LD 1802
pg. 1
LD 1802 Title Page An Act To Sustain Good Local Planning Practices Page 2 of 4
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LR 2799
Item 1

 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become
effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as
emergencies; and

 
Whereas, on January 1, 2006 current law will invalidate local
ordinances that define a subdivision as the creation of 2 lots in
a 5-year period; and

 
Whereas, good local planning practices are advanced by the
implementation of such ordinances; and

 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create
an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and
require the following legislation as immediately necessary for
the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,

 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

 
Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §4401, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2001, c. 651, §§1 to
3, is further amended to read:

 
4. Subdivision. "Subdivision" Except as provided in
paragraph H-2, "subdivision" means the division of a tract or
parcel of land into 3 or more lots within any 5-year period that
begins on or after September 23, 1971. This definition applies
whether the division is accomplished by sale, lease, development,
buildings or otherwise. The term "subdivision" also includes the
division of a new structure or structures on a tract or parcel of
land into 3 or more dwelling units within a 5-year period, the
construction or placement of 3 or more dwelling units on a single
tract or parcel of land and the division of an existing structure
or structures previously used for commercial or industrial use
into 3 or more dwelling units within a 5-year period.

 
A. In determining whether a tract or parcel of land is
divided into 3 or more lots, the first dividing of the tract
or parcel is considered to create the first 2 lots and the
next dividing of either of these first 2 lots, by whomever
accomplished, is considered to create a 3rd lot, unless:

 
(1) Both dividings are accomplished by a subdivider
who has retained one of the lots for the subdivider's
own use as a single-family residence that has been the
subdivider's principal residence for a period of at
least 5 years immediately preceding the 2nd division;
or

 
(2) The division of the tract or parcel is otherwise
exempt under this subchapter.


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