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Building near the water in Ogunquit, Maine (shoreland zoning)

Ogunquit, York County · Ordinances checked 2026-10-01 · Reviewed · 13 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Within 250 feet of the ocean, tidal areas, rivers and wetlands (75 feet of a stream) you are in Ogunquit's shoreland zone. New buildings must be at least 75 feet from the water in most districts (50 feet in Ogunquit Beach and Perkins Cove), and in the SLR, SLC, SG1 and SG2 districts non-vegetated surfaces are capped at 20% of the shoreland part of the lot. Clearing vegetation and most building work need a Code Enforcement Officer permit.

Shoreland zone extent250 ft from great ponds, rivers, coastal/tidal areas and freshwater wetlands; 75 ft from streams [1]
Structure setback from water and wetlands75 feet (50 feet in SG1 and SG2) [2]
Lot coverage (SLR, SLC, SG1, SG2)20% of the shoreland portion, counting all non-vegetated surfaces [12]
Expansion within 25 ft of the waterProhibited, except for a principal structure located entirely within 25 ft (see next) [4]
Principal structure entirely within 25 ftFootprint up to 800 sq ft or 30% over the Jan. 1, 1989 footprint, whichever is greater; height up to 15 ft or existing, whichever is greater [13]
Expansion of nonconforming structures within 75 ftTotal footprint up to 1,000 sq ft or 30% over the Jan. 1, 1989 footprint, whichever is greater; height up to 20 ft or existing, whichever is greater [5]
Buffer clearing (within 75 ft)No cleared opening over 250 sq ft; max 40% of tree volume in 10 years [6]
Total clearing25% of the shoreland lot area or 10,000 sq ft, whichever is greater [8]
Clearing permitCode Enforcement Officer permit in all shoreland districts [9]

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.

Where the shoreland zone applies

The shoreland zone is the land within 250 feet of a great pond, river, coastal wetland (including all tidal areas) or freshwater wetland, and within 75 feet of a stream [1]. It covers the SLR, SLC, SG1 (Ogunquit Beach), SG2 (Perkins Cove), SG3 (Playhouse), Stream Protection and Resource Protection districts.

Setbacks and coverage

New structures must be at least 75 feet from water bodies and wetlands, or 50 feet in SG1 and SG2 [2]. Piers, docks and other structures that need direct water access are exempt. In the shoreland zones, buildings, driveways, parking and all other non-vegetated surfaces count toward building coverage [3]. The cap is 20% of the shoreland part of the lot in SLR, SLC, SG1 and SG2, 70% in SG3, and 0% in Stream Protection and Resource Protection [12]. A single-family home needs a Code Enforcement Officer permit in SLR, SLC, SG1 and SG2 [10]. New homes aren't permitted in the SG3 or Stream Protection districts. In Resource Protection a home is allowed only if the Planning Board grants a special exception for a lot that has no buildable spot outside the district, and the total footprint is capped at 1,500 square feet [11].

Expanding an older building

As a rule, you can't expand any part of a building that lies within 25 feet of the water [4]. The exception is a legally existing home or other principal structure located entirely within 25 feet: its footprint can grow to 800 square feet or 30% more than its January 1, 1989 footprint, whichever is greater, and its height to 15 feet or its existing height, whichever is greater [13]. For other buildings within 75 feet, the total footprint of all structures can grow to 1,000 square feet or 30% more than the January 1, 1989 footprint, whichever is greater. Height is capped at 20 feet or the existing height, whichever is greater [5]. An approved expansion plan must be recorded at the Registry of Deeds within 90 days.

Trees and vegetation

Within 75 feet of the water, a vegetated buffer must be kept. No cleared opening can be larger than 250 square feet, though one footpath up to 6 feet wide is allowed [6]. No more than 40% of tree volume can be cut in 10 years [7]. Total cleared area on the shoreland part of a lot is capped at 25% or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater, except in the General Development districts [8]. Clearing needs a Code Enforcement Officer permit in every shoreland district [9].

See how Ogunquit compares with 8+ other Maine towns on building near the water (shoreland zoning) →

Next steps

  1. Ask Ogunquit Codes & Planning (207-646-9326) to confirm your shoreland district and where the 75-foot setback line falls.
  2. Get a survey showing the normal high-water line or wetland edge, existing footprints and the 1989 footprint if you plan to expand.
  3. Apply to the Code Enforcement Officer for a building or clearing permit; Resource Protection lots go to the Planning Board.
  4. Check with Maine DEP whether work near the water also needs a Natural Resources Protection Act permit.

Common questions

What is the shoreland zone in Ogunquit, Maine?
It is the land within 250 feet of a great pond, river, coastal wetland or freshwater wetland, and within 75 feet of a stream. New buildings must be at least 75 feet from the water in most districts, or 50 feet in SG1 and SG2.
Do I need a permit to clear trees in the Ogunquit, Maine shoreland zone?
Yes. Clearing needs a Code Enforcement Officer permit in every shoreland district. Within 75 feet of the water, no cleared opening can be larger than 250 square feet, and no more than 40% of tree volume can be cut in 10 years.
How much of my lot can be covered in the Ogunquit, Maine shoreland zone?
In SLR, SLC, SG1 and SG2 the cap is 20% of the shoreland part of the lot, counting all non-vegetated surfaces. It is 70% in SG3 and 0% in Stream Protection and Resource Protection.
Can I expand a house near the water in Ogunquit, Maine?
You can't expand any part of a building within 25 feet of the water, with a narrow exception for a principal structure located entirely within that distance. Other buildings within 75 feet can expand up to set footprint and height limits.

Maine's shoreland zoning rules

Under the Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act (38 M.R.S. §435–449), every town must enforce shoreland zoning at least as strict as the DEP's minimum guidelines (Chapter 1000).

What's in the shoreland zone: land within 250 ft of a great pond, river, tidal water, coastal wetland or most freshwater wetlands, and within 75 ft of a stream.

State minimum standards:

  • Setbacks for new buildings: 100 ft from great ponds classified GPA and from rivers that flow into them. 75 ft from other water bodies, tributary streams and wetlands.
  • Lot coverage: non-vegetated surfaces (buildings, driveways, etc.) are capped at 20% of the shoreland part of the lot in most districts.
  • Expanding an older building that sits too close to the water: no expansion of any part within 25 ft of the water. Within 75 ft, the total footprint is capped at 1,000 sq ft or 30% more than the footprint on Jan. 1, 1989, whichever is larger, and height at 20 ft or the existing height.
  • Vegetation buffer (within 100 ft of GPA ponds, 75 ft of other waters): no cleared opening over 250 sq ft, except one winding footpath up to 6 ft wide. Selective tree cutting only, with no more than 40% of tree volume removed in 10 years.
  • Total clearing: at most 25% of the shoreland lot area or 10,000 sq ft, whichever is larger, in most districts.

Work in or beside the water may also need a DEP permit.

State sources: 38 M.R.S. §435 (Shoreland areas) · DEP Chapter 1000: Guidelines for Municipal Shoreland Zoning Ordinances · Maine DEP Shoreland Zoning program · 38 M.R.S. §480-C (NRPA permit requirement)

What the ordinance says

Exact text from Ogunquit's published ordinances. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. §225-2.2, definition of "Shoreland zone", Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 31
    SHORELAND ZONE — The land area located within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of any great pond or river; within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the upland edge of a coastal wetland, including all areas affected by tidal action; within 250 feet of the upland edge of a freshwater wetland; or within 75 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of a stream.
  2. Table 703.1, Setbacks, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 165
    From water bodies and wetlands 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 50 50 75 75 75
  3. Table 703.1, Note 13, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 166
    13. In the Shoreland Zones, the total area of all buildings, structures, parking lots and any other non-vegetated surfaces shall be included in the computation of maximum building coverage, and shall not exceed the indicated percentage of the lot area, or portion of the lot area thereof, located in the Shoreland Zone.
  4. §225-3.3H(1)(a), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 40
    (a) Expansion of any portion of a structure within 25 feet of the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland edge of a wetland is prohibited, even if the expansion will not increase nonconformity with the water body, tributary stream or wetland setback requirement.
  5. §225-3.3H(1)(c)[1], Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 40
    [1] For structures located less than 75 feet from the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland edge of a wetland, the maximum combined total footprint for all structures may not be expanded to a size greater than 1,000 square feet or 30% larger than the footprint that existed on January 1, 1989, whichever is greater. The maximum height of any structure may not be made greater than 20 feet or the height of the existing structure, whichever is greater.
  6. §225-9.15L(2)(a), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 120
    (a) There shall be no cleared opening greater than 250 square feet in the forest canopy (or other existing woody vegetation if a forested canopy is not present) as measured from the outer limits of the tree or shrub crown.
  7. §225-9.15L(2)(b)[3], Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 121
    [3] Notwithstanding the above provisions, no more than 40% of the total volume of trees four inches or more in diameter, measured at 41/2 feet above ground level, may be removed in any ten-year period.
  8. §225-9.15L(3), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 122
    In no event shall cleared openings for any purpose, including but not limited to principal and accessory structures, driveways, lawns and sewage disposal areas, exceed in the aggregate 25% of the lot area within the shoreland zone or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater, including land previously cleared.
  9. Table 702.1, Land Uses Permitted in Zoning Districts, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 160
    Clearing or removal of A A A A A A A A A C C C C C C C vegetation for activities other than timber harvesting
  10. Table 702.1, Land Uses Permitted in Zoning Districts, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 161
    Single-family dwelling, other C C C C NP C C C C C C C C NP NP NP8 than manufactured housing unit
  11. §225-4.6D, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 52
    D. The total footprint, including cantilevered or similar overhanging extensions, of all principal and accessory structures is limited to a maximum of 1,500 square feet.
  12. Table 703.1, Maximum Building Coverage, Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 165
    Maximum Building Coverage With public sewer and water 30% 30% 20% 20% None 30% 30% 30% N/A 2013 2013 2013 2013 70%16 0% 0%
  13. §225-3.3H(1)(b), Ogunquit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 225 (town PDF), p. 40
    (b) Notwithstanding Subsection H(1)(a) above, if a legally existing nonconforming principal structure is entirely located less than 25 feet from the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland edge of a wetland, that structure may be expanded as follows, as long as all other applicable municipal land use standards are met and the expansion is not prohibited by Subsection H(1): [1] The maximum total footprint for the principal structure may not be expanded to a size greater than 800 square feet or 30% larger than the footprint that existed on January 1, 1989, whichever is greater. The maximum height of the principal structure may not be made greater than 15 feet or the height of the existing structure, whichever is greater.
This page summarizes Ogunquit's posted ordinances as of 2026-10-01. Ordinances are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Codes & Planning (Land Use) (207-646-9326) before you build. Spot an error?