Dock, pier and float rules in Auburn, Maine
This page covers only Lake Auburn. There, a private dock is allowed within the 100-foot shoreline setback because it needs direct water access, but boathouses, sheds and marinas aren't. We couldn't review Auburn's dock or shoreland rules for the Androscoggin River, Taylor Pond or other waters, so check with the Planning office; a permanent dock usually also needs a state DEP permit.
| Private docks on Lake Auburn | Exempt from the 100-ft setback (operational necessity) [1] |
| Boathouses, sheds, garages | Must be 100 ft from Lake Auburn's high-water mark [1] |
| Marinas and boat rentals | Not allowed within 100 ft of Lake Auburn [2] |
| Flood hazard areas | City flood hazard development permit needed [4] |
What this page covers
This page covers only Lake Auburn, under the Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay rules the City Council adopted on December 2, 2024 (Ord. 21-11182024) [5]. It doesn't cover docks on the Androscoggin River, Taylor Pond or other waters.
Lake Auburn
Auburn's Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay requires new or expanded structures to be at least 100 feet from the lake's normal high-water mark. Structures that need direct access to the water as an operational necessity are the exception, and the ordinance says that includes private docks. Boathouses, storage sheds, garages and other structures don't qualify, so they must stay 100 feet back [1]. Marinas and boat rental facilities aren't allowed within 100 feet of the lake [2]. Where this overlay conflicts with other parts of the zoning code, the stricter standard applies [3]. The city text we reviewed sets no dock size limit and doesn't say whether a city permit is needed for a private dock on Lake Auburn. Ask the Planning office before you install one.
Other waters
Auburn's general shoreland rules for the Androscoggin River, Taylor Pond and other waters are in Article XII of the zoning ordinance. That article is published only on Municode, and we couldn't download it. We found no separate harbor, waterfront or dock ordinance. So we can't tell you the city's dock rules outside the Lake Auburn overlay. If the dock site is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, a city flood hazard development permit is required before development [4].
State permits
Maine's rules apply on top of the city's. A permanent dock (in place more than 7 months a year) on a great pond or river generally needs a DEP permit. State shoreland standards limit dock width and number, and structures on state-owned lake bottom may need a submerged lands lease.
See how Auburn compares with 8+ other Maine towns on docks, piers & floats →
Next steps
- Contact the Planning, Permitting & Code Department at Auburn Hall, 60 Court Street (207-333-6601) to ask what city approval your dock needs and whether your shoreline is in a flood hazard area.
- If the dock will stay in more than 7 months a year, apply to Maine DEP for a Natural Resources Protection Act permit.
- Keep any boathouse or storage shed at least 100 ft from Lake Auburn's normal high-water mark.
Common questions
- Can I put a dock on Lake Auburn in Auburn, Maine?
- Yes. A private dock is allowed within Lake Auburn's 100-foot shoreline setback because it needs direct water access, but the city text we reviewed sets no dock size limit and doesn't say whether a city permit is needed. Ask the Planning office before you install one.
- Can I build a boathouse on Lake Auburn in Auburn, Maine?
- No, not within 100 feet. Boathouses, storage sheds and garages don't qualify for the dock exception and must be at least 100 feet from Lake Auburn's normal high-water mark. Marinas and boat rentals aren't allowed within 100 feet of the lake.
- What are the dock rules on the Androscoggin River in Auburn, Maine?
- We couldn't review them. Auburn's shoreland rules for the Androscoggin River, Taylor Pond and other waters are in a part of the zoning ordinance we couldn't download, and we found no separate dock ordinance. Check with the Planning office; a flood hazard development permit is needed in a flood hazard area.
- Do I need a state permit for a dock in Auburn, Maine?
- Usually, for a permanent dock. A dock in place more than 7 months a year on a great pond or river generally needs a Maine DEP permit, on top of any city approval.
State and federal rules for docks and piers
DEP permit (Natural Resources Protection Act): Building, repairing or altering a permanent structure in, on or over a great pond, river, stream or coastal wetland needs a DEP permit. "Permanent" means the structure stays in place more than 7 months in any 12-month period. A seasonal dock that comes out each year generally isn't a permanent structure.
State shoreland minimums (your town's ordinance applies these):
- Only one pier, dock or wharf per lot, unless the lot has at least twice the minimum shore frontage.
- A temporary, non-commercial dock on fresh water can be no wider than 6 ft.
- A new permanent dock on fresh water is allowed only if a temporary dock isn't feasible and DEP has issued a permit.
- No living space on or attached to a dock.
State-owned bottom: Below the low-water mark in tidal waters and in great ponds, the bottom belongs to the state. Permanent structures of any size, and large temporary ones, need a lease or easement from the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Non-permanent structures under 500 sq ft don't need one.
Federal and harbor rules: In tidal waters, docks and floats also need U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval. Moorings are handled by your town's harbormaster under local ordinance (38 M.R.S. §7).
What the ordinance says
- Ord. 21-11182024, Sec. 60-953 Dimensional regulations; building setbacks (Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay District), City Council Ordinances adopted in 2024 (compilation) - incl. Ord. 21-11182024 Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay text/map amendments and Ord. 23-12022024 LD 2003 housing/ADU amendments, p. 71
Any new or expanded buildings or structures, except those requiring direct access to the water as an operational necessity, shall be constructed not less than 100 feet inland from the normal high-water mark of Lake Auburn. Operational necessity shall include private docks, but shall not include boathouses, storage sheds, garages, or other structures.
- Ord. 21-11182024, Sec. 60-953, City Council Ordinances adopted in 2024 (compilation) - incl. Ord. 21-11182024 Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay text/map amendments and Ord. 23-12022024 LD 2003 housing/ADU amendments, p. 71
Marinas and boat rental facilities shall not be permitted within 100 feet of the normal high-water mark of Lake Auburn.
- Ord. 21-11182024, Sec. 60-954 Conflicts, City Council Ordinances adopted in 2024 (compilation) - incl. Ord. 21-11182024 Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay text/map amendments and Ord. 23-12022024 LD 2003 housing/ADU amendments, p. 71
In any case in which a provision of this section conflicts with a provision of any other section of this chapter, the provision which establishes the more stringent standard shall apply.
- Floodplain and Watershed page, Floodplain Info, Floodplain and Watershed page (Floodplain Overlay, Taylor Pond and Lake Auburn Watershed Overlays, septic inspection program)
Before any construction or other development (as defined in Section 60-893 ), including the placement of manufactured homes, begins within any areas of special flood hazard established in section 60-892 , a flood hazard development permit shall be obtained from the planning and development department.
- Ord. 21-11182024 (Division 4 Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay District text/map amendments), adoption record, City Council Ordinances adopted in 2024 (compilation) - incl. Ord. 21-11182024 Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay text/map amendments and Ord. 23-12022024 LD 2003 housing/ADU amendments, p. 60
Passed second reading/public hearing 7-0, 12/2/24.