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REFERENCE
MATERIALS
[Statute] [Comprehensive Land Use Plan] [Zoning Maps] [Rules and Regulations] [Resource Protection Plans] [Guidance Documents]
The following documents define the mission, authority, and standing of the Commission and set rules and guidance for planning, permitting and compliance within LURC jurisdiction. A full understanding of the Commission's powers, duties, policies and rules and regulations can be achieved by referring to all of the Commission's documents.
Many
of these documents are available for downloading in Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF). If you cannot open these files, go to
www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html to download free Adobe Reader®
software for viewing and printing PDF files. All
of the Commission's reference materials and other publications are also available
by postal mail from our main office in Augusta
or from any of the Commission's regional offices.
The LURC statute is the land use law that created the Maine Land Use Regulation and identified the mission of the agency. The LURC statute is entitled: 12 M.R.S.A. §206-A LAND USE REGULATION.
The LURC statute requires that the Commission operate under a comprehensive land use plan whose purpose is to guide the Commission in developing specific land use standards, creating zoning boundaries and guiding development.The Commission's plan is entitled: COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN FOR THE PLANTATIONS AND UNORGANIZED TOWNSHIPS OF THE STATE OF MAINE.
The Plan was originally adopted in 1976 and subsequently revised in 1983, 1990, and 1997. The Plan was also amended in 2001 in order to create a land use plan developed for a subregion of the jurisdiction (the Rangeley area). The amendment to the Plan is officially entitled: PROSPECTIVE ZONING PLAN FOR THE RANGELEY LAKES REGION: AN AMENDMENT TO THE MAINE LAND USE REGULATION COMMISSIONS COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN.
The Commission has begun work on revising its Comprehensive Land Use Plan in anticipation of a new version of the plan in 2007. For more information or to get involved with this project, follow this link.
In accordance with its enabling statute, the Commission has established zoning districts to protect important resources and prevent conflicts between incompatible uses. These zoning districts identify what types of activities are appropriate and allowed in each zone.
Follow this link to download reduced size (11" x 17" tabloid) unofficial zoning maps for each of the 450+ townships, plantations and towns within the Commission's jurisdiction in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
Visit LURC's zoning and parcel viewer, an interactive online mapping application where you can select land parcels in the Commission's jurisdiction and view their associated zoning districts. You can also create a parcel report which contains a local map and a listing of all zones that the parcel intersects.
The LURC statute also authorizes the Commission to adopt rules in order to interpret and carry out the requirements outlined in the statute. These rules are known as the Commission's Rules and Regulations and consist of the following chapters:
Chapter 1. General Provisions (PDF, 55 KB)
Chapter 2. Interim Land Use Districts and Standards (largely replaced by Chapter 10)
Chapter 3. Delegation of Authority to Staff (PDF, 37 KB)
Chapter 4. Rules of Practice (PDF, 56 KB)
Chapter 5. Rules for the Conduct of Public Hearings (PDF, 156 KB)
Chapter 6. Repealed
Chapter 7. Repealed
Chapter 8. Repealed
Chapter 9. Repealed
Chapter 10. Land Use Districts and Standards
Chapter 11. Administrative Regulation for Hydropower Projects (PDF, 56 KB)
Chapter 12. Requirements for Metallic Mineral Mining & Level C Mineral Exploration (PDF, 66 KB)
Chapter 13. Rules for Metallic Mineral Exploration, Advanced Exploration and Mining (PDF, 604 KB)
Chapter 14. Reserved
Chapter 15. Guidelines for Private Roads or Ways (PDF, 44 KB)
Chapter 16. Rules Relating to Large Lot Land Divisions (PDF, 33 KB)
Chapter 17. Reestablishment of Commission Jurisdiction (PDF, 45KB)
Under the Commission's regulatory framework, a landowner may submit a petition to rezone land to the Resource Plan Protection (P-RP) subdistrict. The purpose of the P-RP subdistrict is to provide for a way to more efficiently and effectively manage protection subdistricts (and in some cases adjoining management subdistricts). Lake concept plans are also included within the P-RP subdistrict. Such plans are a flexible alternative to traditional shoreland regulation in that they allow landowners to create long-range plans for the development and conservation of large blocks of land on a lake or group of lakes. For a complete list of resource protection plans (P-RP subdistricts) approved by the Commission, follow this link.
The documents below are provided to inform the general public about the Commission and its various programs. The documents also serve to guide the public as well as the Commission's staff in interpreting some of the Commission's rules and regulations. These documents may not be relied upon to create rights, substantive or procedural. The Commission reserves the right to act in accordance with its statute, including in a manner that varies from these documents. Nothing in these documents shall be construed to supersede or replace the rules and regulations administered by the Commission, including the Commission's Land Use Districts and Standards (Chapter 10) and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Affordable Housing - This document was created to provide guidance concerning affordable housing opportunities within its jurisdiction. (Published April 19, 2007)
Guidelines for Selection of Easement Holders - Provides ways to determine the acceptability of a proposed holder of a conservation easement (Published November 22, 2004)
Approval Process for Energy Generation and Transmission Projects - Explains the regulatory process for siting various energy projects such as wind generation and transmission lines (Published April 14, 2004)
Clarifying the Rezoning Criterion of 'Demonstrated Need' - Describes ways of meeting the Commission's rezoning criterion of 'demonstrated need in the community or area' (Published April 1, 2004)
Wetland Compensation Guidelines - Outlines requirements for wetland compensation plans for projects that cause the loss of wetland functions and values (Published February 26, 1998)
Commission Guidance on Receiving Public Comment - Guidelines for Commissioners and staff on ways to gather public comment fairly and effectively (Published October 16, 1996)
Compliance and Enforcement Response Policy - Summarizes the Commission's policy for administering and developing penalties for land use violations (Published March 1, 1992)
