Dock, pier and float rules in Yarmouth, Maine
Yes, with a town Shoreland Permit. A private dock in a residential area can have a pier up to 6 ft wide, a ramp up to 3.5 ft wide, and a float up to 320 sq ft. Docks within those limits are permitted by the Planning Department; larger or more complex projects go to the Planning Board. Moored floats also need approval from the Harbor Master, the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
| Max size (private docks outside WOC, GD, Industrial) | Pier 6 ft wide; ramp 3.5 ft wide; float 320 sq ft [1] |
| Who approves | Planning Department for piers, ramps and floats within the size limits; Planning Board for other work in the SOD [2] |
| Number per lot | One, unless the lot has at least twice the minimum shore frontage [3] |
| Non-tidal waters | Temporary docks max 6 ft wide; new permanent docks only if temporary isn't feasible and DEP has issued a permit [4] |
| Moored floats | Need Harbor Master, Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, and Army Corps approval [5] |
| Royal River Anchorage floats | Max 320 sq ft and 8 ft wide [6] |
Size limits
For private docks outside the Water Oriented Commercial, General Development and Industrial zones, the maximum sizes are a 6-ft-wide pier, a 3.5-ft-wide ramp, and a 320-sq-ft float [1]. The Planning Board may waive the ramp and float limits for special needs such as community docks, handicap access, or rough wind and tide conditions, but never the pier width. Any dock must be no larger than needed and fit the surrounding character.
Who approves
Docks fall under the Shoreland Overlay District. The Planning Department issues Shoreland Permits for piers, ramps and floats that stay within the size limits [2]. Anything else, including larger structures, goes to the Planning Board. In the Resource Protection District, permanent structures in non-tidal waters and all causeways and wharves need a Planning Board permit. Temporary structures, and permanent piers, docks and floats in tidal waters within the size limits, need a CEO permit. Piers and docks are exempt from the 75-ft water setback because they need direct water access.
Review standards
The town may ask for an environmental impact analysis, including cumulative effects with other docks. A dock can't interfere with beaches, moorings, public access or other docks, and should avoid clam flats, eelgrass, salt marsh and other sensitive areas. Only one pier or dock is allowed per lot unless the lot has at least twice the minimum shore frontage [3]. On non-tidal water, temporary non-commercial docks can be no wider than 6 ft, and a new permanent dock needs proof a temporary one isn't feasible plus a DEP permit [4].
Moored floats and the harbor
Under the Harbor, Waterfront and Boat Ordinance, each moored float needs permission from the Harbor Master, the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, and the Army Corps of Engineers [5]. In the Royal River Anchorage, floats are capped at 320 sq ft and 8 ft wide [6], must have two anchors, and must be jointly held by two mooring applicants. All floats must display registration numbers and use marine-grade flotation.
State and federal permits
The ordinance itself requires a DEP permit for new permanent docks on non-tidal water and Army Corps approval for moored floats. See the state section for other DEP and submerged-lands rules.
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Next steps
- Talk to Yarmouth Planning & Development (207-846-2401) about a Shoreland Permit, and bring a scaled site plan with pier, ramp and float dimensions.
- If you need a larger float or ramp, expect Planning Board review and possibly an environmental impact analysis.
- For a moored float, contact the Harbor Master to start the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee and Army Corps approvals.
- Ask Maine DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers which permits your dock needs, especially for permanent structures.
Common questions
- Can I build a dock in Yarmouth, Maine?
- Yes, with a town Shoreland Permit. A private dock in a residential area can have a pier up to 6 feet wide, a ramp up to 3.5 feet wide, and a float up to 320 sq ft. Larger or more complex projects go to the Planning Board.
- Who approves a dock in Yarmouth, Maine?
- The Planning Department issues Shoreland Permits for piers, ramps and floats within the size limits. Anything else, including larger structures, goes to the Planning Board.
- How many docks can I have on my lot in Yarmouth, Maine?
- One pier or dock per lot, unless the lot has at least twice the minimum shore frontage.
- Do moored floats need extra approval in Yarmouth, Maine?
- Yes. Each moored float needs approval from the Harbor Master, the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, and the Army Corps of Engineers. In the Royal River Anchorage, floats are capped at 320 sq ft and 8 feet wide.
- What are the dock rules on non-tidal water in Yarmouth, Maine?
- Temporary non-commercial docks can be no wider than 6 feet. A new permanent dock needs proof a temporary one isn't feasible plus 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
- Article II.R.4, Chapter 701 Zoning Ordinance, p. 61
a. Pier: Six (6) feet in overall width b. Ramp: Three and one half (3.5) feet in width c. Float: Three hundred twenty (320) square feet.
- Article IV.R.8.b(1)(j) Permitting Authority, Chapter 701 Zoning Ordinance, p. 166
(j.) Piers, ramps and floats that do not exceed the site limits specified in Article II.R.4 for piers, ramps, and floats.
- Article II.R.3.i, Chapter 701 Zoning Ordinance, p. 60
i. 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 required, a second structure may be allowed and may remain as long as the lot is not further divided.
- Article II.R.3.g, Chapter 701 Zoning Ordinance, p. 60
g. New permanent piers and docks on Non Tidal waters shall not be permitted unless it is clearly demonstrated to the Permitting Authority 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.
- Ch. 308, Article V.H.3 Float Regulations, Chapter 308 Harbor, Waterfront and Boat Ordinance, p. 17
3. Each moored float may be authorized only after received expressed permission of the Harbor Master, Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
- Ch. 308, Article V.H.2 Float Regulations, Chapter 308 Harbor, Waterfront and Boat Ordinance, p. 16
2. Float size in the Royal River Anchorage (FNP) shall not exceed a total of 320 square feet (based on 8x40 foot dimensions) and shall not exceed a width of 8 feet.