Plain-English answers to common homeowner questions, taken from South Portland's published ordinances, with every rule linked to the section it comes from.
Last reviewed
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Yes. South Portland permits one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot in every residential zone, inside the house, as an attached addition, or as a detached building, with a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. On lots under 10,890 sq ft the ADU can be up to 800 sq ft (or 90% of the main home, if smaller), no extra parking is required, and an ADU approved under the current rules cannot be used as a short-term rental.Allowed with a permit
Backyard Chickens Yes. South Portland allows up to six hens per lot with an annual chicken permit from Code Enforcement, plus a building permit for the henhouse and pen; the city issues only a limited number of new permits each year (20, plus permits for previous permittees). Roosters are not allowed, the henhouse must be in the rear yard, and eggs can't be sold.Allowed with a permit
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb / VRBO) Only in limited ways. In South Portland's residential zones you can short-term rent only as a registered "Hosted Home Stay": the property must be your homestead-exempt primary residence and you must be present during the stay. Whole-home "Non-Hosted" rentals are prohibited in residential districts, apart from a 14-day-a-year exemption for owners of single-family homes. Every rental must be registered annually with the City Clerk, pass a fire inspection, and is limited to two guests per bedroom and six guests total.Restricted
Fences Yes. In South Portland a fence can go right up to the property line because zoning setbacks don't apply to fences, but a solid fence within 5 feet of a lot line can be no taller than 6 feet, and no fence anywhere may exceed 7 feet. On corner lots, keep anything in the 20-foot sight triangle at the intersection under 3 feet. We found no fence-specific permit rule, but the zoning ordinance requires a permit for any structure, so check with Code Enforcement before building.Allowed
Sheds & Accessory Buildings Yes. Sheds and other accessory buildings are permitted in South Portland's residential zones, and the zoning ordinance requires a building permit for any structure, with no size exemption stated. In the common Residential A, AA and G districts a shed can sit 6 feet from the side and rear lot lines (3 feet in Village Residential), but it must meet the full front-yard setback and counts toward building coverage.Allowed with a permit
Burn Permits & Backyard Fires Brush burning is not allowed: South Portland bans burning slash, leaves, stumps and yard brush anywhere in the city. A backyard fire pit or outdoor fireplace is allowed with an annual Fire Department permit, and a campfire needs a daily burning permit; both must use clean, seasoned firewood and keep required distances from buildings and property lines.Restricted
Home-Based Businesses Yes. Home occupations are a permitted use in every South Portland residential zone, with no special approval listed, as long as the business is run by a family member living there, stays inside the house, uses no more than 25% of the floor area, and employs no more than two people from outside the family. There can be no outside display, storage or (generally) signs, and no nuisance traffic, parking or noise.Allowed
Swimming Pools Yes, with a pool permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. In residential zones a pool must be at least 50 feet from the street property line and 10 feet from side and rear lines, and any pool or body of water deeper than 18 inches must be enclosed by a 4- to 7-foot fence or wall with self-closing, self-latching gates.Allowed with a permit
Building Near the Water (Shoreland Zoning) Building near the water is allowed with shoreland zoning approval, usually from the Code Enforcement Officer (the Planning Board for anything over the water). The city ordinance sets a 40-foot setback from the high-water line or coastal wetland edge in residential zones (75 feet in Resource Protection areas), which is less than the 75-foot state minimum, so confirm the setback with Code Enforcement before designing. You must also keep a vegetated buffer within 75 feet of the water.Allowed with a permit
Docks, Piers & Floats Possibly, with Planning Board approval. South Portland's shoreland zoning requires Planning Board shoreland approval for any pier, dock or float extending over or below the high-water line, allows only one such structure per lot, and limits it to the size needed for its use. Docks in Portland Harbor also fall under the Portland Harbor Commission and state and federal permits, which we couldn't review.Allowed with board review