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MaineLD 128132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Support Permitting of Certain Multifamily Housing Developments Under the Site Location of Development Laws

Sponsored By: Teresa S. Pierce (Democratic)

Became Law

LAND USE PLANNINGLAND USE PLANNING - PERMITS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Less state review for single-family lots

The law changes when small housing projects trigger state site review. In general, a subdivision is 5 or more lots in 5 years and over 20 acres. If every lot is for single‑detached homes with up to 4 units per lot (and may include one accessory unit), the threshold is 15 or more lots in 5 years and over 30 acres. Roads, common areas, and easements count toward acreage. A lot is counted when its plan is recorded or when sold or leased, and stays counted for 5 years. Built areas and roads inside those lots do not count toward the 3‑acre structure threshold. Land or water inside those lots, and roads that serve only them, do not count toward the 20‑acre total. Condominiums and apartment buildings do not qualify.

Local review for some mid-sized housing

Projects inside towns on the department’s capacity list can be reviewed locally when they sit fully in a designated growth area. Covered projects are structures between 3 and 10 acres, or 15 or more qualifying single‑detached home lots totaling 30 to 100 acres. The department issues a list of qualified municipalities each year and can change it. Local or neighboring planning boards can ask the state to step in for regional environmental impacts within 20 days of the town receiving the application. If the state takes jurisdiction, it must do so within 30 days of a complete application or any modification. Changes to an exempt project stay exempt if they remain within the size limits or the department finds the town can review them.

Faster permit rules, some stay stricter

The department treats most site‑location rules as routine technical rules and may use permit‑by‑rule. But rules adopted after January 1, 2010 under specified parts of the law remain major substantive and follow a stricter review process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Teresa S. Pierce

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 554

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/5/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/3/2026House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-494).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/26/2026House

  5. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-494).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    2/24/2026Senate

  6. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, ACCEPTANCE of the Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-494) Report PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 717 Yeas 23 - Nays 9 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-494) READ and ADOPTED.ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    2/12/2026Senate

  7. Unfinished Business

    2/10/2026Senate

  8. Report READ and ACCEPTED. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook the Senate RECONSIDERED their actions whereby they ACCEPTED THE OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED Report. On motion by Same Senator Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of the OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-494) Report. Unfinished Business

    2/3/2026Senate

  9. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  10. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  11. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/8/2025House

  12. Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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