Rules and Regulations

This page provides information about rules administered by the Maine Forest Service. 

Please note that all timber harvesting and related activities must also comply with any applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and ordinances. 

It is your responsibility, as landowner, Licensed Forester, or logger, to know and understand what rules, including municipal ordinances, apply to your timber harvesting and related activities.

Maine Forest Service strongly recommends that you:

1. check with the town or municipality about any local ordinances that may apply to your activity.
2. are familiar with ALL rules that apply to your activity BEFORE you begin your activities.
3. plan your harvest well in advance!

If you have questions about the rules listed here, please contact your District Forester.

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Timber Harvesting

Forest Practices Act

• Forest Practices Act (law)
• Chapter 20 Rule, Forest Regeneration and Clearcutting Standards (PDF) (Effective on May 1, 2014)
• Public Law, Chapter 532, LD 1741, An Act To Streamline the Paperwork Requirements of the State's Forest Practices Laws (PDF)
• Maine Forest Service Interpretations of the Maine Forest Practices Act Statute and Rules (UPDATED APRIL 6, 2011)
• Petition for Variance
• Chapter 20 Rules Harvest Plan Requirements for Category 2 and Category 3 Clearcuts (PDF)

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Forest Operations Notification Standards

• Public Law, Chapter 532, LD 1741, An Act To Streamline the Paperwork Requirements of the State's Forest Practices Laws (PDF)
• Chapter 26 Rule, Forest Operations Notification Standards (PDF)
• More Information on Forest Operations Notifications | Download FONS Maps

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Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas

As of January 1, 2013 organized towns that have decided to adopt statewide standards for timber harvesting and related activities in shoreland areas have had statewide standards go into effect. 

Towns that have either elected to retain their old shoreland zoning ordinance for timber harvesting or not taken action on statewide standards will continue under their old shoreland zoning rules until they take action.

Areas under the administration of the Land Use Planning Commission (formerly known as LURC) will also continue under current rules for the time being (see MFS Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State). 

• Chapter 21 Rule, Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF) – effective January 1, 2016
• Maine Forest Service Interpretations of the Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF)
• Basis Statement MFS Rule - Chapter 21 Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF) – 2015 amendments
• Basis Statement MFS Rule - Chapter 21 Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF)
• Petition for Variance

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Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State

• Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State (PDF)
• Basis Statement MFS Rules - Chapter 27 Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State (PDF)
• Maine Forest Service Interpretations - Chapter 27 Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities Within the Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State (PDF)
• Chapter 27 Application Forms

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Stop Work Order

• Chapter 30 Rule, Prior Approval Process and Stop Work Orders (PDF)
• Public Law 2013, Chapter 412, An Act Relating to the Unlawful Cutting of Trees (PDF)
• Chapter 30 Rule, Basis Statement (PDF)

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Timber Trespass and Timber Theft

• Information on Timber Trespass and Timber Theft

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Fee Schedule

• Chapter 29 Rule, Fee Schedule (PDF)

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Standards for Placing Wood into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat

• Chapter 25 Rule, Standards for Placing Wood Into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat (PDF)
• Basis Statement MFS Rule Chapter 25 Rule Standards for Placing Wood into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat (PDF)

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Liquidation Harvesting

• Chapter 23 Rule, Timber Harvesting Standards to Substantially Eliminate Liquidation Harvesting (PDF)
• Maine Forest Service Interpretations of MFS Rule – Chapter 23 Timber Harvest Standards to Substantially Eliminate Liquidation Harvesting (PDF)

Public Law 2003, Chapter 422 (LD 1616), An Act to Promote Stewardship of Forest Resources

• Part A
• Part B

Liquidation Timber Harvest Plan Guide (PDF)

Sample Subdivision Review Process for New Criterion #20 for Municipal Planning Boards

File Format: (PDF) | (Word)
Dated: April 10, 2008

Petition for Variance

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Maine DEP Exemption Letter for Certified Erosion Control Forestry Contractors (PDF)

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Fire Safety

• Chapter 2 Rule, Spark Arrestors (Word)
• Open Burning Guidelines (PDF)

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Forest Health

• Chapter 1 Rule, White Pine Blister Rust, Quarantine on Currant and Gooseberry (Word)
• Chapter 4 Rule, Silvicultural Treatment Designation and New Market Withdrawal (Word)
• Emergency Order Restricting Transportation of Firewood Into the State of Maine
• Also see information on Forestry Quarantines

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Boundary Paint Marking Standards

• Chapter 24, Boundary Paint Marking Standards (Word)
• PL c 432 Boundary Paint Law (PDF)
• Boundary Paint Marking Standards Chapter 24 Rules Basis Statement (PDF)

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Additional Information on Rules and Regulations from our Be Woods Wise website

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Rules and Regulations from Other State of Maine Agencies

For activities entering a state or state aid highway

If your activity will be entering a state or state aid highway, a MaineDOT Permit By Rule for Forest Management is required .

For constructing a roundwood and lumber storage yard

If you are planning on constructing a roundwood and lumber storage yard you should review the Site Location of Development (Site Law) requirements. A Notice of Intent to Comply: Roundwood & Lumber Storage Yards (PDF) might be required