IMPORTANT LD 2003 INFORMATION

• Summary of Amendments LD 200 as of September 2023-
  Municipalities without zoning (or with only Shoreland Zoning) are now eligible, as of this amendment, to apply for and receive a one-time funding from the state to be used for ordinance development to comply with P.L. 2021, ch. 672 (LD 2003). Prior to this amendment, municipalities with only Shoreland Zoning were not eligible to apply directly to the state for funding to be in compliance with P.L. 2021, ch. 672 (LD 2003). 
•  Information for municipals requesting funding for LD 2003 can be found here.
• Information about LD 2003 can be found here. 
• Funding opportunities to assist municipalities in implementing LD 2003 amendments
• LD 2003 Municipal Payments Informational Session slides issued by DECD
• Click here to email KVCOG staff with questions about LD 2003. Municipalities may also email KVCOG and request that their community be added to KVCOG’s list of towns to work with in updating and amending relevant ordinances to comply with LD 2003. 
• LD 2003 Guidance Document issued by DECD
• DECD Proposed rules changes to reflect updates from PL2023:
  • Extending the implementation date of July 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, for municipalities that enact ordinances without further approval by voters in a municipality and July 1, 2024, for all other municipalities.
  • Changing the definition of “affordable housing development” to provide that an affordable housing development is a development in which a household whose income does not exceed a certain level can afford 51% or more of the units in the development without spending more than 30% of the household’s monthly income on housing costs; and
  • Clarifying that an accessory dwelling unit must comply with shoreland zoning requirements established by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and municipal shoreland zoning ordinances, except that a municipality may not categorically prohibit accessory dwelling units in the shoreland zone that would otherwise meet shoreland zoning requirements established by Department of Environmental Protection and municipal shoreland zoning ordinances.
  • Amending Section 2(B)(2) to clarify that not all municipalities grant a certificate of occupancy, but instead may utilize a different procedure;
  • Amending Section 3(A) and Section 4(A)(1) to clarify that additional dwelling units and accessory dwelling units are permitted on lots where residential uses are allowed, including as a conditional use;
  • Amending Section 3(B)(3)(a) to clarify that dimensional requirements include setback requirements;
  • Adding Section 4(B)(2)(c) to state the following about nonconforming lots: An accessory dwelling unit is allowed on a lot that does not conform to the municipal zoning ordinance if the accessory dwelling unit does not further increase the nonconformity;
  • Adding Section 4(B)(3)(e) to state the following about illegal structures: An accessory dwelling unit that was not built with municipal approval must be allowed if the accessory dwelling unit otherwise meets the requirements for accessory dwelling units of the municipality and under this Section; and
  • Amending Section 4(C)(1) to add that municipalities may establish an application and permitting process for accessory dwelling units that does not require planning board approval.

KVCOG Hosts Its First Annual Planning Day

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) invited members of its region's municipalities to provide education and informative information on three hot button topics including: sustainable waste management solutions to create proactive solutions to the pending closure of the Hatch Hill Facility located in Augusta, the implementation of the new housing law, known as LD 2003, and PFAS updates. 

In the first session, KVCOG invited ecomaine, Casella, Apparel Impact, and the Department of Environmental Protection to present on waste management solutions, services they offer to municipalities, and how to provide community support. 

ecomaine's Presentation Slides

Apparel Impact's Presentation Slides

Department of Environmental Protection's Presentation Slides

In the second session, KVCOG invited Natalie Burns, Jensen Baird Attorney, to present on consequences on municipal zoning, home rule, and affordable housing initiatives, statewide housing production goals, and increasing housing opportunities, along with two of the housing coordinators from MDECD to provide insight into the implementation of LD 2003.

Phillip Saucier & Natalie Burn's Presentation Slides

In the third session, KVCOG invited Tracy Kelley, PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Public Service Coordinator, from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to present on Maine's statewide PFAS evaluation/investigation and tools that the DEP has to offer to the public. 

Tracy Kelley's Presentation Slides

It's time to plan your visit to the Kennebec Valley! Thanks to the Kennebec Valley Explorer/Visit Kennebec Valley for producing this amazing video. See more of this content and plan your trip to the Kennebec Valley on their website.

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1967. KVCOG is a membership organization and is owned and operated for the benefit of its members.  The Council of Governments is enabled by state statue. The office is located in Fairfield, Maine and serves Kennebec, Somerset and western Waldo Counties.

KVCOG provides a coordinated approach for planning and economic development at the local and regional level.  KVCOG has been a leader in economic development, environmental, land use and transportation planning with a wide array of professional talent among staff for the past 50 years.

The Kennebec Valley region is connected by the Kennebec River. It covers 62 municipalities, several unorganized territories and 5,251 square miles with a population of approximately 182,000.  It includes the state capital of Augusta as well as other cities including Waterville, Gardiner and Hallowell and many rural towns. Municipal population ranges from 42 to 18,972.