Zoning Ordinance

ZONING ORDINANCE OF

THE NORTHPORT VILLAGE CORPORATION

August 20, 2000

Amended: November 13, 2005

ARTICLE I - GENERAL............................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Short Title............................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Purpose.................................................................................................................. 1

1.3 Authority.................................................................................................................. 1

1.4 Availability.............................................................................................................. 1

1.5 Basic Requirements.............................................................................................. 1

1.6 Non-conforming Uses and Structures................................................................. 2

1.6.1 Continuance of Non-Conforming Uses................................................... 2

1.6.2 Discontinuance of Non-Conforming Uses.............................................. 2

1.6.3 Restoration of Non-Conforming Structures............................................. 2

1.6.4 Expansion of Non-Conforming Structures.............................................. 2

1.6.5 Transfer of Ownership............................................................................... 3

1.6.6 Restoration of Unsafe Property................................................................ 3

1.6.7 Non-Conforming Lots of Record.............................................................. 3

1.7 Validity and Severability....................................................................................... 3

1.8 Conflict With Other Ordinances............................................................................ 4

1.9 Amendment............................................................................................................ 4

1.10 Repetitive Petitions............................................................................................... 4

1.11 Effective Date........................................................................................................ 4

1.12 Shoreland Use Ordinance.................................................................................... 4

ARTICLE 2 - CONSTRUCTION OF LANGUAGE AND DEFINITIONS................................... 4

2.1 Construction of Language.................................................................................... 4

2.2 Definitions.............................................................................................................. 5

ARTICLE 3 - ZONING DISTRICTS.............................................................................................. 8

3.1 Zoning Districts...................................................................................................... 8

3.2 Location of Districts.............................................................................................. 8

3.3 Uncertainty of Boundary Location........................................................................ 8

3.4 Division of Lots by District Boundaries............................................................... 9

ARTICLE 4 - LAND USE DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS.......................................................... 9

4.1 Residential 1 District (R-1)................................................................................... 9

4.1.1 Purpose...................................................................................................... 9

4.1.2 Basic Requirements............................................................................... 10

4.1.3 Permitted Uses........................................................................................ 10

4.1.4 Conditional Uses..................................................................................... 10

4.1.5 Omitted Uses........................................................................................... 11

4.2 Residential 2 District (R-2)................................................................................. 11

4.2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................... 11

4.2.2 Basic Requirements............................................................................... 11

4.2.3 Permitted Uses........................................................................................ 12

4.2.4 Conditional Uses..................................................................................... 12

4.2.5 Omitted Uses........................................................................................... 13

4.3 General Purpose District.................................................................................... 13

4.3.1 Purpose.................................................................................................... 13

4.3.2 Basic Requirements............................................................................... 13

4.3.3 Permitted Uses........................................................................................ 13

4.3.4 Conditional Uses..................................................................................... 14

4.3.5 Omitted Uses........................................................................................... 15

4.4 Shoreland Zoning District................................................................................... 15

4.5 Historic District.................................................................................................... 15

4.5.1 Purpose.................................................................................................... 15

4.5.2 Basic Requirements............................................................................... 15

4.5.3 Permitted Uses........................................................................................ 15

4.5.4 Conditional Uses..................................................................................... 16

4.5.5 Omitted Uses........................................................................................... 16

ARTICLE 5 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS....................................................................... 17

5.1 Accessory Buildings........................................................................................... 17

5.2 Agriculture............................................................................................................ 17

5.3 Boathouses.......................................................................................................... 17

5.4 Campgrounds...................................................................................................... 17

5.5 Elevation of Buildings Above Flood Level........................................................ 18

5.6 Filling, Grading, Lagooning, Dredging, or Other Earth-Moving Activity........ 18

5.6.1 General..................................................................................................... 18

5.6.2 Earth Moving Requiring a Conditional Use Permit.............................. 18

5.6.3 Surety and Terms of Permits................................................................. 18

5.6.4 Existing Operations................................................................................. 18

5.7 Home Occupations............................................................................................. 18

5.8 Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks.......................................................... 19

5.8.1 Mobile Homes not in a Mobile Home Park.......................................... 19

5.8.2 Mobile Home Parks................................................................................ 19

5.9 Planned Unit Development................................................................................. 19

5.9.1 Purpose.................................................................................................... 19

5.9.2 Basic Requirements............................................................................... 19

5.10 Sanitary Provisions............................................................................................. 20

5.10.1 Purpose.................................................................................................... 20

5.10.2 Connection to Public Facilities.............................................................. 20

5.10.3 Subsurface Sewage Disposal............................................................... 20

5.10.4 Other Systems......................................................................................... 20

5.11 Signs and Billboards........................................................................................... 21

5.11.1 General..................................................................................................... 21

5.11.2 Size, Location and Illumination............................................................. 21

5.12 Timber Harvesting............................................................................................... 21

5.12.1 Harvesting Operations............................................................................ 21

5.12.2 Slash 21

5.12.3 Roads 21

5.13 Vegetative Cutting............................................................................................... 22

5.14 Water Quality Protection..................................................................................... 22

5.15 Bed and Breakfast.............................................................................................. 22

ARTICLE 6 - ADMINISTRATION.............................................................................................. 22

6.1 Enforcement......................................................................................................... 22

6.2 Application for Building Permit.......................................................................... 23

6.3 Permits Required................................................................................................ 23

6.4 Fee........................................................................................................................ 23

6.5 Enforcement......................................................................................................... 23

6.6 Legal Action and Violation................................................................................. 23

6.7 Penalties for Violation......................................................................................... 24

6.8 Appeals................................................................................................................ 24

6.9 Board of Appeals................................................................................................ 24

6.9.1 Establishment.......................................................................................... 24

6.9.2 Appointments and Composition............................................................ 24

6.9.3 Powers and Duties.................................................................................. 24

6.9.4 Appeal Procedure................................................................................... 25

6.10 Conditional Use Permits.................................................................................... 25

6.10.1 Authorization............................................................................................ 25

6.10.2 Powers and Duties.................................................................................. 26

6.10.3 Application Procedure............................................................................ 26

6.10.4 Factors Applicable to Conditional Uses............................................... 26

6.10.5 Conditions Attached to Conditional Uses............................................ 26

ATTESTATION............................................................................................................................ 26

ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE NORTHPORT VILLAGE CORPORATION

ARTICLE I - GENERAL

1.1 Short Title

This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the AZoning Ordinance of the Northport Village Corporation, Northport, Maine,@ and will be referred to herein as this AOrdinance@.

1.2 Purpose

(1) To promote the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, aesthetics, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Village.

(2) To protect the character and maintain the stability of the several herein described districts that comprise the Northport Village Corporation, and to encourage land use development according to the established character of the Village.

(3) To encourage safety from fire, explosion, noxious fumes and other such hazards, and to segregate and control nuisance producing uses.

(4) To prevent and control water pollution, protect spawning grounds, fish, aquatic life, bird and other wildlife habitat, and conserve shore cover, visual as well as points of access to inland and coastal waters and natural beauty.

(5) To establish districts of such number, area and designation as are deemed best suited to carry out the purpose of this Ordinance.

(6) To establish Performance Standards and to define the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies, as provided hereinafter.

1.3 Authority

This ordinance has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Title 30-A M.R.S.A. (Maine Revised Statutes Annotated) section 3001, et seq. and the Charter of the Northport Village Corporation, Private and Special Laws 1915, ch. 136, as amended by P& S L., 1919, ch. 46 and P& S L., 1957, ch. 155. The Town of Northport has duly adopted its comprehensive plan in May 2000 and the Village, therefore, in accordance with its land use authority has the power and authority to adopt land use regulations consistent with that comprehensive plan. 30-A M.R.S.A. § 6303.

1.4 Availability

A certified copy of this ordinance shall be filed with the Village Clerk and shall be accessible to any member of the public. Copies shall be made available to the public at reasonable cost at the expense of the person making the request. Notice of the availability of this ordinance shall be posted.

1.5 Basic Requirements

All buildings or structures hereinafter erected, reconstructed, altered, enlarged, or moved, and uses of premises in the Northport Village Corporation shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance. No building, structure, land or water area shall be used for any purpose or in any manner except as permitted within the District in which building, structure, land or water area is located.

1.6 Non-conforming Uses and Structures

Citizen’s Note: Non-conformance shall not be considered illegal or unacceptable. Non-conformance means lots of record, structures, or uses that are grandfathered because they were in conformance with the standards in effect prior to the effective date of this ordinance. The concerned party is encouraged to read through this ordinance and contact a village official should a question arise.

1.6.1 Continuance of Non-Conforming Uses

(1) The use of land, buildings or structure, lawful at the time of adoption or subsequent amendment of this Ordinance, may continue although such use does not conform to the provisions of this Ordinance.

(2) A non-conforming building or structure may be repaired, maintained, or improved, but the area in a non-conforming use may not be extended or expanded except in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance. Construction or enlargement of a foundation beneath the existing structure shall not be considered an expansion of the structure provided that the structure and new foundation are placed such that the setback requirement is met to the greatest practical extent as determined by the Board of Appeals, and that the completed foundation does not extend beyond the exterior dimensions of the structure and that the foundation does not cause the structure to be elevated more than three (3) additional feet.

(3) A non-conforming use may not be expanded or moved.

1.6.2 Discontinuance of Non-Conforming Uses

A non-conforming use which is discontinued for a period of one year may not be resumed. The uses of the land, building, or structure shall thereafter conform to the provisions of this Ordinance.

1.6.3 Restoration of Non-Conforming Structures

In accordance with §1.6.1(2), if a non-conforming use, building, or structure is damaged by fire, explosion, flood, riot, act of God, or accident of any kind, it may be restored following application to and review by the Board of Appeals under the following criteria:

(1) The Board of Appeals shall grant permission for the restoration of a non-conforming use, building or structure as above referenced if the restoration is essentially the same size, location, height and architectural appearance and character and use as formerly appeared.

1.6.4 Expansion of Non-Conforming Structures

A non-conforming structure may be added to or expanded after obtaining a permit from the same permitting authority as for a new structure, if such addition or expansion does not increase the non-conformity of the structure. For the purposes of this ordinance, an increase to the non-conformity of the structure shall mean:

(1) any expansion towards a property line that decreases the shortest existing non-conforming setback distance from the property line; or

(2) any expansion that would cause the structure to exceed the lot coverage requirements of the basic requirements of each district; or

(3) any expansion that would cause the structure to exceed the height limits applicable to the structure or the existing height of the preexisting structure, whichever is less. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as set forth in section 1.6.1(2) above construction or enlargement of a foundation beneath the existing structure shall not be considered an expansion of the structure provided that the structure and new foundation are placed such that the setback requirement is met to the greatest practical extent as determined by the Board of Appeals, and that the completed foundation does not extend beyond the exterior dimensions of the structure and that the foundation does not cause the structure to be elevated more than three (3) additional feet.

1.6.5 Transfer of Ownership

Ownership of land and structures which remain lawful, but become non-conforming by the adoption or amendment of this Ordinance may be transferred and the new owner may continue the non-conforming uses subject to the provisions of this Ordinance.

1.6.6 Restoration of Unsafe Property

(1) Nothing in this Ordinance shall prevent the strengthening or restoration to safe condition of any part of any building or structure declared unsafe by the Code Enforcement Officer.

(2) Nothing in this Ordinance shall prevent any changes in a non-conforming use or structure as Federal, State, or local building and safety codes may require.

1.6.7 Non-Conforming Lots of Record

(1) A single lot of record which, at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Ordinance, does not meet the area or width requirements, or both, of the District in which it is located, may be built upon provided that such lot shall be in separate ownership and that it is not contiguous with any other lot in the same ownership, and that all other provisions of this Ordinance shall be met, except lot size, frontage, and setback. Variance of yard or other requirements, and not involving area or width, shall be obtained only by action of the Board of Appeals.

(2) If two or more contiguous lots or parcels are in single ownership of record at the time of adoption or amendment of this Ordinance, and if all or part of the lots do not meet the dimensional requirements of this Ordinance, the lands involved shall be considered to be a single parcel for the purposes of this Ordinance and no portion of said parcel shall be built upon or sold which does not meet dimensional requirements of this Ordinance; nor shall any division of the parcel be made which creates any dimension or area below the requirements of this Ordinance. Because two or more contiguous lots or parcels in single ownership of record shall be considered to be a single parcel, the Board of Overseers will endeavor to secure the issuance of one tax bill for each combined lot.

(3) If two or more principal structures exist on a single lot of record on the effective date of this ordinance, each may be sold as a separate lot. When such lots are divided, each lot thus created must be as conforming as possible to the dimensions required of this Ordinance.

1.7 Validity and Severability

Should any section or provision of this Ordinance be declared by the courts to be invalid, such decision shall not invalidate any other section or provision of this Ordinance.

1.8 Conflict With Other Ordinances

This Ordinance shall not repeal, annul, or in any way impair or remove the necessity of compliance with any other rule, regulation, by-law, permit or provision of law. Where this Ordinance imposes a greater restriction upon the use of land, buildings, or structures, the more restrictive provision shall control, unless state law provides otherwise.

1.9 Amendment

(1) An amendment of this Ordinance may be initiated by:

(a) the Board of Appeals, provided a majority of the Board has so voted,

(b) vote of the Board of Overseers or,

(2) An amendment of this Ordinance may be adopted by:

(a) majority vote of the Board of Overseers if the proposed amendment is recommended by the Board of Appeals, or

(b) 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Overseers, or

(3) In either case, the Northport Village Corporation shall hold a public hearing in accordance with the requirements of 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4352(9) and provide notice of said public hearing posted in accordance and simultaneous with the notice requirement by 30-A M.R.S.A. §4352(9).

No proposed change in this Ordinance which has been unfavorably acted upon by the Board of Overseers shall be considered on its merits by the Board of Overseers within two years of the date of such unfavorable action unless the adoption of the proposed change is recommended by the Board of Appeals, or 2/3 majority vote of the registered voters of the Northport Village Corporation at the annual meeting.

1.11 Effective Date

The effective date of this Ordinance is 30 days after adoption.

1.12 Shoreland Use Ordinance

The Town of Northport Shoreland Use Ordinance of 1991, together with any amendments thereto, applies within the territorial limits of the Northport Village Corporation only to the extent that land within the Village lies within the Town’s Shoreland Zone.

Citizen’s Note: The Town of Northport is the enforcement authority for the Shoreland Use Ordinance. Any questions or permission sought pertaining to that Ordinance should be directed to the Town.

ARTICLE 2 - CONSTRUCTION OF LANGUAGE AND DEFINITIONS

2.1 Construction of Language

In this Ordinance, certain terms or words shall be interpreted as follows:

The word ”person” indicates a firm, association, organization, partnership, trust, company or corporation as well as an individual; the present tense includes the future tense, the singular number includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular; the word “shall” is mandatory, and the word “may” is permissive; the words ”used” or “occupied” shall include the words “intended”, “designed’, or arranged to be used or occupied“ the word “building”, includes the word “structure”, and the word “dwelling” includes the word “residence”, the word “lot", includes the words “plot” or “parcel”. In the case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Ordinance and any map or illustration, the text shall control.

Terms not defined shall have the Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (latest edition) meaning.

2.2 Definitions For the purpose of interpreting this Ordinance, the following words, phrases and terms shall have the meaning given therein.

Accessory Use or Structure: a permitted use or structure of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to those of the principal use or structure including (but not limited to) a garage, tool shed, greenhouse or dog house. Permitted accessory use does not include, but is not limited to, swimming pools, chicken houses or structures for domestic animals other than dogs, workshops, fish and bait houses and the like which may be conditional uses. The Board of Appeals shall determine what constitutes a permitted accessory use of structure in case of dispute between the Code Enforcement Officer and the land owner.

Bed and Breakfast: an owner occupied dwelling structure in which no more than 5 rooms for sleeping accommodations are made available for a fee to transient guests. A morning meal (but no others) may be provided to said guests.

Billboard: a structure, either freestanding or attached to a building, the surface of which is available for hire for advertising purposes.

Building: a structure for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, goods or property of any kind.

Building Height: the vertical distance between the highest point of the roof and average grade of the ground adjoining to the building, except that utility structures, such as chimneys, shall not be included in this measurement.

Campground: any premises established for overnight use for the purpose of temporary camping, and for which a fee is charged.

Code Enforcement Officer: a person appointed by the Town of Northport to administer and enforce this Ordinance. Reference to the Code Enforcement Officer may be construed to include Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Inspector and the like where applicable.

Conditional Use: a use permitted only after review and approval of the Board of Appeals. A Conditional use is a use that would not be appropriate without restriction but which, if controlled under the provisions of this Ordinance, would promote the purposes of this Ordinance. Such use may be permitted if specific provision of such Conditional Use is made in this Ordinance.

Conditional Use Permit: a permit authorized by the Board of Appeals for a Conditional Use. A Conditional Use Permit may be issued only after the applicant has followed the procedures of this Ordinance.

District: a specified portion of the Village, delineated on the Official Zoning Maps, within which certain regulations and requirements or various combinations thereof apply under provisions of this Ordinance.

Dwelling: a fixed structure, containing a room or group of rooms designed and equipped for use as a living quarters for only one family, including provisions for living, sleeping, cooking with one kitchen and eating with one kitchen. The term shall not be deemed to include hotel, motel, rooming house, tent, or yurt

Family Daycare Home: a facility serving up to six (6) individuals (child daycare, adult daycare, or both) either on a regular or non-recurring basis and classified as a home occupation if it is located in the operator’s residence.

Family: one or more persons occupying a premises and living as a single housekeeping unit, not to exceed four persons unrelated by blood or marriage.

Floor Area, Gross: The sum, in square feet, of the floor areas of all roofed portions of a building as measured from the interior faces of the exterior walls.

Grade: a reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. When the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, when the lot line is more than six (6) feet from the building at a point six (6) feet from the building.

Home Occupation: an occupation or profession which is: customarily carried on in a dwelling unit or in a building or other structure accessory to a dwelling unit; carried on by a member of the family residing in the dwelling unit; clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes; conforms with the following conditions:

(1) The occupation or profession shall be carried on wholly within the principal building.

(2) Not more than two persons outside the family shall be employed in the home occupation.

(3) There shall be no exterior display, no exterior sign (except as expressly permitted by the district regulations of this chapter), no exterior storage of materials and no other exterior indication of the home occupation or variation from the residential character of the principal building.

(4) No nuisance shall be generated, including but not necessarily limited to offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, glare, traffic or parking.

(5) The home occupation shall not use more than 20% of the total floor area of the residential structure.

(6) The following are examples of permitted uses under this definition:

(a) Office of doctor, dentist, lawyer, engineer, or member of similar recognized profession;

(b) Office of teacher or musician;

(d) Use of premises for dressmaking or millinery;

(e) Family daycare.

(7) The following uses are specifically prohibited:

(a) Tourist camps, cabins, motels, hotels and mobile home parks;

(b) Restaurants or other public eating places.

Lot: A parcel of land in single ownership, described on a deed, plot or similar legal document.

Lot Area: The total horizontal area within the lot lines.

Lot Coverage: The percentage of the lot covered by all buildings.

Lot of Record: A parcel of land, a legal description of which or the dimensions of which are recorded on a document or map on file with the Waldo County Registry of Deeds.

Mobile Home: A structure designed as a dwelling unit for a location on a permanent foundation and containing sleeping accommodations, a toilet, a tub or shower bath, and kitchen facilities, including major appliances and furniture, with plumbing and electrical connections provided for attachment to outside systems; and designed to be transported after fabrication on its own wheels. A mobile home shall contain not less than 450 square feet of gross floor area. The definition of mobile home shall include manufactured or modular housing constructed and installed in accordance with Housing and Urban Development standards. Manufactured or modular housings constructed and installed in accordance with BOCA standards shall not be included in the definition of Mobile Home.

Mobile Home Park : A plot of land laid out to accommodate at least 2 mobile homes.

Non-conforming Lot: A single lot of record which, at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Ordinance, does not meet the area, frontage, or width requirements of the district in which it is located.

Non-conforming Use: Use of buildings, structures, premises, land or parts thereof which is not permitted in the district in which it is situated, but which is allowed to remain solely because it was in lawful existence at the time this Ordinance or subsequent amendments took effect.

Non-conforming Structure: A structure which does not meet any one or more of the following dimensional requirements: setback, height, or lot coverage, but which is allowed solely because it was in lawful existence at the time this Ordinance or subsequent amendments took effect.

Planned Unit Development: Land under unified management, planned and developed as a whole according to comprehensive and detailed plans, including streets, utilities, lots or building sites, site plans, and designated principles for all buildings intended to be located, constructed, used and related to each other, and for other uses and improvements on the land.

Principal Building: The building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.

Principal Use: The primary use to which the premises are devoted, and the main purpose for which the premises exist.

Recreational Vehicle: A vehicle or vehicular attachment designated for temporary sleeping or living quarters for one or more persons, which is not a dwelling and which may include a pick- up camper, travel trailer, tent trailer, and motor home.