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As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).]
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1. Densely developed area. "Densely developed area" means any commercial, industrial or compact residential area of 10 or more acres with an existing
density of at least one principal structure per 2 acres.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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2. Dwelling unit. "Dwelling unit" means any part of a structure which, through sale or lease, is intended for human habitation, including
single-family and multifamily housing, condominiums, apartments and time-share units.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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2-A. Freshwater wetland. "Freshwater wetland" means freshwater swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas which are:
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A. Inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and for a duration sufficient to support, and which under
normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of wetland vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils; and
[1989, c. 404, §1 (new).] |
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B. Not considered part of a great pond, coastal wetland, river, stream or brook.
[1989, c. 404, §1 (new).] |
These areas may contain small stream channels or inclusions of land that do not conform to the criteria of this subsection.
[1989, c. 404, §1 (new).] |
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3. Principal structure. "Principal structure" means any building or structure in which the main use of the premises takes place.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new); c. 497, §1 (rpr).] |
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4. Subdivision. "Subdivision" means the division of a tract or parcel of land into 3 or more lots within any 5-year period that begins on
or after September 23, 1971. This definition applies whether the division is accomplished by sale, lease, development, buildings
or otherwise. The term "subdivision" also includes the division of a new structure or structures on a tract or parcel of
land into 3 or more dwelling units within a 5-year period, the construction or placement of 3 or more dwelling units on a
single tract or parcel of land and the division of an existing structure or structures previously used for commercial or industrial
use into 3 or more dwelling units within a 5-year period.
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A. In determining whether a tract or parcel of land is divided into 3 or more lots, the first dividing of the tract or parcel
is considered to create the first 2 lots and the next dividing of either of these first 2 lots, by whomever accomplished,
is considered to create a 3rd lot, unless:
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(1) Both dividings are accomplished by a subdivider who has retained one of the lots for the subdivider's own use as a single-family
residence that has been the subdivider's principal residence for a period of at least 5 years immediately preceding the 2nd
division; or
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(2) The division of the tract or parcel is otherwise exempt under this subchapter.
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[2001, c. 359, §1 (amd); §8 (aff).] |
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B. The dividing of a tract or parcel of land and the lot or lots so made, which dividing or lots when made are not subject
to this subchapter, do not become subject to this subchapter by the subsequent dividing of that tract or parcel of land or
any portion of that tract or parcel. The municipal reviewing authority shall consider the existence of the previously created
lot or lots in reviewing a proposed subdivision created by a subsequent dividing.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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C. A lot of 40 or more acres shall not be counted as a lot, except:
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(1) When the lot or parcel from which it was divided is located entirely or partially within any shoreland area as defined
in Title 38, section 435, or a municipality's shoreland zoning ordinance; or
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(2) When a municipality has, by ordinance, or the municipal reviewing authority has, by regulation, elected to count lots
of 40 or more acres as lots for the purposes of this subchapter when the parcel of land being divided is located entirely
outside any shoreland area as defined in Title 38, section 435, or a municipality's shoreland zoning ordinance.
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[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new); c. 326, §1 (amd).] |
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D.
[2001, c. 359, §2 (rp); §8 (aff).] |
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D-1. A division accomplished by devise does not create a lot or lots for the purposes of this definition, unless the intent of
the transferor is to avoid the objectives of this subchapter.
[2001, c. 359, §3 (new); §8 (aff).] |
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D-2. A division accomplished by condemnation does not create a lot or lots for the purposes of this definition, unless the intent
of the transferor is to avoid the objectives of this subchapter.
[2001, c. 359, §3 (new); §8 (aff).] |
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D-3. A division accomplished by order of court does not create a lot or lots for the purposes of this definition, unless the
intent of the transferor is to avoid the objectives of this subchapter.
[2001, c. 359, §3 (new); §8 (aff).] |
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D-4. A division accomplished by gift to a person related to the donor of an interest in property held by the donor for a continuous
period of 5 years prior to the division by gift does not create a lot or lots for the purposes of this definition, unless
the intent of the transferor is to avoid the objectives of this subchapter. If the real estate exempt under this paragraph
is transferred within 5 years to another person not related to the donor of the exempt real estate as provided in this paragraph,
then the previously exempt division creates a lot or lots for the purposes of this subsection. "Person related to the donor"
means a spouse, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild related by blood, marriage or adoption. A gift
under this paragraph can not be given for consideration that is more than 1/2 the assessed value of the real estate.
[2001, c. 359, §3 (new); §8 (aff).] |
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D-5. A division accomplished by a gift to a municipality if that municipality accepts the gift does not create a lot or lots
for the purposes of this definition, unless the intent of the transferor is to avoid the objectives of this subchapter.
[2001, c. 359, §3 (new); §8 (aff).] |
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D-6. A division accomplished by the transfer of any interest in land to the owners of land abutting that land that does not create
a separate lot does not create a lot or lots for the purposes of this definition, unless the intent of the transferor is to
avoid the objectives of this subchapter. If the real estate exempt under this paragraph is transferred within 5 years to
another person without all of the merged land, then the previously exempt division creates a lot or lots for the purposes
of this subsection.
[2001, c. 359, §3 (new); §8 (aff).] |
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E. The division of a tract or parcel of land into 3 or more lots and upon each of which lots permanent dwelling structures
legally existed before September 23, 1971 is not a subdivision.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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F. In determining the number of dwelling units in a structure, the provisions of this subsection regarding the determination
of the number of lots apply, including exemptions from the definition of a subdivision of land.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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G. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, leased dwelling units are not subject to subdivision review if the municipal
reviewing authority has determined that the units are otherwise subject to municipal review at least as stringent as that
required under this subchapter.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new); c. 497, §2 (amd).] |
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H. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 10/1/02) Nothing in this subchapter may be construed to prevent a municipality from enacting an ordinance
under its home rule authority that:
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(1) Expands the definition of subdivision to include the division of a structure for commercial or industrial use; or
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(2) Otherwise regulates land use activities.
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A municipality may not enact an ordinance that expands the definition of subdivision except as provided in this subchapter.
This paragraph is repealed October 1, 2002.
[2001, c. 359, §4 (rpr); §8 (aff).] |
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H. (TEXT REPEALED 10/1/02)
[T. 30-A, §4401, sub-§4, paragraph H (rp).] |
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I. The grant of a bona fide security interest in an entire lot that has been exempted from the definition of subdivision under
paragraphs D-1 to D-6, or subsequent transfer of that entire lot by the original holder of the security interest or that person's
successor in interest, does not create a lot for the purposes of this definition, unless the intent of the transferor is to
avoid the objectives of this subchapter.
[2001, c. 359, §5 (amd); §8 (aff).] |
[2001, c. 359, §§1-5 (amd); §8 (aff).] |
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5. New structure or structures. "New structure or structures" includes any structure for which construction begins on or after September 23, 1988. The
area included in the expansion of an existing structure is deemed to be a new structure for the purposes of this subchapter.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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6. Tract or parcel of land. "Tract or parcel of land" means all contiguous land in the same ownership, provided that lands located on opposite sides
of a public or private road are considered each a separate tract or parcel of land unless the road was established by the
owner of land on both sides of the road.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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7. Outstanding river segments. In accordance with Title 12, section 402, "outstanding river segments" means:
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A. The Aroostook River from the Canadian border to the Masardis and T.10, R.6, W.E.L.S. town line, excluding the segment in
T.9, R.5, W.E.L.S.;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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B. The Carrabassett River from the Kennebec River to the Carrabassett Valley and Mt. Abram Township town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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C. The Crooked River from its inlet into Sebago Lake to the Waterford and Albany Township town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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D. The Damariscotta River from the Route 1 bridge in Damariscotta to the dam at Damariscotta Mills;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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E. The Dennys River from the Route 1 bridge to the outlet of Meddybemps Lake, excluding the western shore in Edmunds Township
and No. 14 Plantation;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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F. The East Machias River, including the Maine River, from 1/4 of a mile above the Route 1 bridge to the East Machias and T.18,
E.D., B.P.P. town line, from the T.19, E.D., B.P.P. and Wesley town line to the outlet of Crawford Lake, and from the No.
21 Plantation and Alexander town line to the outlet of Pocomoonshine Lake, excluding Hadley Lake, Lower Mud Pond and Upper
Mud Pond;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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G. The Fish River from the bridge at Fort Kent Mills to the Fort Kent and Wallagrass Plantation town line, from the T.16, R.6,
W.E.L.S. and Eagle Lake town line to the Eagle Lake and Winterville Plantation town line, and from the T.14, R.6, W.E.L.S.
and Portage Lake town line to the Portage Lake and T.13, R.7, W.E.L.S. town line, excluding Portage Lake;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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H. The Kennebago River from its inlet into Cupsuptic Lake to the Rangeley and Lower Cupsuptic Township town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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I. The Kennebec River from Thorns Head Narrows in North Bath to the Edwards Dam in Augusta, excluding Perkins Township, and
from the Route 148 bridge in Madison to the Caratunk and The Forks Plantation town line, excluding the western shore in Concord
Township, Pleasant Ridge Plantation and Carrying Place Township and excluding Wyman Lake;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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J. The Machias River from the Route 1 bridge to the Northfield and T.19, M.D., B.P.P. town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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K. The Mattawamkeag River from the Penobscot River to the Mattawamkeag and Kingman Township town line, and from the Reed Plantation
and Bancroft town line to the East Branch in Haynesville;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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L. The Narraguagus River from the ice dam above the railroad bridge in Cherryfield to the Beddington and Devereaux Township
town lines, excluding Beddington Lake;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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M. The Penobscot River, including the Eastern Channel, from Sandy Point in Stockton Springs to the Veazie Dam and its tributary
the East Branch of the Penobscot from the Penobscot River to the East Millinocket and Grindstone Township town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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N. The Piscataquis River from the Penobscot River to the Monson and Blanchard Plantation town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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O. The Pleasant River from the bridge in Addison to the Columbia and T.18, M.D., B.P.P. town line, and from the T.24, M.D.,
B.P.P. and Beddington town line to the outlet of Pleasant River Lake;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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P. The Rapid River from the Magalloway Plantation and Upton town line to the outlet of Pond in the River;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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Q. The Saco River from the Little Ossipee River to the New Hampshire border;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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R. The St." Headnote=" Croix River from the Route 1 bridge in Calais to the Calais and Baring Plantation town line, from the
Baring Plantation and Baileyville town line to the Baileyville and Fowler Township town line, and from the Lambert Lake Township
and Vanceboro town line to the outlet of Spednik Lake, excluding Woodland Lake and Grand Falls Flowage;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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S. The St." Headnote=" George River from the Route 1 bridge in Thomaston to the outlet of Lake St. George in Liberty, excluding
White Oak Pond, Seven Tree Pond, Round Pond, Sennebec Pond, Trues Pond, Stevens Pond and Little Pond;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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T. The St." Headnote=" John River from the Van Buren and Hamlin Plantation town line to the Fort Kent and St. John Plantation
town line, and from the St. John Plantation and St. Francis town line to the Allagash and St. Francis town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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U. The Sandy River from the Kennebec River to the Madrid and Township E town line;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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V. The Sheepscot River from the railroad bridge in Wiscasset to the Halldale Road in Montville, excluding Long Pond and Sheepscot
Pond, including its tributary the West Branch of the Sheepscot from its confluence with the Sheepscot River in Whitefield
to the outlet of Branch Pond in China;
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new).] |
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W. The West Branch of the Pleasant River from the East Branch in Brownville to the Brownville and Williamsburg Township town
line; and
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new); c. 497, §3 (amd).] |
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X. The West Branch of the Union River from the Route 181 bridge in Mariaville to the outlet of Great Pond in the Town of Great
Pond.
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new); c. 497, §3 (amd).] |
[1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §45 and Pt. C, §10 (new); c. 497, §3 (amd).] |
Section History:
| PL 1989, |
Ch. 104, |
§A45,C10
(NEW).
|
| PL 1989, |
Ch. 326, |
§1
(AMD).
|
| PL 1989, |
Ch. 404, |
§1
(AMD).
|
| PL 1989, |
Ch. 497, |
§1-3
(AMD).
|
| PL 1989, |
Ch. 772, |
§2
(AMD).
|
| PL 1991, |
Ch. 500, |
§1,2
(AMD).
|
| PL 2001, |
Ch. 359, |
§1-5
(AMD).
|
| PL 2001, |
Ch. 359, |
§8
(AFF).
|
|