Residents & Visitors

Use the resources below to answer many of the questions you may have about living in, and visiting, Bayside.

Find Things to Do

Your best bet is to check out the www.BaysideMaine.com calendar, available here, but here’s some other helpful information on various activities. 

Boating/Sailing

The Northport Yacht Club, located right by Bayside’s wharf, has an amazing summer sailing school program for kids nine and up.  Find more information here.

If you want to rent a kayak for your vacation, there are vendors that will deliver one to you.  One example is Maine Outdoor Sportsman, nearby on Route 1.

The Penobscot Bay is known for its Windjammer fleet, with sailings from nearby Camden and Rockland.  Find out more from the Maine Windjammer Association.

Other boating adventures, like lobster boat trips, are available in Camden and elsewhere.  Google it.

Sailing School

For kids, nothing makes a summer in Bayside as fun as participating in the Northport Yacht Club’s sailing school.  The weekly program is offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings throughout the summer. All children 9 and older may participate for a week or for the whole summer. Swimming test is required for new students. Report to the NYC Clubhouse by 9 AM Monday, with a personal flotation device if you have one. For more information, click here.

Watch an Interview with 2018 Head Instructor Ben Webster here.

Swimming

Bayside offers several public beaches and, of course, the wharf.  Lifeguard coverage is provided most days during the summer season.  Your safety is very important, so please check out Bayside’s Waterfront Regulations.

The Belfast City Park has an outdoor swimming pool, and the Waldo County YMCA has an indoor pool.

Parks

Bayside offers a number of public parks, including Ruggles Park at the center of the Village, with a basketball court and playground.  Other parks include Bayview Park, Blaisdell Park, Auditorium Park.  You can find our parks using the document here.

Belfast City Park, with its 17.5 acres situated on Penobscot Bay, also offers a swimming pool, tennis courts and pickleball courts.

Golfing

The Northport Golf Club, located right in Bayside, offers a classic nine-hole, par 36 layout featuring some alternate teeing grounds for a full eighteen-hole round. The course is well maintained and is very walker friendly, with short distances from green to tee. There is a driving range, a chipping green, and two practice putting greens. Voted “Best of the Best” 2009 – 2020 for Waldo County golf. Northport welcomes public play. There are also many opportunities for members to participate in league and tournament play.

Libraries

Bayside has its own library, with a separate building just for kids.  The library is at the corner of George Street and Clinton Avenue and is typically open daily, in the summer, from 10 AM to 5 PM (more or less) and is operated on the honor system.  Staffed by volunteers, it features books for every age, and a volunteer-based children’s reading program.  Donations of appropriate books (especially children’s books) are welcomed.

Belfast Free Library is in downtown Belfast and is typically open weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Report an Emergency
To report a police, fire or health emergency, dial 911.  Bayside offers police protection seasonally.  Fire protection is provided by the Northport Volunteer Fire Department.
Report a Problem

To report a problem to the Northport Village Corporation, call 207-338-0751 or email office@nvcmaine.org.  To report a problem to the Town of Northport, email administrator@northportmaine.org or call 207-338-3819.

Stay Safe and Obey the Law
Safety Brochure & Flyer
Click here to download the Bayside safety flyer.

Click here to download the Bayside safety brochure.

Click here to download the Bayside parking flyer.

Boating

Larger watercraft in Maine are required to be registered with the state, which can be done at the Northport Town Office.  Re-registering can be done online at here.

The Town of Northport requires mooring permits for any boats moored in Town waters, which includes Bayside.  Permit forms are available here.

Bayside requires small watercraft stored on Village property to display an NVC permit.  Registration packets are available here and at the Village office at 813 Shore Road.

Dogs

The Bayside Dog Ordinance provides that “Dog owners are responsible to pick up and dispose of their dog’s excrement deposited on the land of others and/or public land and ways. Disposal shall be in appropriate receptacles. Violators shall be subject to a fine imposed by the Village Overseers of $25.00 per incident.”

Please obey the law and be considerate of your neighbors and the community.

Fires & Fireworks

Fireworks are prohibited in Bayside, and fires are tightly controlled.

Read the Northport Fireworks Ordinance here.

Read the Bayside Fire Ordinance here.  It is summarized below.

Be Fire Smart!

Bayside is filled with old, beautiful, wooden houses. We have had devastating fires in the past, and we are always alert to the potential for stray sparks and fires. Wood smoke from a fire without a permit can trigger a “false alarm,” requiring the Fire Department to needlessly mobilize and respond. Every cottage should have a copy of our Fire Ordinance; there are also copies at the Village Office. Some of these rules are state law; some are just common sense; all of them make for a safer Bayside!

There are basically four types of controlled fires:

  1. Bonfires (on the beach) require a permit through the Town of Northport and permission from the NVC Board of Overseers.
  2. Camp fires require a permit through the Town of Northport and also permission from the NVC Board of Overseers unless they are located on the Intertidal Zone, 25 feet from any combustible material, and 75 feet from any
    structure.
  3. Fire place (fire pit) does not require a permit but does require permission from the NVC unless it’s at least 75 feet from any abutting dwelling or structure
  4. Grills do not require permits or NVC permission but must be monitored.

State fire permits are available at the Bayside Store or Northport Town Hall.

Remember: NEVER leave your fires unattended. When done, extinguish your fire completely. Always keep a cell phone and fire extinguishing equipment at hand.

Violating the NVC Fire Ordinance can incur fines of up to $1,000.

Questions? Contact the Village office at 207-338-0751 or office@nvcmaine.org

Lifeguard & Police Coverage

Lifeguard and police coverage is provided by the Village on a seasonal basis.  Coverage times may vary, but the lifeguard hours are typically from 10AM to 6 PM daily.

To contact the police, dial 911.  For non-emergencies, you may contact the police chief at 207-338-0751 or office@nvcmaine.org.

Marijuana Usage

Adult-use marijuana was legalized in Maine in 2016.

Under Maine law, individuals 21 years of age or older are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of marijuana.  Additionally, adults are allowed to lawfully possess and cultivate up to three mature marijuana plants, 12 immature plants and unlimited seedlings.

Consuming cannabis on public or federal land is strictly prohibited and illegal in Maine. Recreational marijuana may only be consumed on private property, out of public view.  Adults 21 years of age or older who do choose to consume marijuana in public and are found guilty of perpetrating this civil violation are subject to a fine up to $100.

If you choose to consume marijuana, please do so responsibly and remember that Bayside is a family-oriented community.

Read the Town of Northport Marijuana Ordinance here.

Parking
Our quaint village has narrow streets and generally small home lots.  Please be respectful of your neighbors when parking your vehicle.  Read the Bayside Parking Ordinance here.  A helpful two-page flyer summarizing the Parking Ordinance is available here.

Under no circumstance should a Vehicle be parked on a roadway in any manner that results in the area of passage being less than fourteen (14) feet.  Vehicles should never be parked or stopped in any street so as to prevent or obstruct the passing of vehicular traffic or emergency vehicles.

Trees

Trees are a big contributor to the scenic shoreside scenery of Bayside.  Read Bayside’s Tree Ordinance here.

Waterfront Ordinance
The Village wants everyone to stay safe and has adopted a Waterfront Ordinance, which are available here.

About BaysideMaine.com

Utilities
Trash

The Village provides twice weekly trash and recycling pickup during the summer, on Mondays and Thursdays.  The rest of the year, pickup is once a week on Mondays.  Trash bags must have Northport Transfer Station stickers ($3 each as of 2023), which are available for purchase at the Northport Town Office, Wentworth Family Grocery and the transfer station (check only) (subject to change).  Stickers are sometimes made available at the Village office.

Trash and recycling may also be dropped off at the Northport Transfer Station, which is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 AM to 4 PM.

The Northport Transfer Station also accepts brush but not leaves.

Water & Sewer

The Northport Village Corporation provides water service to all of Bayside and sewer service to most of the Village.  For more information, contact the Village office at 207-338-0751 or office@nvcmaine.org.  Water and sewer is billed on a trimester basis.

Electricity

Electricity in the Village is delivered by Central Maine Power.  Customers have the option of choosing their supplier, however.  More information is available here.

Internet

Options for Internet in Bayside are limited, but at least we have some!

Consolidated Communications provides wired DSL service to Bayside,  In 2023, GWI started offering fiber to a limited part of the northern end of the Village (north of Cobe Road).  GWI expects to expand its fiber network into the core part of the Village in late 2023 and into 2024, so stay tuned.

Wireless providers include Redzone.

Boating

Getting out on the water is a big part of the Bayside experience for many people.  Find more information on how to enjoy the Penobscot Bay below.

Northport Yacht Club

The Northport Yacht Club, located right by Bayside’s wharf, is the sponsor of most of Bayside’s social events.  The NYC runs an amazing summer sailing school program for kids nine and up (more information here, and members get a discount) as well as Thursday night races for kids and the “big boat” John Short Race Series throughout the summer.  Membership rates are extremely reasonable, so please consider joining.  Members also enjoy the use of the club’s dinghy at the wharf.

Permits

Larger watercraft in Maine are required to be registered with the state, which can be done at the Northport Town Office.  Re-registering can be done online at here.

The Town of Northport requires mooring permits for any boats moored in Town waters, which includes Bayside.  Permit forms are available here.

Bayside requires small watercraft stored on Village property (including Village beaches and floats) to display an NVC permit.  Registration packets are available here and at the Village office at 813 Shore Road.

Moorings

The Town of Northport requires mooring permits for any boats moored in Town waters, which includes Bayside.  Permit forms are available here.

Most moorings in Bayside are privately owned and serviced by Scott Munroe at Bayside Marine.  Reach Scott at scottfmunroe@roadrunner.com or 207-323-4565.

The Northport Yacht Club maintains a guest mooring.  Contact the NYC at NorthportYC@gmail.com.

Waterfront Ordinance
The Village wants everyone to stay safe and has adopted a Waterfront Ordinance, which are available here.  Among other things, the Waterfront Ordinance addresses regulations related to use of the wharf and boat floats.
Boat Rentals and Outings

If you want to rent a kayak for your vacation, there are vendors that will deliver one to you.  One example is Maine Outdoor Sportsman, nearby on Route 1.

The Penobscot Bay is known for its Windjammer fleet, with sailings from nearby Camden and Rockland.  Find out more from the Maine Windjammer Association.

Other boating adventures, like lobster boat trips, are available in Camden and elsewhere.  Google it.

Rentals

Many cottages in Bayside are available for rent on a weekly basis.  Northport Village Corporation facilities are also available for rental on a limited and discretionary basis.

Cottages

There are a number of companies that manage the rental of cottages in Bayside, including those listed below.  Additionally, some owners rent their properties directly.

Bayside Cottage Rentals

On the Water in Maine

Welcome to Bayside Brochure

Download a handy guide for renters prepared by Bayside Cottage Rentals.

Welcome to Bayside Brochure

Village Facilities
In addition to the Community Hall and wharf, the Northport Village Corporation owns numerous parks throughout Bayside, which you can find using the document here.  If you’re interested in using Village property for an event, please contact the NVC at office@nvcmaine.org or 207-338-0751.
Kayak Rentals

If you want to rent a kayak for your vacation, there are vendors that will deliver one to you.  Some examples are Maine Outdoor Sportsman, Ducktrap Kayaks, and Water Walker.

Real Estate

Many cottages in Bayside have been owned by the same family for generations, but there are usually a handful that change hands in a typical year.  If you want to own your own piece of Bayside, the information below might be helpful.

Property Listings

View properties currently listed on Realtor.com here.

View Bayside on Zillow.com here.

Bayside Property Taxes

View the current tax roll for the Northport Village Corporation here.

Property owners in Bayside pay property taxes to both the Town of Northport (in two installments, due September 30 and March 1) and to the Northport Village Corporation (due September 1).

The Town of Northport collects property taxes on behalf of the Northport Village Corporation.  The Tax Collector can be contacted at (207) 338-3819 or townclerk@northportmaine.org.

Building Permits and Zoning

Development of real estate in Bayside is subject to the Bayside Zoning Ordinance, available here.

In addition, building and clearing of properties located near the shore is subject to the Town of Northport Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, available here.

Building in the Town of Northport is subject to the Town’s Building Permit Ordinance, available here.

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