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Maine Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maine on
Q: My father in law owns a parcel of land he inherited from his father. The man who owns the adjacent property has put up

A locked gate on the easement. My father in law has been unable to access this land for many years. He is an elderly man and this neighbor has been intimidated him. My father in law is scared of this neighbor so has not done anything about this.

My father in law wants to gift my husband... View More

Elliott R. Teel
Elliott R. Teel
answered on Feb 20, 2024

There are a couple of issues here. First is if the easement is in the deeds, and what the stated scope of it is. If there is clear language in the deed granting the right-of-way that is being blocked, then there are grounds to sue. If the right-off-way is only based on past use, that is more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: My neighbor just cleared his land of all trees right up to my property line. Clear cut! Can he do that? No trees left!

His property was a forest and every tree is gone right up to my property line. Isn’t there a buffer of some sort? I thought it was 15 ft? I was surrounded by woods and now I see his yard and house with no trees at all.

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Apr 4, 2021

Check with your Town Office to see if there are any state or municipal land use regulations concerning clearing trees and other vegetation that might apply to your neighbor’s property. For example, there are regulations concerning clearing trees and other vegetation in the shoreland zone, which... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Can someone who does not have right of way force you to remove a gate on your driveway. Their land is on other side.

Hello. We have just installed a gate on the road leading to our home. We own the land. Neighbors must use a portion of our road to reach their driveway which we gave ample room for with the install. Their right of way ends at their driveway. They were told about our gate install. The location was... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 27, 2020

I am sorry, but I am having a hard time picturing where everything is located based on your description. Also, you say “[t]heir right of way ends at their driveway.” But you also say they are demanding you “remove the post on their side.” You also ask if you are “legally forced to remove... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maine on
Q: My mother has been taking care of some rental property for a man who is now deceased. What can she do to take ownership?

She lives in Maine, has been paying the taxes on the property and isn't sure if the deceased man has any family.

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 27, 2020

I am sorry, but I do not think your mother has any right to take ownership based on her paying the taxes on the property. If she is interested in finding out who owns the property now, then she should check the local registry of deeds records to see if the deceased man owned the property in only... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Can someone in a subdivision tart a dirt road without getting permission from the property owners the road pass by?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Sep 18, 2019

I would first start by looking at the relevant subdivision documents to see what they provide. Likely, your answer is in those documents.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Maine on
Q: What are the rules about people walking on a beach that's owned by a private landowner?
Elliott R. Teel
Elliott R. Teel
answered on May 13, 2018

If there are no easement rights to walk on the beach or any other basis for permission, then it is essentially trespassing. You need to be sure that the beach is part of the land that is owned, and that should be provided for in the property deed. No Trespassing signs can be posted, and even... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Maine on
Q: Are some properties zoned for both commercial and residential use or do you usually need to apply for one or the other?
Elliott R. Teel
Elliott R. Teel
answered on Aug 16, 2017

Zoning is based on the location. Some zones will allow for both commercial and residential, but the types of commercial uses may be limited. You need to check with the town's land use code and zoning map to determine the relevant zone and what uses are permitted.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Maine on
Q: If you convert an industrial space to a residential one, which environmental laws do you have to comply with?
Elliott R. Teel
Elliott R. Teel
answered on Apr 28, 2017

Generally the environmental laws that apply to the property won't change, but if your use changes then there would likely be ones that are no longer applicable, while there may be others you would need to comply with. The laws will apply based on your actual use. The town's zoning laws... View More

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