Mainers building barns, sheds, garages or other outbuildings in unorganized territories will be required to notify the state starting at the end of January.
The accessory structures typically don’t need permits in these areas, but the Land Use Planning Commission announced a new rule Friday requiring property owners to fill out a notification form with the state saying they’ll meet the required standards.
Less restrictive land use regulations in the state’s unorganized territories are a draw for people looking for places to homestead. But the commission said in its announcement that the rule was created to address issues with buildings not complying with required standards, particularly structures that don’t meet setback requirements or are big enough to require a permit.
The new rule is intended to ensure landowners know about the standards and when they need a permit, according to the commission.
Maine cities and towns typically have local zoning ordinances and permitting processes that govern what gets built and where.
In the state’s 10.4 million acres of unorganized territories and plantations, which don’t have local governments, planning, zoning and permitting is done by the land use planning commission. Large areas of Aroostook, Franklin, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington counties are unorganized, along with parts of Penobscot and Oxford counties and some coastal islands.
In these areas, accessory structures built without permits are supposed to be less than 750 square feet. In a two-year period, the owner can’t expand that footprint by more than 750 feet.
For setbacks, the commission requires structures to be 100 feet from lakes or rivers, 75 feet from other water features or wetlands, and 15 feet from property lines, along with some other restrictions that vary by area.
Turning the structure into a finished living space also requires a permit.
The commission separately announced Friday that it’s updated the standards for outside lighting on building projects that need permits. They hadn’t been updated in 20 years, according to the commission, and the changes reflect new lighting technology.
Both changes go into effect Jan. 29.
