Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Maine Revised Statutes Title 30-A. Municipalities and Counties § 4364-E. Residential units in areas zoned for commercial use

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

A municipality shall allow residential units within buildings located in an area zoned for commercial use, including, but not limited to, buildings that are vacant or partially vacant retail property, except when a municipality determines that flooding or other natural hazards in the zone makes a building located in an area zoned for commercial use unfit for residential use. For purposes of this section, “commercial use” means the use of lands, buildings or structures the intent or result of which is the production of income from the buying or selling of goods or services. “Commercial use” does not include a home-based business, the rental of a single dwelling unit on a single lot or incidental sales of goods or services as may be allowed by permit or standard.

1. Allowable limitation on residential units in areas zoned for commercial use. An ordinance adopted by a municipality that regulates the establishment of residential units in an area zoned for commercial use may establish standards that limit the number of residential units in a commercial development.

2. Allowable requirement for commercial use on ground floor. An ordinance adopted by a municipality that regulates the establishment of residential units in an area zoned for commercial use may require the ground floor of a building containing residential units to be restricted for commercial use.

3. Allowable siting and design requirements for residential units in areas zoned for commercial use. A municipality may adopt an ordinance regulating the siting and design of a residential or mixed-use development established in an area zoned for commercial use as long as the ordinance, alone or in combination with other siting and design ordinances, does not discourage the development through unreasonable costs or delays.

4. Prohibited limitations on residential development. An ordinance adopted by a municipality that regulates residential development in an area zoned for commercial use may not contain restrictions or limitations more stringent than the restrictions or limitations contained in section 4364, 4364-A or 4364-B.

5. Health and safety requirements. This section is not intended to reduce or change health or safety requirements applicable to residential units located in a municipality.

6. Rulemaking. The state agency responsible for administering the Housing Opportunity Program established in Title 5, section 13056-J may adopt rules to administer and enforce this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

7. Implementation. A municipality must comply with the requirements of this section beginning July 1, 2027.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maine Revised Statutes Title 30-A. Municipalities and Counties § 4364-E. Residential units in areas zoned for commercial use - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/me/title-30-a-municipalities-and-counties/me-rev-st-tit-30-a-sect-4364-e/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard