Pine State News

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has implemented two rule changes aimed at enhancing compliance and preserving the natural beauty of Maine. These rules are applicable to Maine's unorganized territories and specific towns and plantations.

Starting January 29, 2025, property owners intending to build new accessory structures such as garages, sheds, or decks must notify the Commission and self-verify that their projects adhere to required standards. Betsy Fitzgerald, Chair of the Commission, noted this change addresses compliance issues: "Often property owners are not aware that their project needs to meet certain standards because a permit has not been needed. The new notice system will help guide people to what they need to do to avoid any issues down the road."

Maine is known for having some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River. The updated rules aim to preserve this natural feature while promoting sustainable development in unorganized areas. For the first time in over twenty years, outdoor lighting and lighted sign standards have been revised to incorporate advancements in lighting technology.

Stacie Beyer, Executive Director of the LUPC, emphasized the significance of these updates: "People living in or traveling to the UT are used to seeing the stars. These rule changes will help keep the night sky dark over northern Maine."

The LUPC Commissioners and staff collaborate with applicants and landowners daily to maintain a balance between Maine's unique character and economy in its unorganized territories. Further information about these rule changes can be obtained by contacting lupc@maine.gov or visiting https://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/.

For additional inquiries, contact Jim Britt at Jim.Britt@maine.gov.