy storage systems, shall be architecturally compatible with each other in accordance with the Kittery Design Handbook.

Additional standards for solar energy systems. In addition to the standards under Subsection B(2), the following standards shall be followed:

In the instance a solar energy system is proposed to be located on agricultural land, a solar energy system shall be designed with the objective of prioritizing primary agricultural activity and constructed in a manner that avoids, to the extent practicable, the discontinuance of agricultural land identified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service as "Prime Farmland" or "Farmland of Statewide Importance," or otherwise cause productive farmland to be removed from production.

In the instance the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates that prime agricultural land is incapable of being preserved, a vegetation management plan shall be provided to the Planning Board for approval.

Change of ownership, decommissioning, and abandonment of large-scale solar energy systems.

Ownership change. If the owner or operator of the solar energy system changes or the owner of the property changes, the approved site plan shall remain in effect, provided that the successor owner or operator assumes in writing all of the obligations of the site plan approval. A new owner or operator of the solar energy system shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer of such change in ownership or operator within 30 days of the ownership change.

Decommissioning. Solar energy systems that have reached the end of their useful life or are abandoned shall be removed. The owner or operator shall physically remove the installation no more than 180 days after the date of discontinued operations. The owner or operator shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer by certified mail of the proposed date of discontinued operations and plans for removal. Notification of discontinuance shall be no less than 180 days prior to the anticipated date of discontinuance. Decommissioning shall consist of the following:

Physical removal of all solar energy systems, structures, equipment, security barriers, and transmission lines from the site.

Disposal of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with local, state and federal waste disposal regulations.

Stabilization or revegetation for the site as necessary to minimize erosion and restore disturbed habitat in accordance with the site's vegetation management plan.

Absent notice of proposed date of decommissioning or written notice of extenuating circumstances, a large-scale ground-mounted solar energy system shall be considered abandoned when it fails to operate for more than one year without having first obtained the written consent of the Code Enforcement Officer.

If the owner or operator of the solar energy system fails to remove the installation within 180 days of abandonment or the proposed date of decommissioning, the Town of Kittery retains the right to use all available means to cause an abandoned, hazardous, or decommissioned large-scale ground-mounted solar energy system to be removed.

Dimensional standards.

Small- and medium-scale solar energy systems shall comply with the following dimensional standards:

Setbacks. Notwithstanding any other provision in this title to the contrary, the setbacks for ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be as follows:

Minimal front yard.

Residential zones.

For residential zoning districts, no part of the ground-mounted solar energy system may be placed closer to the front property line (and side property line in a case of a corner lot) than the principal structure to the street.

[ii]

Notwithstanding Subsection C(1)(a)[1][a][i], the Planning Board may permit a ground-mounted solar energy system to be closer to the front property line than the principal building under the following conditions:

[A]

There is no other suitable location on the property for the ground-mounted solar energy system.

The front setback is maintained.

[iii]

In the instance no building nor distinct principal building is present on the lot or multiple lots, the ground-mounted solar energy system shall adhere to the base zone setback and be buffered from the road.

Commercial, business and mixed-use zones: whatever the front yard setback for the zoning district, but no less than 10 feet.

Minimum rear yard and side yard: whatever the backyard setback for the zoning district, but no less than 10 feet.

Lot coverage. Solar energy systems that have vegetation or pervious materials underneath are exempt from lot coverage standards.

Height.

No taller than 10 feet in height or a height equal to 1/2 the distance to the nearest lot line, to a maximum of 20 feet.

Additional setbacks may be required to mitigate visual and functional impacts.

Large-scale solar energy systems shall comply with the following dimensional standards:

Setbacks. Notwithstanding any other provision in this title to the contrary, the setbacks for large-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be as follows:

Minimal front yard.

Notwithstanding Subsection C(2)(a)[1][a], the Planning Board may permit a ground-mounted solar energy system to be closer to the front property line than the principal building under the following conditions:

[A]

There is no other suitable location on the property for the ground-mounted solar energy system.

The front setback is maintained.

In the instance no building nor distinct principal building is present on the lot or multiple lots, the ground-mounted solar energy system shall be set back at least 100 feet and buffered from the road.

Commercial, business and mixed-use zones.

No part of the ground-mounted solar energy system may be placed closer to the front property line (and side property line in a case of a corner lot) than the principal structure to the street. In the instance no building nor distinct principal building is present on the lot or multiple lots, the ground-mounted solar energy system shall be set back at least 75 feet and buffered from the road.

Minimum rear and side yard: 50 feet.

Lot coverage. Solar energy systems that have vegetation or permeable materials underneath are exempt from lot coverage standards.

Height shall not exceed 20 feet in height. In determining, the height of any solar panel from the ground level shall not exceed 20 feet.

Additional setbacks may be required to mitigate visual and functional impacts.

§ 16.5.35 Solar energy system, roof-mounted and building-integrated.

[Added 4-11-2022]

Applicability. Roof-mounted, building-mounted and building-integrated solar energy systems and equipment are permitted by right, unless they are deemed by the Code Enforcement Officer, with input from the Fire Chief, to present one or more unreasonable safety risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

Weight load;

Wind resistance;

Ingress or egress in the event of fire or other emergency; or

Proximity of a ground-mounted system relative to buildings.

General requirements.

All solar energy systems installations shall be installed in compliance with the photovoltaic systems standards of the latest addition of the NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, as adopted, pursuant to § 16.2.8.F(5)(c).

Roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend more than 10 feet above the highest point of the roof.

Inspections. Prior to operation, electrical connections must be inspected and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, State of Maine Electrical Inspector, or designee.

§ 16.5.36 Energy storage systems.

[Added 4-11-2022]

Applicability. Energy storage systems are a permitted use in all applicable zones, pursuant to 16.4, Land Use Regulations of the Kittery Town Code.

General requirements.

Energy storage systems shall adhere to all standards under NFPA 1 Fire Code, NFPA 70 National Electrical Code and NFPA 855 Standards for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, as amended, as well as all other applicable local, state and federal regulations so as to protect the health, safety and welfare.

Mobile energy storage systems shall comply with the provisions of NFPA 855 Standards for the Installation of Stationary Energy Systems, Chapter 4.5.

Inspections. Prior to operation, the following inspections and approvals must occur:

On-site safety inspection by the Fire Chief or designee; and

Electrical connection inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer, State of Maine Electrical Inspector, or designee.

Kittery City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 16

5 General Performance Standards

§ 16.5.1 General.

The purpose of this chapter is to outline development design and performance standards to ensure public health, safety and welfare.

§ 16.5.2 Abutter notice.

Applicability.

Figure 1. Abutters

Figure 1 Formula for Determining Ownership of Intertidal Land as a Guide for Identifying Abutters

§ 16.5.3 Accessory dwelling units.

Applicability.

An accessory dwelling unit is allowed in all zoning districts where the use is permitted in Chapter 16.4. The unit must be located:

Within an existing structure, either principal or accessory on the property; or

Attached to the existing principal structure, sharing a common wall; or

Within a new accessory structure constructed for this purpose on the property.

Outside of the Shoreland Overlay Zone, as defined in Chapter 16.4.

[Added 11-27-2023]

Application for accessory dwelling unit.

Accessory dwelling unit standards.

Lot standards.

[Amended 11-27-2023]

(Reserved)

Utility connections. Accessory dwelling units must be connected to adequate water and wastewater services.

Public sewer.

Service: written verification must be provided of adequate service to support the additional flow from the Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment Facilities.

Fees. Payment of appropriate fees for connection to the municipal sewer system is required prior to obtaining the certificate of occupancy.

Public water. Verification, in writing, is required from the Kittery water district for volume and supply.

Parking. No additional parking space is required for the accessory dwelling unit, but the primary dwelling unit must have on-site parking.

Private road or right-of-way access. Where an applicant seeks to locate an accessory dwelling unit on a privately maintained road or right-of-way the following applies:

Applicant must submit written consent from the road or homeowner's association or owner and parties responsible for street maintenance.

Unit standards.

[Amended 11-27-2023]

Unit location.

An accessory dwelling unit must meet one or more of the following conditions:

Be fully constructed within the existing footprint of any legal primary residence or accessory building; or

Share a common wall with the principal residence, providing yard setbacks per § 16.5.3D(2)(a); or

Be constructed as a new accessory building containing an accessory dwelling unit, providing yard setbacks can be met for the zone.

Accessory dwelling units will be allowed to be fully constructed within the principal residence even if the building does not meet yard setbacks.

Accessory dwelling units will not be allowed in accessory buildings encroaching on yard setbacks.

Use standards. The accessory dwelling unit may not be rented to the same person or party for less than a thirty-day period.

Violations. A violation of the use standard § 16.5.3D(3) will lose the certificate of occupancy for the unit for no less than 30 days, and be assessed a penalty of $500.

§ 16.5.4 Affordable housing.

Applicability.

Affordable housing regulations are applicable only in zones which explicitly state so and as follows:

All major subdivisions, including those planned in phases, in all zones that create five or more lots. Minor subdivisions are exempt.

All developments as described in Subsection B(1)(a) and (b) above whether the dwelling units proposed are intended for sale or for lease.

Affordable housing regulations do not apply to hotels, motels, rooming houses, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, residential care facilities or elder care facilities.

Requirements.

[Amended 9-12-2022]

Location.

Off-site affordable housing may be new construction, a rehabilitation, remodel or renovation of an existing structure, or a change of use from nonresidential to residential.

Incentives.

Zoning districts having density incentives may be reviewed under the pertinent zone located in Chapter 16.4, Land Use Zone Regulations.

The Town will reduce the permitting costs for developments including affordable housing as follows:

For developments comprised of 10% to 15% affordable housing units: 10% off total permitting costs except for sewer connection fees.

For developments comprised of 16% to 24% affordable housing units: 15% off total permitting costs except for sewer connection fees.

For developments comprised of 25% and over affordable housing units: 20% off total permitting costs except for sewer connection fees.

Standards.

Eligibility and restrictions.

Affordable housing units or lots that will be owner-occupied must be:

Affordable housing units that will be leased must be:

Subleasing of any leased affordable housing unit is not permitted. Leasing or renting, including short-term rentals, of any owner-occupied affordable housing unit is not permitted.

Market and pricing.

Affordable housing units must be actively marketed for sale or lease, as applicable, to eligible households, which active marketing must include, as a minimum, the following:

The owner shall provide a notice of availability to the Town of intent to lease or sell an affordable housing unit. Such notice must be given at least 14 days prior to advertising the unit.

The housing unit must be marketed for 90 days after the Town's receipt of notice of availability.

Initial maximum sale pricing of new affordable units must be set as follows:

From the table below, determine the minimum household size based on the number of bedrooms in the unit

	1-bedroom or studio	2-bedroom	3-bedroom	4-bedroom
Minimum household size	1	2	3	4

The sale price will then be set based on a thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage with a minimum 3.5% downpayment. Larger downpayments will not change the maximum allowable sale price.

No affordable housing unit may be sold for more than the maximum sale price.

Maximum resale pricing of affordable units must be set as follows:

Calculate the average percentage change in the area median income used for the initial pricing for the relevant minimum household size between the year of purchase and the present.

Monthly rental costs for affordable housing units will be set based on the following:

Find the minimum household size based on the number of bedrooms from the table below:

	1-bedroom or studio	2-bedroom	3-bedroom	4-bedroom
Minimum household size	1	2	3	4

Use the formula below to calculate the monthly rent:

0.30 x (annual income based on minimum household size/12) - utilities = affordable rental unit rent.

Supplemental standards for approval.

In addition, all housing-related projects in the C-1 Zone must undergo master site plan review even if only one building is proposed. See Chapter 16.6.

§ 16.5.5 Agriculture.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Agricultural practices must be conducted to minimize soil erosion, sedimentation, contamination and nutrient enrichment of groundwater and surface waters.

For additional requirements related to agriculture in the shoreland zones, see §16.9.4D(1).

§ 16.5.6 Agriculture, piggery.

Number of animals. There may be no more than three pigs allowed on a lot.

Setbacks. The following distances are from the identified use to the nearest property not owned or controlled by the operator/owner of the piggery:

Structures: 50 feet.

Feed lots, pens and extensively used areas: 100 feet.

Erosion and sediment control. The property owner shall demonstrate to the Code Enforcement Officer that erosion and sediment runoff will not enter an abutting property.

§ 16.5.7 Agriculture, poultry facility.

Setbacks. The following distances are from the identified nearest property not owned or controlled by the operator/owner of the poultry facility:

Structure, including barn or coops: 50 feet.

Feed lots, pens and extensively used areas: 100 feet.

Erosion and sediment control. The property owner shall demonstrate to the Code Enforcement Officer that erosion and sediment runoff will not enter an abutting property.

§ 16.5.8 Campgrounds and campsites.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

§ 16.5.9 Conservation of wetlands including vernal pools.

Purpose.

Prevent the development of structures and land uses within wetlands and wetland setback areas that may contribute to the pollution of surface water and groundwater by sewage or toxic substances;

Prevent the destruction of, or significant changes to, wetlands which provide flood and shoreline protection, recharge groundwater supplies, and augment stream flow during dry periods;

Protect wetland areas and promote healthy wetland buffers that will preserve and enhance the wetlands;

Protect wildlife habitats, such as vernal pools, deer habitat, nesting sites, etc., and maintain ecological balances; and

Establish maintenance responsibility and/or fees to protect and maintain the wetland areas.

Wetlands of special significance have one or more of the following characteristics:

Critically imperiled or imperiled community. The freshwater wetland contains a natural community that is "critically imperiled" as defined by the Maine Natural Areas Program.

Significant wildlife habitat. The freshwater wetland contains significant wildlife habitat as defined by 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-B(10).

Location near coastal wetland. The freshwater wetland is located within 250 feet of a coastal wetland.

Location near a water body. The freshwater wetland is located within 250 feet of the normal high-water line and within the same watershed of a lake or pond.

River, stream or brook. The freshwater wetland is located within 25 feet of a river, stream or brook.

(i)

Monetary value. An estimation can be determined based on the importance of the wetland with respect to the individual or collective functions it provides.

(j)

Vernal pools. The wetland contains a particular aquatic habitat as defined by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), including those mapped as significant vernal pools by MDEP.

Regulated activities within wetlands.

Conservation areas and nature trails;

Education and scientific research;

Low-intensity recreation;

Repair and maintenance of existing permanent structures requiring the addition or removal of 10 cubic yards or less of earth material to (form) a water body or wetland;

Placement of drainage outfall pipes requiring the addition or removal of less than 10 cubic yards of material;

Repair in kind, maintenance and necessary upgrade of existing drainage facilities;

Repair in kind and maintenance of existing transportation facilities;

Placement of moorings, subject to Harbormaster approval;

Wilderness areas and natural wildlife refuges;

Emergency public safety operations; and

Any other activity as determined by the Planning Board that does not result in a measurable alteration of the wetland.

Prohibited uses within regulated wetlands. The following structures and activities are considered to be incompatible with protecting wetlands and are prohibited within regulated wetlands:

Disposal or storage of waste and/or hazardous materials;

Manure stockpiles;

Road salt stockpiles;

Topsoil removal except as permitted in § 16.5.9D or with Planning Board approval;

Bulk fuel storage;

Herbicidal spraying;

Invasive nonnative wetland plants; and

Snow dumping.

Procedures for wetlands alteration application.

Wetlands alteration approval criteria.

The proposed use:

Uses, manages or expands one or more other areas of the site that will avoid or reduce the wetland impact;

Reduces the size, scope, configuration or density of the project as proposed, thereby avoiding or reducing the wetland impact;

Provides alternative project designs, such as conservation subdivision, roof gardens, bridges, etc., that avoid or lessen the wetland impact; and

[Amended 10-24-2022]

Demonstrates that the proposed development meets or exceeds best management practices for stormwater management in the wetland areas.

The proposed use will not:

Unreasonably impair or diminish the wetland's existing capacity to absorb, store and slowly release stormwater and surface water runoff;

Unreasonably increase the flow of surface waters through the wetland;

Result in a measurable increase in the discharge of surface waters from the wetland;

Unreasonably impair or diminish the wetland's capacity for retention and absorption of silt, organic matter, and nutrients;

Result in a measurable increase of the existing seasonal temperature of surface waters in the wetland or surface waters discharged from the wetlands; or

Result in a measurable alteration or destruction of a vernal pool.

Expiration of wetlands alteration approval.

Mitigation plan.

Required fees and compensation.

Restoration and preservation of wetlands;

Purchase of buffer areas for wetlands deemed at risk;

Monitoring and improvement of water quality;

Environmental and conservation projects, such as, but not limited to, education;

Matching grant funds;

Open space land purchases in conjunction with the Open Space Committee;

Assistance to the Kittery Land Trust; and/or

Purchase of signage to denote sensitive and wetland areas.

Submission requirements for wetland alteration application.

Minimum requirements. Unless specifically waived by the Planning Board, all applications must contain the following information:

Fifteen copies of the narrative, the site plan and the vicinity map required in this subsection.

A copy of the official documents showing legal interest of the applicant in the property to be affected.

A narrative, describing:

The purpose of the project;

The type of alteration to the wetland (fill, culvert, dredge, etc.);

Why there is no practicable alternative to impacting the wetland; and

How the proposed activity has been designed to minimize the impact on the wetland.

A plan view showing the site as viewed from above is required. The plan view must:

Contain a code block in the lower right-hand corner. The block must contain the:

Name(s) and address(es) of the applicant or owner;

Name and address of the preparer of the plan, with professional seal, if applicable;

Name of plan, date of plan preparation, and a revision number and date, if applicable; and

Map and lot number(s), according to Kittery tax maps, shown in the lower right-hand corner in bold lettering and 1/4 inch high.

Show a North arrow.

Show property boundaries.

Indicate the square footage of wetlands to be affected by the proposed activity.

Show the direction of natural water flow over the land, in the wetland, and in the proposed alteration area.

Show the location of the 100-year floodway and flood hazard boundaries as shown on the current effective National Flood Insurance Program maps, if applicable.

[10]

Specify the number of cubic yards and type of material to be used as fill, if fill material is involved.

Specify the type of material, number of cubic yards, method of handling, and the location of fill and spoil disposal area, if dredge material is involved.

Show all owners of property within 150 feet of the proposed alteration, together with their mailing addresses and map and lot designations from the Assessor's records.

A vicinity map, utilizing a topographic map at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 600 feet, showing the boundary of the proposed activity.

One set of photographs, taken during the growing season if possible, showing the wetland, adjacent water bodies if applicable, and the alteration area before development begins.

A site plan showing existing and proposed topographic contours at two-foot intervals;

A hydrologic analysis in accordance with the requirements of this chapter;

Cross-section drawings showing the nature of the construction, the depth of excavation or height of fill, if applicable, and surface water and groundwater elevations; and

An evaluation, by a qualified wetlands scientist or a Maine-certified soils scientist, assessing the functions of the wetland and the impact of the proposed activity on these functions.

Wetlands mitigation plan and report. A wetlands mitigation plan and report is required for activities which, in total, affect or fill more than 500 square feet of wetlands.

The wetland mitigation plan and report must contain the following:

Existing wetland characteristics, including water depth, vegetation and fauna;

Photographs of the wetland to be altered which show its characteristics.

Proposed boundaries and characteristics of the mitigation site, including elevation, sources of water, and proposed vegetation;

Narrative describing the specific goals in terms of particular wetland functions and values. These goals must be related to those of the original wetland;

Narrative describing the available literature or experience to date (if any) for carrying out the mitigation work;

Proposed implementation and management procedures for the wetlands work;

Description of the short-term and long-term sources of water for this wetland, including the water quality of these sources;

Plans for replanting, including a description of plant species, sizes and sources of plant material, as well as how, when and where seeding or planting will take place;

Proposed buffers or protective measures, such as sediment control methods;

Plans for monitoring the wetlands work, showing capability for mid-course corrections; and

Plans, if any, for control of nonindigenous plant species.

For projects involving preservation of wetlands or adjacent uplands, a conservation easement must be conveyed or deed restriction imposed so that the parcel will remain undeveloped in perpetuity.

§ 16.5.10 Essential services.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Replacement of equipment without permit. Damaged or destroyed public utility transmission and distribution lines, towers and related equipment may be replaced or reconstructed without a permit.

§ 16.5.11 Floodplain management.

[Amended 10-16-2024]

Statement of purpose and intent.

Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 4001 et seq.

Establishment of flood areas.

Permit required.

Application for permit. The application for a flood hazard development permit must be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer and include:

The name, address, and phone number of the applicant, owner, and contractor.

An address and a map indicating the location of the construction site.

A statement of the intended use of the structure and/or development.

A statement of the cost of the development, including all materials and labor.

A statement as to the type of sewage system proposed.

Specification of dimensions of the proposed structure and/or development.

[Note: Subsections E(8) through (13) below apply only to new construction or substantial improvements, as defined by Title 16]

The elevation in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) or to a locally established datum in Zone A only, of the:

Base flood for structures located in the special flood hazard areas, at the proposed site of all new or substantially improved structures, which is determined:

In Zones AE, and VE, from data contained in the "Flood Insurance Study — York County, Maine," as described in § 16.5; or

In Zone A.

In the absence of all data described in § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], information to demonstrate that the structure must meet the elevation requirements in § 16.5.11H(8)(b)[2], (9)(b)[2] or (10)(b)[2].

Highest and lowest grades at the site adjacent to the walls of the proposed building;

Lowest floor, including basement, and whether or not such structures contain a basement;

Lowest machinery and equipment servicing the building; and

Level, in the case of nonresidential structures only, to which the structure will be floodproofed.

A description of an elevation reference point established on the site of developments for which elevation standards apply as required in § 16.5.11H.

A written certification by:

A professional land surveyor, that the grade elevations shown on the application are accurate; and

A professional land surveyor, registered professional engineer or architect, verifying that the base flood elevations shown on the application are accurate.

The following certifications as required in § 16.5.11.H, by a registered professional engineer or architect:

A V-Zone Certificate to verify that construction in coastal high-hazard areas, Zones Coastal AE and VE, will meet the criteria of § 16.5.11H(18) and other applicable standards in § 16.5.11H.

A Hydraulic Openings Certificate to verify that engineered hydraulic openings in foundation walls will meet the standards of § 16.5.11H(14)(b)[1].

A certified statement that bridges will meet the standards of § 16.5.11H(15).

A certified statement that containment walls will meet the standards of § 16.5.11H(16).

A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development.

A statement of construction plans describing in detail how each applicable development standard in § 16.5.11H will be met.

Application fee and expert's fee.

A nonrefundable application fee as set out in Appendix A shall be paid to the Code Enforcement Officer, and a copy of a receipt for the same must accompany the application.

Review standards for flood hazard development permit applications. The Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board, when applicable, must:

Utilize, in the review of all flood hazard development permit applications:

The base flood and floodway data contained in the "Flood Insurance Study — York County, Maine," as described in § 16.5.11C.

When the Town establishes a base flood elevation in a Zone A by methods outlined in § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2], the community must submit that data to the Maine Floodplain Management Program.

Make interpretations of the location of boundaries of special flood hazard areas shown on the maps described in § 16.5.11C.

If the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter, approve the issuance of one of the following flood hazard development permits, based on the type of development:

Development standards. All developments in areas of special flood hazard must meet the following applicable standards.

All developments must:

Use construction materials that are resistant to flood damage;

Use construction methods and practices that will minimize flood damage; and

All new and replacement water supply systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems.

All new and replacement sanitary sewage systems must be designed and located to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the system into floodwaters.

On-site waste disposal systems must be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during floods.

New construction or substantial improvement of any structure (including manufactured homes) located within:

Zone VE must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18)[4].

Certain development projects, including but not limited to, retaining walls, sea walls, levees, berms, and rip rap, can cause physical changes that affect flooding conditions.

If the professional engineer determines, through the use of engineering judgement, that the project would not necessitate a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), a certified statement must be provided.

If the professional engineer determines that the project may cause a change, a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis that meets current FEMA standards must be performed.

New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure located within:

Zone AE must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Zone A must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated:

To at least one foot above the base flood elevation utilizing information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], § 16.5.11G(2) or § 16.5.11K(1)(d); or

In the absence of all data described above in 16.5.11H(8)(b)[1], to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure.

Zones VE and Coastal AE (as defined by Title 16) must meet the requirements of 16.5.11H(18).

New construction or substantial improvement of any nonresidential structure located within:

Zone AE must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, must:

Be floodproofed to at least one foot above the base flood level so that below that elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to passage of water;

Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy; and

Zone A must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to:

At least one foot above the base flood elevation utilizing information obtained pursuant to § 16.5.11E(8)(a)[2][a], § 16.5.11G(2) or § 16.5.11.K(1)(d), or

In the absence of all data described in § 16.5.11.H(9)(b)[1] above, to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure; or

Zone VE and Coastal AE (as defined by Title 16) must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18).

New or substantially improved manufactured homes located within:

Zone AE must:

Be elevated such that the lowest floor is at least one foot above the base flood elevation; and

Be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to:

By frame ties at each corner of the home, plus five additional ties along each side at intermediate points (manufactured homes less than 50 feet long require four additional ties per side).

All components of the anchoring system described in § 16.5.11H(10)(a)[3][a] and [b] must be capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds.

Zone A must:

In the absence of all data described in 16.5.11H(10)(b)[1] above, to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure; and

Meet the anchoring requirements of § 16.5.11H(10)(a)[3].

Zones VE and Coastal AE must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18).

Recreational Vehicles located within:

Zones A or AE must either:

Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; and

Be permitted in accordance with the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in § 16.5.11H(10)[a].

Zones V1-30 and VE and Coastal AE (as defined by Title 16) must meet the requirements of either § 16.5.11H(11)(a)[1] and [2] or § 16.5.11H(18).

Accessory structures located in Zones A and AE must:

Meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(1)(a) through (d), as applicable.

Be limited in size to a one-story two-car garage.

Have unfinished interiors and not be used for human habitation.

Have hydraulic openings as specified in § 16.5.11H(14)(b), in at least two different walls of the accessory structure.

Be located outside the floodway.

Have only ground fault interrupt electrical outlets. The electric service disconnect shall be located above the base flood elevation and when possible, outside the special flood hazard area.

Be located outside the Coastal AE Zone.

Accessory structures located in Zones VE and Coastal A must meet the requirements of § 16.5.11H(18):

Floodways.

Will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the community; and

Is consistent with the technical criteria in FEMA's guidelines and standards for flood risk analysis and mapping.

Enclosed areas are not basements, as defined in Chapter 16.3.; and

Be engineered and certified by a registered professional engineer or architect; or

Meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of the enclosed area;

The bottom of all openings must be below base flood elevation and no higher than one foot above the lowest grade; and

The enclosed area may not be used for human habitation; and

The enclosed areas are usable solely for building access, parking of vehicles, or storage.

New construction or substantial improvement of any bridge located within Zones A, and VE must be designed such that:

When possible, the lowest horizontal member (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation; and

A registered professional engineer shall certify that:

The structural design and methods of construction shall meet the elevation requirements of this section and the floodway standards of § 16.5.11H(13); and

New construction or substantial improvement of any containment wall located within:

Zones A, AE, and VE must:

Have the containment wall elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation;

Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy; and

New construction or substantial improvement of wharves, piers and docks are permitted in and over water and seaward of the mean high tide if the following requirements are met:

In Zones A and AE, wharves, piers and docks must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations; or

In Zone VE, wharves, piers and docks must have a registered professional engineer shall develop or review the structural design, specifications and plans for the construction.

Coastal floodplains.

New construction located within Zones AE and VE is to be located landward of the reach of the highest annual spring tide, except as provided by § 16.5.11H(18)(f).

New construction or substantial improvement of any structure located within Zones AE or VE must:

Be elevated on posts or columns such that:

The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation;

Water loading values used must be those associated with the base flood. Wind loading values used must be those required by applicable state and local building standards;

Have the space below the lowest floor:

Free of obstructions; or

Constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls which have a design safe loading resistance of not less than 10 nor more than 20 pounds per square foot.

Require a registered professional engineer or architect to:

Develop or review the structural design, specifications and plans for the construction, which must meet or exceed the technical criteria contained in the Coastal Construction Manual (FEMA-55); and

Certify that the design and methods of construction to be used are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the criteria of § 16.5.11H(18)(b);

The use of fill for structural support in Zones Coastal AE and VE is prohibited.

The enclosed areas below the lowest floor must be used solely for parking vehicles, building access, and storage.

The special exception use must be limited to low value structures such as metal or woodsheds 200 square feet or less and must not exceed one story.

The structure must not adversely increase wave or debris impact forces affecting nearby buildings.

The structure must have unfinished interiors and must not be used for human habitation.

Any mechanical, utility equipment, and fuel storage tanks must be anchored and either elevated or floodproofed to at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Special exception use review.

Review procedure for a special exception flood hazard development permit.

Before deciding any application, the Planning Board must hold a public hearing on the application within 30 days of their receipt of the application.

Expansion of special exception uses.

Certificate of compliance.

For new construction or substantial improvement of any elevated structure allowed by this chapter, the applicant must submit:

An elevation certificate completed by a professional land surveyor for compliance with § 16.5.11H(8), (9), (10) or (18); and

The applicant must submit written notification to the Code Enforcement Officer that the development is complete and complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Within 10 working days, the Code Enforcement Officer must:

Review the required certificate(s) and the applicant's written notification; and

Upon determination that the development conforms to the provisions of this chapter, issue a certificate of compliance.

Review of subdivision and development proposals.

All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.

All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages.

Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

Appeals and variances.

The Board of Appeals may grant a variance from the requirements of the ordinance consistent with state law and following criteria:

Variances must not be granted within any designated regulatory floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.

Variances will be granted only upon:

A showing of good and sufficient cause; and

A showing that the issuance of the variance will not conflict with other state, federal, or local laws or ordinances; and

A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in "undue hardship," which in this subsection means:

That the land in question cannot yield a reasonable return unless a variance is granted; and

That the need for a variance is due to the unique circumstances of the property and not to the general conditions in the neighborhood; and

That the granting of a variance will not alter the essential character of the locality; and

That the hardship is not the result of action taken by the applicant or a prior owner.

Variances may be issued for new construction, substantial improvements, or other development for the conduct of a functionally dependent use provided that:

The criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3) and § 16.5.11H(13) are met; and

The structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the base flood and create no additional threats to public safety.

Variances may be issued for the repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration of historic structures upon the determination that:

The development meets the criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3); and

Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvement of agricultural structures being used for the conduct of agricultural uses provided that:

The development meets the criteria of § 16.5.11L(2) and (3); and

The development meets the criteria of § 16.5.11H(13) and (14).

Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property; and

Any variances needed by the applicant must be approved prior to any required Planning Board action through the subdivision or special exception process.

Appeal procedure for administrative and variance appeals.

An administrative or variance appeal may be taken to the Board of Appeals by an aggrieved party within 30 days after receipt of a written decision of the Code Enforcement Officer or Planning Board.

The Board of Appeals must hold a public hearing on the appeal within 35 days of its receipt of an appeal request.

The person filing the appeal will have the burden of proof.

The Board of Appeals must decide all appeals within 35 days after the close of the hearing, and issue a written decision on all appeals.

Enforcement and penalties.

It is the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance pursuant to Title 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452.

The penalties contained in Title 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452 apply to any violation of this Ordinance.

The name of the property owner and address or legal description of the property sufficient to confirm its identity or location;

A clear and unequivocal declaration that the property is in violation of a cited State or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

A clear statement that the public body making the declaration has authority to do so and a citation to that authority;

Evidence that the property owner has been provided notice of the violation and the prospective denial of insurance; and

A clear statement that the declaration is being submitted pursuant to Section 1316 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended.

Validity and severability. If any section or provision of this chapter is declared by the courts to be invalid, such decision does not invalidate any other section or provision of this chapter.

Abrogation. This chapter repeals and replaces any municipal ordinance previously enacted to comply with the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-488, as amended).

Disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by the ordinance is considered reasonable but does not imply total flood protection.

§ 16.5.12 Home occupation.

Purpose.

Minor home occupation standards.

Compliance with the definition of a "home occupation."

Number of workers. There must be no more than three persons, inclusive of residents of the premises, working in the home occupation(s) at the site at any one time.

Nuisances.

One parking space per nonresident worker at the site during the peak shift;

One parking space if clients or customers frequently visit the site;

One parking space per adult student up to the maximum class size; or

One parking space per rental unit.

Outdoor storage. All outdoor storage of equipment, vehicles, items or equipment associated with the home occupation is prohibited except for the following:

One vehicle used in conjunction with the home occupation;

Seasonal storage of items necessary for functionally water-dependent uses, such as lobster traps; and

Vehicles owned by residents of the premises with valid license plates.

All bait must be stored indoors and must be kept refrigerated or otherwise stored to prevent offensive odors.

Retail sales. Retail sales in which customers do not come to the premises are permissible, such as mail order or telephone sales. On-site retail sales are limited to the following:

Sales of items customarily incidental and subordinate to a nonretail home occupation, such as sales of shampoo and hair brushes at a beauty salon.

All other on-site retail sales are prohibited as a minor home occupation.

Health and safety. The proposed use must not create a health or safety hazard.

Major home occupation standards.

Compliance with the definition of a "home occupation."

Number of workers. There must be no more than five persons, inclusive of residents of the premises, working in the home occupation(s) at the site at any one time.

Business hours. Business activities involving clients or customers on the premises or vehicular traffic to and from the premises must not be conducted between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except for a bed-and-breakfast, a day-care facility or a functionally water-dependent use. This limitation may be modified by the BOA provided the proposal satisfies the intent of this section.

Nuisances.

One vehicle used in conjunction with the home occupation;

Seasonal storage of items necessary for functionally water-dependent uses, such as lobster traps; and

Vehicles owned by residents of the premises with valid license plates.

All bait must be stored indoors and must be kept refrigerated or otherwise stored to prevent offensive odors.

Retail sales. Retail sales on the premises are limited to the following:

Sales in which customers do not come to the premises, such as mail order or telephone sales;

Sales of products grown, raised or produced on the premises;

Sales of seafood harvested by the residents of the premises;

Sales of items customarily incidental and subordinate to a nonretail home occupation, such as sales of shampoo and hair brushes at a beauty salon; and/or

Sales by appointment only for which any signage identifying the business states a "by appointment only" policy.

Health and safety. The proposed use must not create a health or safety hazard.

Neighborhood compatibility. The proposed use is determined to be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. In reaching this determination, the following factors are to be considered:

The nature of the property;

The physical characteristics of the neighborhood, including the amount of nonresidential activity;

Hours of operation;

Intensity of the activity;

Potential to degrade the quality of life for residents of the surrounding neighborhood; and

The cumulative impact of existing home occupations and other accessory uses both on the premises and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Medical marijuana use is restricted to single-family residences only.

Annual renewal.

§ 16.5.13 Junkyards and/or automobile salvage yards.

Junk piles. Junk piles may only be inside the buffered area and piled no higher than 15 feet.

Hours of operation. Work in connection with demolishing or wrecking cars or purchasing or selling items is permitted only on Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Signs. One four-foot-by-six-foot maximum, nonilluminated sign is permitted at the entrance to the property.

Cleanliness. Junkyards and salvage yards should be kept reasonably neat and clean, with no debris or other nuisance permitted outside of the buffered area.

Other standards application. All other applicable standards of this chapter not specifically mentioned here, such as parking, noise, etc., also apply to this use.

§ 16.5.14 Lots.

Lot shape.

Side lot lines. Side lot lines must be substantially at right angles or radial to street lines.

Multiple frontages. When lots have frontage on two or more streets, the plan and deed restrictions must indicate vehicular access to be located only on the least traveled way.

Land subdivision. The subdividing of land must conform to the requirements of Chapter 16.4.

§ 16.5.15 Manufactured housing.

Standards. Standards for manufactured housing include the following:

All mobile home units must be manufactured after June 15, 1976, and shall have a manufacturer-installed sticker indicating HUD approval.

All units must be manufactured with a pitched, shingled roof, with a minimum slope three inches on 12 inches (3:12).

All units must have residential-type siding, such as clapboards, shakes, horizontally applied aluminum, or vinyl resembling clapboards.

All units, excluding individual mobile home park installations, must have a permanent foundation, which may be either a full basement or a poured or block frost wall.

All other sections of this title must be adhered to.

§ 16.5.16 Mineral/earth material exploration and removal.

Mineral extraction, including sand and gravel extraction, is prohibited within the Conservation, Shoreland Overlay and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.

No slopes steeper than three feet horizontal to one foot vertical may be permitted at any extraction site unless a fence at least three feet high is erected to limit access to such locations.

The hours of operation at any extraction site are to be limited as the Planning Board deems advisable to ensure operational compatibility with residents of the Town.

Loaded vehicles must be suitable covered to prevent dust and contents from spilling or blowing from the load, and all trucking routes and methods are subject to approval by the Chief of Police.

§ 16.5.17 Mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Permit display. Permits issued under this section must be conspicuously posted on the premises at all times and are not transferable.

A campground or recreational vehicle park may not be constructed on less than five acres of land.

Each tent site must be provided with a masonry or metal fireplace approved by the Fire Chief.

Spaces in campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks may be used by travel trailers, equivalent facilities constructed in or on automotive vehicles, tents or other short-term shelter devices.

Recreational vehicles must be parked on sites containing a minimum of 2,500 square feet and having a minimum frontage along the traveled way of 50 feet, exclusive of drives and aisles.

Tent sites must contain a minimum of 2,500 square feet. There must be a minimum of 30 feet between tents.

Recreational vehicles must be so parked in spaces that:

There will be a minimum of 15 feet between vehicles.

There will be a minimum of 15 feet between all recreational vehicles and the exterior boundary of the park.

No camping unit or structure may be located less than 100 feet from any residence.

The storage, collection and disposal of refuse must not create health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident hazards or air pollution.

No unoccupied camping unit may be stored or exhibited for sale for commercial purposes within the park.

Mobile home parks.

Mobile home parks, by special exception, may be located as indicated in Chapter 16.4.

Lots within a shoreland zoning district must meet the lot area, setback and shore frontage requirements for that district.

Lots in a mobile home park must meet the following lot size, width and density requirements:

Lots by public sewer.

Minimum lot area: 6,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 50 feet.

Lots served by individual on-site subsurface wastewater disposal system.

Minimum lot area: 20,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 100 feet.

Minimum lot area: 12,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 75 feet.

The overall density of the mobile home park is the combined area of its mobile home lots plus:

The area required for road rights-of-way;

The area required for buffer strips, if any;

For areas served by public sewer, an open space area for storage and recreation equal to 10% of the combined area of the individual lots; and

The area within the municipality's shoreland setback.

All buildings on the lot, including accessory buildings and structures, but excluding open decks and parking spaces, may not cover more than 50% of the lot area.

The following setback rules apply to all mobile homes and accessory buildings:

If a lot is on a public road, the setback must conform with the residential setback requirements applicable to other residential dwelling units in the zone.

So as to avoid monotony and sameness, the Code Enforcement Officer may allow:

The replacement and/or relocation of a mobile home to be located no closer to the front yard setback than the existing mobile home or pad.

Carports of noncombustible materials are not subject to setback requirements.

A minimum twenty-foot separation must be maintained between all mobile homes in all directions.

All buildings on the lot, including accessory buildings and structures, but excluding open decks and parking spaces, may cover not more than 50% of the lot area.

Where a developer elects to create a mobile home park where all land is under unified ownership, the park plan must demonstrate that the development standards described herein are met.

Privately owned roads within the mobile home park must be designed by a professional engineer, registered in the State of Maine, and built according to accepted engineering standards.

For mobile home parks expected to generate 200 trips per day or more, there must be at least two entrances from public streets or roads.

Mobile home park streets which intersect with public roads must meet the following standards:

Angle of intersection. The desired angle of intersection is to be 90°. The minimum angle of intersection is to be 75°.

Grade. The maximum permissible grade within 75 feet of the intersection is 2%.

Right-of-way and pavement width are to be as follows:

Two-way park roads must have a minimum right-of-way of 23 feet and a minimum paved surface of 20 feet. On-street parking is prohibited.

One-way streets must have a minimum right-of-way of 18 feet and a minimum paved surface of 14 feet. On-street parking is prohibited.

Parking lanes are to be a minimum of eight feet in width, if provided.

Cul-de-sac turnarounds are to have minimum radii of 50 feet at the outer edge of the pavement, exclusive of any parking areas.

Curvilinear streets must be utilized wherever possible. No street within the park may be more than 200 feet without a curve or bend.

If the developer intends to dedicate park streets to the public, such streets must meet municipal standards as contained in § 16.7.12F and § 16.8.11J of this chapter.

No mobile home lot may have vehicular access directly onto a state highway.

A traffic impact analysis is required if the park will generate more than 500 trips/day.

Parking requirements for mobile home park areas follows:

On-street parking is prohibited unless an eight-foot parking lane is provided, in which case on-street parking may be permitted on the side of the road where the parking lane is located.

Open space calculations are as follows:

At least 50% of the required open space must consist of land that is suitable for active recreation.

To the maximum extent possible, undeveloped open space must be left in its natural state. Improvements to make trails for walking and jogging or to make picnic areas are permitted.

Open space must be maintained and used for its approved purposes.

Signs and advertising devices are prohibited in a mobile home park, except:

One identifying sign at each entrance of the mobile home park sized in compliance with § 16.5.16 of this chapter may be installed.

Directional and informational signs for the convenience of tenants and the public relative to parking, office, traffic movement, etc., are permitted.

Mobile/manufactured home for-sale signs, provided that such signs that face a public road may be no more than 10 square feet and limited to two signs per mobile home park.

Mobile/manufactured homes address signs are permitted when in compliance with § 16.5.17 of this chapter.

The styles and location of the identifying sign must not interfere with vehicle sight distance and be constructed in accordance with § 16.5.17D(17) of this chapter.

At least 300 cubic feet of enclosed tenant storage facilities must be conveniently provided on or near each mobile home lot for the storage of materials and equipment.

(19)

(20)

Groundwater requirements for mobile home parks are as contained in § 16.7.11J, which must be complied with for all mobile home park applications.

(21)

(22)

Buffering requirements are as follows:

A fifty-foot-wide buffer strip must be provided along all property boundary lines that:

Abut residential land which has a gross density of less than 1/2 that proposed in the park; or

Abut residential land that is zoned at a density of less than 1/2 that proposed in the park.

Further, no structures, streets or utilities may be placed in the buffer strip, except that they may cross a buffer strip to provide services to the park.

(23)

(24)

§ 16.5.18 Net residential acreage.

[Amended 11-27-2023; 5-13-2024; 12-9-2024; 6-23-2025]

All land located below the highest annual tide elevation as published in the Maine DEP Highest Annual Tide (HAT) levels for the most-current year.

All land located within the floodplain as defined in the definition of "flood, 100-year" in Chapter 16.3.

All land located on filled tidal lands, per the definition of "tidal land, filled" in Chapter 16.3.

All land located within existing rights-of-way and other existing easements for access or utilities wherein dwelling units cannot be built.

All land located within proposed rights-of-way, including parking and travel ways. Driveways are excluded.

All land one acre or more of contiguous area with sustained slopes of 20% or greater.

All land identified as exposed bedrock, and soils with a drainage class of "poorly drained" and/or "very poorly drained" as defined in the definition of "soils" in Chapter 16.3.

50% of all land characterized as drainage class of "somewhat poorly drained," unless public sewer is used, in which case no land area is subtracted.

All land area within a cemetery and burying ground as defined in Chapter 16.3, including associated setback per 13 M.R.S.A. § 1371-A, Limitations on construction and excavation near burial sites.

All land within a Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Uses Overlay Zone or Resource Protection Overlay Zone not included in Subsection B(11) above.

Exemption to net residential acreage.

Any proposed dwelling unit is located outside of any Shoreland, Resource Protection, or Commercial Fisheries Overlay Zone.

Any future lots or units created from the lot shall be required to meet net residential acreage per dwelling unit standards.

Any proposed new lot contain a minimum of 20,000 square feet of upland.

§ 16.5.19 Nonstormwater discharge.

Basis/purpose/objectives.

[Amended 5-8-2023]

Editor's Note: See 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.

The objectives of this article are:

To prohibit unpermitted or unapproved nonstormwater discharges to the storm drainage system; and

To set forth the legal authority and procedures to carry out all inspection, monitoring and enforcement activities necessary to ensure compliance with this section.

Applicability. This section shall apply to all persons discharging stormwater and/or nonstormwater discharge from any premise into the storm drainage system.

Responsibility for administration. The Code Enforcement Officer is the enforcement authority who shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this section.

Prohibition of nonstormwater discharges.

[Amended 5-8-2023]

Discharges specified in writing by the enforcement authority as being necessary to protect public health and safety.

Dye testing, with verbal notification to the enforcement authority prior to the time of the test.

Suspension of access to municipality's storm drainage system.

Enforcement and penalties. See §§ 16.2.7 and 16.2.14.

§ 16.5.20 Outdoor dining.

Applicability.

Outdoor dining, as defined in Chapter § 16.3 of this title, is allowed as follows:

Within the buildable lot area in all zoning districts where restaurants are allowed as either a permitted or a special exception use;

Within the front, side and/or rear yards (setbacks) of the C-1, C-2, C-3, B-L, B-L1, MU, MU-BI, MU-KF and MU-N Zones where such a setback does not abut a residential use; and

Outdoor dining in the public way is permitted subject to Title 5 and all Town requirements.

Any existing restaurant that meets the above requirements may apply for approval for outdoor dining on-site.

New restaurants to be constructed may include outdoor dining plans on-site as part of their site plan review.

Standards.

Outdoor dining on-site must meet all the requirements of the pertinent zone's buffering and screening requirements.

The proposed outdoor dining must not impede a site's internal circulation or its access and egress.

Site plan review submission requirements.

The site plan must be drawn to scale, showing the dimensions of the proposed outdoor dining area, and its location relative to the structure where the restaurant is located.

Calculations demonstrating the number of tables that may be placed within the proposed outdoor dining area according to state and local regulations must be submitted.

§ 16.5.21 Overboard discharge systems.

Permit application.

Notice of hearing.

Notice of decision. The Board of Appeals must notify the applicant, in writing, of its decision no later than 10 days thereafter.

Monitoring.

Fecal coliform (number of colonies per milligram of water);

Biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids (mg/l); and

Settleable solids (mg/l after a twenty-minute settling period in an Imhoff cone).

System construction.

Any actual and direct expenses incurred by the Town in abatement of such nuisance may be recovered from the permit holder and/or property owner by civil complaint.

§ 16.5.22 Piers, wharves, marinas and other uses projecting into water bodies.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

See §16.9.4D(5), Piers, docks, wharves, and other uses projecting into water bodies.

§ 16.5.23 Signs.

[Amended 12-9-2024]

Allowing adequate signage for the effective use of signs as a means of identifying, advertising and communication of land uses;

Establishing the appropriate bounds for location, size, number, type and use of signs to protect traffic safety, preserve property values and to promote visual order and clarity; and

Establishing procedures and regulations for the fair and consistent administration and enforcement of these sign restrictions.

Nonconforming existing signs.

Lawfully nonconforming signs must be made to conform or be removed if any of the following circumstances occur, individually or in combination, for a consecutive three-year time period:

The sign has ceased to be accurate by reason of vacancy or closure of the business which the sign advertises.

The sign face is blank, illegible, obscured, painted over, concealed or otherwise not decipherable.

In no event may the degree of nonconformity of any sign or type of signage on any lot be increased.

General requirements.

No exterior sign may be artificially illuminated except where hooded or shielded or otherwise designed to prevent direct light spilling onto traveled ways or neighboring property.

No sign may contain a moving message board or intermittent illumination, except where necessary in time/temperature/date signs.

Any sign that interferes with or closely imitates any official traffic sign, signal or device is prohibited.

No sign designed to be transported by means of wheels is allowed, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day transportation operations of the business. All trailer signs are prohibited.

Any changeable message signs must be integrated into a permanently-mounted sign. Such a changeable message board is to be mounted a minimum of 3 1/2 feet above ground level.

All signs must be maintained in a safe and sound structural condition.

Advertising. No advertising or signage is permitted on wireless communication services facilities.

Any sign not expressly permitted herein is prohibited.

Sign location.

All signs must be permanently installed on the premises of the activity to which the advertising message refers, except where § 16.5.23H provides otherwise or upon approval by the Town Council.

All signs must be located outside the full width of the right-of-way of any public way, unless authorized by the Town Council.

Signs must not be placed on or above the roof of any building. All signs must be located below the level of the eaves of the portion of building where the sign is to be erected, except as follows:

Signage may be located above the eaves on a gable or dormer of a building, providing it does not extend above or beyond the roofline of the gable or dormer; and

In cases where multiple freestanding signs are permitted, any additional allowed smaller freestanding sign must face and be located along a separate publicly maintained street.

Number of freestanding signs.

Except as otherwise authorized in this section, as well as §§ 16.5.23I and 16.5.23J, each development is prohibited from having more than one freestanding sign.

Multisided signs are considered as one sign; however, the square footage of each sign face is calculated to determine total sign area.

Sign area.

Accessory uses, including home occupations, are allowed sign area no greater than eight square feet.

All other zones.

Where two or more business facilities occupy the same building, lot or development allowable sign area is calculated as follows:

Off-premises signs.

Dimensions: 12 inches by 48 inches.

Coloring: state standard blue background, white lettering, logo may be any color.

Reflectorization: optional.

Location: on existing assemblies (posts) where possible. No more than two assemblies per intersection approach.

Memorial tablets. Grave markers, signs commemorating a historical figure or event, names or dates of buildings to which a sign is attached.

Religious symbols.

Building street numbers. In accordance with the street-numbering map on file with the Town Assessing Department;

Political campaign signs. Signs bearing political messages relating to an election, primary or referendum, provided these signs may be displayed on:

Public property not earlier than 30 days prior to the election, primary or referendum to which they relate and are removed not later than two days thereafter.

Private property without time constraints.

Interior signs. Signs placed inside a building which are located at least 10 feet inside the building or otherwise not oriented to be viewed from outside the building.

Vehicular signs. Signs painted on or affixed to registered motor vehicles or trailers where such signs are clearly incidental to the regular transportation function of the vehicle.

Real estate signs. Any sign advertising real estate for sale, lease or rent, provided:

Each sign does not exceed 12 square feet;

Each sign is located on the property being advertised, except one sign may be located as an off-premises directional sign, provided the sign does not restrict safe sight distances or impair safety;

No more than two signs are erected per property being advertised; and

Each sign is removed within 60 days of transfer of title.

Window signs. Any sign that is placed inside a window and is visible from the exterior of the window, provided such signage covers no more than 50% of the area of any window.

Legally required signs. Any sign required by local, state or federal law with sign area no greater than two square feet or the minimum size required by law, whichever is larger.

Food menu signs. Up to two signs advertising food items for sale on the premises at a legally existing restaurant, fast-food outlet, drive-in restaurant, or snack bar are allowed, provided that:

The total sign area of each such food menu sign on the site must not exceed 32 square feet; and

Such food menu signs must either be building-mounted or comply with the front yard requirements for structures and be located within 75 feet of the restaurant.

Garage sale signs as allowed by § 5.4.9A(2).

Signs relating to goods and services sold on the premises are allowed, provided such signs do not exceed six square feet in area and do not exceed two signs per premises.

Signs relating to goods or services not sold or rendered on the premises are prohibited.

Name signs are allowed, provided such signs do not exceed two signs per premises and do not exceed 12 square feet in the aggregate.

Residential users may display a temporary single sign not over three square feet in area relating to the sale, rental or lease of the premises.

Signs relating to trespassing and hunting are allowed without restriction as to number, provided no such sign exceeds two square feet in area.

Signs relating to public safety are allowed without restriction.

Signs higher than 20 feet above the ground are prohibited.

Signs may be illuminated only by shielded, nonflashing lights.

Sign permit application procedures.

Signs authorized in § 16.5.23J.

Characters, letters and numbers may be changed on approved changeable message signs without a sign permit provided no other change is made to the sign.

Signs may be maintained, cleaned or repainted, provided no change is made to the shape or size of the sign or to the sign area, and provided no new business name is advertised.

A complete sign application submission consists of the following items submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer:

A completed sign permit application form provided by the Town;

An application fee in accordance with a fee schedule established by the Town Council; and

A self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Sign violations and appeal.

A nonconforming sign which is required to conform to the sign regulations per § 16.5.23B must be brought into conformity.

Enforcement of the provisions of this article is in accordance with Chapter 16.2.

Figure 3

Examples of Allowed and Prohibited Sign Placement

These drawings are illustrative and meant to be an aid to the reader; refer to § 16.5.21, for full details.

§ 16.5.24 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 16.5.54, Dwellings in Resource Protection and Shoreland Overlay Zones, was repealed 12-9-2024.

§ 16.5.25 Sprinkler systems.

Requirement.

An approved automatic sprinkler system must be installed in all areas of new buildings meeting any or all of the following criteria:

Three or more stories in height; or

Thirty-six or more feet in height; or

One hundred thousand cubic feet in volume or 10,000 square feet in floor area; or

Multiple-family or multiple-occupant dwelling and/or all lodging units; or

Any single-family attached units, such as garden apartments or townhouse with three or more units attached together; or

All motels, hotels, rooming houses, inns or other structures containing more than two dwelling or living units, hotel or motel rooms.

An approved automatic sprinkler system must be installed in new additions to existing buildings and to the existing building(s) meeting any or all of the following criteria:

When the addition causes the building to become three or more stories in height; or

When the addition causes the building to become 36 or more feet in height; or

When the addition causes the building to become 100,000 cubic feet in volume or 10,000 square feet in area;

Sprinkler system standards.

Any structure requiring the installation of a NFPA Standard 13 system must have a Fire Department connection with location approved by the Fire Chief.

All sprinkler systems installed under this title must have the following:

A tamper-switch alarm at the system shutoff.

An evacuation alarm for the building that will sound when the sprinkler system is activated; such evacuation alarm is to be audible throughout the entire structure.

An outside water-flow alarm.

Butterfly valves will not be allowed on any Standard 13 system.

Local fire alarm panel.

Permit.

Fees and fines.

A sprinkler system permit fee is to be paid with the permit request in such amount as established by Council. The fee for a sprinkler permit is as set out in Appendix A.

§ 16.5.26 Street signage.

Signs provided. Street name signs are to be furnished and installed by the developer; the type, size and location to be approved by the Commissioner of Public Works.

§ 16.5.27 Streets, driveways and associated stormwater management/drainage systems design.

[Amended 10-24-2022; 12-9-2024]

Layout.

Streets are to be designed to discourage through traffic on minor streets within a residential subdivision.

Reserve strips controlling access to streets are prohibited except where control is definitely placed with the municipality.

Any development expected to generate average daily traffic of 201 or more trips per day is to have at least two street connections with existing public street(s).

Entrances onto existing or proposed arterial highways/secondary arterials may not exceed a frequency of one per 1,000 feet of street frontage.

Street classification. Streets are classified by purpose, function and use frequency.

Average daily traffic (ADT) is computed using the latest Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE) codes and figures.

Vehicular access to the development must be arranged to avoid traffic use of local residential streets.

Accessways must be of a design and have sufficient capacity to avoid hazardous queuing of entering vehicles on any street.

Where topographic and other conditions allow, provision must be made for circulation driveway connections to adjoining lots of similar existing or potential use:

When such driveway connection will facilitate fire protection services as approved by the Fire Chief; or

When such driveway will enable the public to travel between two existing or potential uses, generally open to the public, without need to travel upon a street.

Center line. The center line of a roadway must be the center line of the right-of-way.

Dead-end streets.

Where a permanent cul-de-sac is placed in an area, wooded prior to development, a stand of trees must be maintained within the center of the cul-de-sac.

The Board may require the reservation of a twenty-foot easement in line with the street to provide continuation of pedestrian traffic or utilities to the next street.

The Board may also require the reservation of a fifty-foot easement in line with the street to provide for continuation of the road where future development is possible.

Grades, intersections and sight distances.

Grades of all streets are to conform, where feasible, to the terrain, so that cut and fill are minimized while maintaining the grade standards of this title.

Design speed (mph)	20	25	30	35
Stopping sight distance (feet)	125	150	200	250

Posted speed limit (mph)	25	30	35	40	45	50	55
Sight distance (feet)	250	300	350	400	450	500	550

Where necessary, corner lots must be cleared of all growth or other sight obstructions, including ground excavations, to achieve the required visibility.

Cross (four-cornered) intersections are to be avoided insofar as possible.

Side slopes. Side slopes of all streets must be graded, covered with appropriate compost or loamed, fertilized and seeded in accordance with the specifications of the erosion and sedimentation plan.

Right-of-way (ROW) grading. Streets are to be rough-graded full width.

Street construction standards.

Sieve Designation Percent by Weight Passing Square Mesh Sieve
1/4 inch	25% to 70%
No. 40	0% to 30%
No. 200	0% to 7%

Sieve Designation Percent by Weight Passing Square Mesh Sieve
1/2 inch	45% to 70%
1/4 inch	30% to 55%
No. 40	0% to 20%
No. 200	0% to 5%

Sidewalks.

Where required, sidewalks must be installed to meet minimum requirements as specified in Table 1 of this chapter.

The position of any sidewalk within the street ROW in relation to the pavement surface is to be determined by the Planning Board.

Roads, driveways and associated stormwater management/drainage systems, culverts and other such features must be set back:

At least 100 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal high-water line of any water bodies, the upland edge of a coastal wetland, or the upland edge of a freshwater wetland; and

75 feet from the normal high-water line of a tributary stream; and

In the Mixed-Use Badgers Island Zone (MU-BI), 75 feet from the normal high-water line of any water bodies or the upland edge of a coastal wetland.

On slopes of greater than 20%, the road and/or driveway setback must be increased by 10 feet, horizontal distance, for each 5% increase in slope above 20%.

Existing public roads may be expanded within the legal road right-of- way, regardless of their setback from a water body.

The maximum slope for road and driveway grades is 10%, except for segments of less than 200 feet.

Ditch relief culverts, drainage dips and associated water turnouts must be spaced along the road or driveway at intervals no greater than indicated in the following table:

Grade (percent)	Spacing (feet) (maximum)
0% to 2%	250
3% to 5%	135 to 200
6% to 10%	80 to 100
11% to 14% (maximum)	60 to 80

Drainage dips may be used in place of ditch relief culverts only where the grade is 10% or less.

On sections having slopes greater than 10%, ditch relief culverts must be placed at approximately a 30° angle downslope from a line perpendicular to the center line of the road or driveway.

A permit is not required for the replacement of an existing road culvert, provided the replacement culvert is:

Not more than one standard culvert size larger in diameter than the culvert being replaced;

Not more than 25% longer than the culvert being replaced; and

Not longer than 75 feet.

§ 16.5.28 Temporary housing.

Dwellings uninhabitable by disaster. In case a fire or natural disaster destroys, or damages, or renders a dwelling or dwelling unit uninhabitable, the following apply:

The dwelling owner may apply to the CEO for a permit to place a mobile home on the lot as a temporary residence for the dwelling owner for a period of six months;

If at the end of six months substantial work has been completed to the satisfaction of the CEO, the permit may be extended for an additional six months. No further extensions may be granted;

A multifamily dwelling may be temporarily replaced by a single mobile home unit for the use of the dwelling owner only; and

Setback requirements may be waived for temporary mobile homes by the CEO, provided matters of public health and safety are not impaired.

§ 16.5.29 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 16.5.29, Timber harvesting, was repealed 12-9-2024.

§ 16.5.30 Wetland setbacks for special situations.

[Amended 4-11-2022; 10-24-2022; 12-9-2024]

Constructed wetlands and water bodies.

Setbacks are required from all wetlands or water bodies created from upland land area as part of a required mitigation plan.

Wetland setbacks for the base zoning district and the Shoreland Overlay District will apply to wetlands and water bodies described in Subsection B(1) and (3) above.

Setbacks from altered wetlands or water bodies.

Rotted material, muck and unsuitable soils must be removed from the trench and replaced with select materials that provide the required compaction, pipe support and protection.

Trenches for shallow-depth pipes (having less than four feet of cover) must be designed to avoid pipe movement that may result in breakage.

Table 16.5.30 Minimum Setbacks from Wetlands and Water Bodies:
A. Located in a Shoreland or Resource Protection Overlay Zone that do not meet the criteria for a Shoreland-Zoned wetland as defined B. Not within a Shoreland, Resource Protection or Stream Protection Overlay Zone*
	Total Size of Wetland and/or Water Body
Structure/Activity	Less Than 501 Square Feet (feet)	501 Square Feet to 1 Acre and Intermittent Streams (feet)	Greater Than 1 Acre and Wetlands of Special Significance (feet)
Local distribution utility pole, fence, flagpole, signs or drainage structure	0	0	0
Functionally water-dependent uses	0	0	0
Solar energy systems	0	50	100
Drainage structure or stormwater management system outside of the OZ-SL-250, OZ-SL-75, OZ-RP	10	10	10
Drainage structure or stormwater management system outside of the OZ-SL-250, OZ-SL-75, OZ-RP as measured from a Wetland of Special Significance	75	75	100
Roads and Driveways
Traveled way of road or driveway of 18 feet or less in width¹	0	10 from toe of slope	10 from toe of slope
Traveled way of road or driveway greater than 18 feet in width¹	0	30 or 10 from toe of slope, whichever is greater	30 or 10 from toe of slope, whichever is greater
Parking Areas
Parking areas for one- and two-family residential uses	0	10	20
1- to 5-stall parking area	0	30	50
6- to 20-stall parking area incorporating BMPs for stormwater management²	0	40	75
6- to 20-stall parking area without incorporating BMPs for stormwater management²	0	75	100
21-or-more-stall parking area³ incorporating BMPs for stormwater management	0	50	75
Patios, Decks, Accessory Buildings
Patio or deck area no larger than 500 square feet in size	0	30	50
Detached residential storage shed no larger than 120 square feet in size	0	30	50
Other Buildings and Structures
Building or structure (including patio or deck area larger than 500 square feet in size)	0	50	100
Subsurface Sewage Disposal
Treatment tanks and disposal areas for new subsurface sewage disposal systems with design flows of less than 2,000 GPD	0	50	100
Treatment tanks and disposal areas for new subsurface sewage disposal systems with design flows of 2,000	0	100	100
GPD or more
Recreational Uses and Structures
Low-intensity recreation	0	0	0
Recreational facility or structure excluding a golf course	0	50	100
Topsoil Removal
Removal of more than 10 cubic yards of topsoil except for approved projects	0	50	100
Topsoil removal with a soil conservation service-endorsed erosion and sedimentation plan	0	25	25
Special Uses
Junkyard¹	0	100	150
Bulk salt storage not in an enclosed structure¹	0	100	150
Gravel and mineral extraction or processing¹	0	100	150
Storage of hazardous chemicals or special wastes other than amounts normally associated with individual households/farms¹	0	100	150
Commercial painting, wood preserving or furniture stripping¹	0	100	150
Laundromats, auto wash, printing, dry-cleaning, photographic processing, if not connected to a sanitary sewer⁴	0	100	150
Metal plating, finishing, polishing¹	0	100	150

NOTES:
*	All vernal pools, including those having an area less than 501 square feet, are regulated by MDEP 06-096 Chapter 335.9.
1	The street setback does not serve to negate a wetland crossing project for which a wetlands permit has been approved by the Planning Board.
2	Written endorsement by the York County Soil and Water Conservation District (YCSWCD) or the Town's Peer Review Consultant that best management practices (BMPs) for protecting water quality by minimizing pollutants leaving the site in the stormwater runoff are incorporated to the maximum extent practicable is required to satisfy this condition. The Planning Board may waive the requirement for written endorsement by the SWCD or the Town's Peer Review Consultant when it finds a drainage plan has adequately protected the wetland from adverse impacts.
3	Parking areas with 21 or more stalls must incorporate BMPs.
4	Wetland setback may be reduced to 100 feet if the YCSWCD or the Town's Peer Review Consultant finds the stormwater management plan incorporates BMPs for protecting water quality by minimizing pollutants leaving the site in the stormwater.

§ 16.5.31 Wireless communication services facilities.

To avoid or minimize the adverse impacts of such facilities on visual, environmental, historically significant areas, health and safety, and property value;

To require the use of alternative structures for the purposes of co-location of carriers and minimize the total number of towers located within the Town;

To permit the construction of new towers only where all other opportunities have been exhausted;

To require the users of WCSF and antenna structures to configure them in a way that minimizes the need for additional WCSF in the Town;

To provide for the removal of WCSF and associated development which are no longer being used for telecommunications purposes;

These regulations are not intended to place any restrictions on privately operated and licensed amateur radio operators as per FCC regulations.

Location, height and setback requirements.

Setbacks.

All telecommunications towers must be set back from the lot lines a distance equal to at least 125% of the tower height.

Tower, guyed wires and accessory facilities must meet the minimum zoning district setback requirements.

Aesthetics, landscaping, buffers and fencing.

Towers and antennas are to have a neutral finish or be painted a neutral color as approved so as to reduce visual impact.

Towers may not be artificially lighted.

Road access to the telecommunications structure is to be the minimum size necessary to allow safe access.

The base of a telecommunications tower may not be located in wetland, floodplain, Resource Conservation, Shoreland and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.

Co-location.

The construction of any drainage systems involving piping, culverts, or retention or detention facilities;

The construction of erosion and sedimentation control measures or landscaping required to meet the standards of this article; and

Other site improvements required by the Board/Town Planner to meet the standards of this section.

Removal of abandoned or unused facilities.

§ 16.5.32 Marijuana business.

General.

Standards. Marijuana businesses must meet the following standards:

The design of any building containing a marijuana business must conform to the standards within this title and the Town of Kittery Design Handbook.

The area of any marijuana business accessible to customers must be no less than 400 nor more than 2,000 square feet.

Parking must conform to § 16.7.11F, Parking and loading.

Any building containing a marijuana business must be protected by fire suppression measures and fire alarms to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief and in accordance with all applicable building codes.

Security.

The licensed premises must have an approved wastewater discharge plan in accordance with this title and Title 13.

§ 16.5.33 Medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment.

General.

Permit required.

An applicant seeking Planning Board approval for a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment must submit a complete application with the following furnished documents:

Proof of property ownership or lease agreement in the Town of Kittery.

Proof of residency in Town of Kittery as determined by voter registration, vehicle registration or other documentation deemed acceptable to the Town.

All relevant State of Maine license information demonstrating the applicant as a valid registered caregiver.

A site plan that depicts all proposed outdoor growing areas. The Planning Board may require a site plan designed by a licensed surveyor or civil engineer registered in the State of Maine.

A floor plan of the building showing the existing and proposed layout and square footage.

Narrative describing the nature of the registered caregiver operation.

Standards.

Manufacturing of medical marijuana products may occur only in zoning districts where a marijuana manufacturing facility is permitted.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment is permitted only to see patients, provide consultations, and perform other functions, pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A. 558-C § 2423-A.

Hours of operation may be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday inclusive, and must be by appointment only.

A medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment may not have more than three employees.

The installation and displaying of signage advertising the presence of a medical marijuana registered caregiver home establishment on a lot is prohibited.

§ 16.5.34 Solar energy system, ground-mounted.

[Added 4-11-2022]

Purpose.

Review and application classification. The review and approval authority for ground-mounted solar energy systems shall depend on the classification of the project as described below:

Small-scale solar energy system, not to exceed 1,000 square feet and not a special exception use: Code Enforcement Officer.

Small- and medium-scale solar energy system, above 1,000 square feet but not to exceed 5,000 square feet and not a special exception use: Technical Review Committee.

Large-scale solar energy systems: Planning Board.

Applicability and standards.

Applicability.

All solar energy systems shall be designed, erected, and installed in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal codes, regulations and standards.

Any upgrade, modification or structural change that materially alters the size, placement or output of an existing solar energy system shall comply with the provisions of § 16.7.13C.

General standards.

Small-, medium- and large-scale (under 20,000 square feet) solar energy systems shall comply with the following:

Safety. Where permitted, if energy storage systems are located on site as a component of the solar energy system, they shall adhere to the requirements of § 16.5.36, Energy storage systems.

Large-scale solar energy systems (above 20,000 square feet) shall comply with the following:

Glare. Solar panels are designed specifically to absorb only sunlight and are by their very nature less reflective than other varnished or glass exterior housing pieces. Nevertheless, all solar panels shall contain an anti-reflective coating, and a copy of the solar panel's design specification shall be provided, which shall include, at the minimum, data on the amount of glare intended to project from the solar panels. Moreover, the applicant shall submit information on methods used to determine the best location of the solar panels for the purpose of averting the encroachment of solar glare onto abutting properties or roadways to the maximum extent practicable.

Laws, ordinances, and regulations. The construction and operation of ground-mounted solar energy systems in conjunction with their appurtenant structures shall adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and requirements, including but not limited to safety, construction, electrical, and communication requirements in addition to the NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code.

Signage. A sign shall be placed on a large-scale solar energy system to identify the owner and provide a twenty-four-hour emergency contact phone number.

Use type. Large-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems greater than 20,000 square feet shall not be considered as an accessory use.

Additional standards for solar energy systems. In addition to the standards under Subsection B(2), the following standards shall be followed:

Change of ownership, decommissioning, and abandonment of large-scale solar energy systems.

Physical removal of all solar energy systems, structures, equipment, security barriers, and transmission lines from the site.

Disposal of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with local, state and federal waste disposal regulations.

Stabilization or revegetation for the site as necessary to minimize erosion and restore disturbed habitat in accordance with the site's vegetation management plan.

Dimensional standards.

Small- and medium-scale solar energy systems shall comply with the following dimensional standards:

Setbacks. Notwithstanding any other provision in this title to the contrary, the setbacks for ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be as follows:

Minimal front yard.

Residential zones.

There is no other suitable location on the property for the ground-mounted solar energy system.

The front setback is maintained.

[iii]

Commercial, business and mixed-use zones: whatever the front yard setback for the zoning district, but no less than 10 feet.

Minimum rear yard and side yard: whatever the backyard setback for the zoning district, but no less than 10 feet.

Lot coverage. Solar energy systems that have vegetation or pervious materials underneath are exempt from lot coverage standards.

Height.

No taller than 10 feet in height or a height equal to 1/2 the distance to the nearest lot line, to a maximum of 20 feet.

Additional setbacks may be required to mitigate visual and functional impacts.

Large-scale solar energy systems shall comply with the following dimensional standards:

Setbacks. Notwithstanding any other provision in this title to the contrary, the setbacks for large-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be as follows:

Minimal front yard.

There is no other suitable location on the property for the ground-mounted solar energy system.

The front setback is maintained.

Commercial, business and mixed-use zones.

Minimum rear and side yard: 50 feet.

Lot coverage. Solar energy systems that have vegetation or permeable materials underneath are exempt from lot coverage standards.

Height shall not exceed 20 feet in height. In determining, the height of any solar panel from the ground level shall not exceed 20 feet.

Additional setbacks may be required to mitigate visual and functional impacts.

§ 16.5.35 Solar energy system, roof-mounted and building-integrated.

[Added 4-11-2022]

Weight load;

Wind resistance;

Ingress or egress in the event of fire or other emergency; or

Proximity of a ground-mounted system relative to buildings.

General requirements.

Roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend more than 10 feet above the highest point of the roof.

Inspections. Prior to operation, electrical connections must be inspected and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, State of Maine Electrical Inspector, or designee.

§ 16.5.36 Energy storage systems.

[Added 4-11-2022]

Applicability. Energy storage systems are a permitted use in all applicable zones, pursuant to 16.4, Land Use Regulations of the Kittery Town Code.

General requirements.

Mobile energy storage systems shall comply with the provisions of NFPA 855 Standards for the Installation of Stationary Energy Systems, Chapter 4.5.

Inspections. Prior to operation, the following inspections and approvals must occur:

On-site safety inspection by the Fire Chief or designee; and