Dock, pier and float rules in Ogunquit, Maine
Possibly. In Ogunquit's shoreland districts, a pier, dock, wharf or float (temporary or permanent) needs Planning Board site plan review, and you're limited to one per lot unless you have at least twice the minimum shore frontage. Docks aren't permitted at all in the SG3 (Ogunquit Playhouse) district, and permanent structures also need a state DEP permit and possibly an Army Corps permit.
| Town approval | Planning Board site plan review (SLR, SLC, SG1, SG2, SP, RP) [1] |
| Not permitted | SG3 (Ogunquit Playhouse) district [10] |
| Number per lot | 1 (a second only with at least twice the minimum shore frontage) [3] |
| Max width, temporary noncommercial dock in non-tidal water | 6 feet [4] |
| New permanent docks on non-tidal water | Only if a temporary dock isn't feasible and DEP has issued a permit [5] |
| Height of structures on a dock | 20 feet above the dock [7] |
| State/federal permits | DEP permit for permanent structures; possibly Army Corps of Engineers [8] |
Source date
This answer relies on the town-posted December 2020 PDF of Chapter 225 (Zoning), with amendments through 2019. The current codified version could not be downloaded, so later amendments may have changed these rules.
Town approval
Table 702.1 lists piers, docks, wharves, bridges and other structures over or below the high-water line or in a wetland, temporary or permanent, as needing Planning Board site plan review [1][2]. That applies in the Shoreland Limited Residential, Shoreland Limited Commercial, SG1 (Ogunquit Beach), SG2 (Perkins Cove), Stream Protection and Resource Protection districts. In SG3, no docks or similar structures are allowed except the existing Josias River footbridge [10].
Standards (§225-9.15C)
- One pier, dock or wharf per lot. A second is allowed only if the lot has at least twice the minimum shore frontage in Table 703.1, and only as long as the lot isn't divided [3].
- The dock can be no larger than needed for its use. A temporary noncommercial dock in non-tidal water can be at most six feet wide [4].
- It can't interfere with developed or natural beach areas and must minimize harm to fisheries [9]. Access from shore must be built to control erosion.
- New permanent docks on non-tidal water need proof to the Planning Board that a temporary dock isn't feasible, plus a DEP permit [5].
- No new building on a dock unless it needs direct water access. Existing structures on docks can't become dwellings [6], and structures on a dock can be at most 20 feet tall [7].
Docks are exempt from the shoreland water setback because they need direct access to the water [12].
State and federal permits
Permanent structures projecting into or over water need a DEP permit under the Natural Resources Protection Act, and navigable waters may also require an Army Corps of Engineers permit [8].
Moorings in Perkins Cove
Moorings in Perkins Cove are assigned by the Harbormaster under the Harbor and Watercraft chapter [11], which also runs the mooring waiting lists.
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Next steps
- Confirm your shoreland district with Ogunquit Codes & Planning (207-646-9326).
- Apply to the Planning Board for site plan review with plans showing the dock's size, location and shore access.
- For a permanent structure, apply for a Maine DEP Natural Resources Protection Act permit, and check with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for tidal or navigable waters.
- For a mooring in Perkins Cove, contact the Harbormaster to get on the waiting list.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit to build a dock in Ogunquit, Maine?
- Possibly. In Ogunquit's shoreland districts, a pier, dock, wharf or float needs Planning Board site plan review. Permanent structures also need a state DEP permit and possibly an Army Corps permit.
- How many docks can I have per lot in Ogunquit, Maine?
- One per lot. A second is allowed only if the lot has at least twice the minimum shore frontage, and only as long as the lot isn't divided.
- Are docks allowed in the SG3 district in Ogunquit, Maine?
- No. In SG3, the Ogunquit Playhouse district, no docks or similar structures are allowed except the existing Josias River footbridge.
- How wide can a dock be in Ogunquit, Maine?
- A temporary noncommercial dock in non-tidal water can be at most 6 feet wide. Structures on a dock can be at most 20 feet tall, and new permanent docks on non-tidal water need a DEP permit.
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
- Table 702.1, Land Uses Permitted in Zoning Districts, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 161
Piers, docks, wharves, bridges NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP SPR SPR SPR SPR NP14 SPR SPR and other structures extending over or below high-water line or within a wetland, temporary or permanent*
- Table 702.1, Key, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 159
SPR Permitted use after site plan review approval from Planning Board
- §225-9.15C(1), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 115
(1) No more than one pier, dock, wharf or similar structure extending or located below the normal high-water line of a water body or within a wetland is allowed on a single lot, except that when a single lot contains at least twice the minimum shore frontage as specified in Table 703.1 a second structure may be allowed and may remain as long as the lot is not further divided.
- §225-9.15C(5), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 115
(5) The facility shall be no larger in dimension than necessary to carry on the activity and be consistent with existing conditions, use, and character of the area. A temporary pier, dock or wharf in non-tidal waters shall not be wider than six feet for noncommercial uses.
- §225-9.15C(6), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 115
New permanent piers and docks on non-tidal waters shall not be permitted unless it is clearly demonstrated to the Planning Board that a temporary pier or dock is not feasible, and a permit has been obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to the Natural Resources Protection Act.
- §225-9.15C(7), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 115
(7) No existing structures built on, over or abutting a pier, dock, wharf or other structure extending beyond the normal high-water line of a water body or within a wetland shall be converted to residential dwelling units in any district.
- §225-9.15C(8), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 115
(8) Structures built on, over or abutting a pier, wharf, dock or other structure extending beyond the normal high-water line of a water body or within a wetland shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the pier, wharf, dock or other structure.
- §225-9.15C, Note, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 116
Permanent structures projecting into or over water bodies shall require a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to the Natural Resources Protection Act, 38 M.R.S.A. §480-C. Permits may also be required from the Army Corps of Engineers if located in navigable waters.
- §225-9.15C(3)-(4), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 115
(3) The location shall not interfere with existing developed or natural beach areas. (4) The facility shall be located so as to minimize adverse effects on fisheries.
- Table 702.1, Note 14, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 164
No other piers, docks, wharves, bridges and other structures extending over or below the high-water line or within a wetland, temporary or permanent, of any kind shall be permitted in the SG3 District.
- Ch. 91, Harbor and Watercraft (Perkins Cove mooring regulations), Harbor and Watercraft (Perkins Cove), p. 1
Specific mooring sites shall be assigned by the Harbormaster.
- §225-9.15B(5), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 113
(5) The water body, tributary stream, or wetland setback provisions of Article 7 shall apply neither to structures which require direct access to the water body or wetland as an operational necessity, such as piers, docks and retaining walls, nor to other functionally water-dependent uses.