Overview
In 2024 the City adopted a new Comprehensive Plan and produced a Housing Needs Assessment both of which are part of its strategic planning efforts. These documents identify several specific ordinance revisions necessary to implement recommendations and policy priorities—including zoning updates, process improvements, and regulatory streamlining. City Staff are working with a consultant to undergo a comprehensive review and update of the City’s land use ordinances. The update will remove outdated and conflicting language, streamline development processes, and align regulations with policy objectives from the Comprehensive Plan, Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy, and Business Attraction Plan.
We are using a two-phased approach:
- Phase 1: prioritizes essential technical updates and legal compliance to bring the City’s land use ordinances in alignment with recent statute changes from the Maine State Legislature (LD 1829, etc.)Note: changes related to Maine statute must be in place by July 1, 2026 per Maine State Legislature
- Phase 2: will address more complex policy issues such as zoning revisions and design standards and includes a public engagement process
We are currently in Phase 1 of this process.
For more information on the Comprehensive Ordinance Review or to provide public comment on the drafts, please contact ordinance@ellsworthmaine.gov
Proposed Ordinance and Code Amendments – Phase 1
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENTS – 6-15-26
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENTS – REPEALED CHAPTERS – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 1 – ADMINISTRATION (NEW) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 3 – HARBOR MANAGEMENT (REPEAL REPLACE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 4 – FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 4 – FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 5 – PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEWERS (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 5 – PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEWERS (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 14 – LICENSES (REPEAL & REPLACE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 18 – PLANNING BOARD (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 18 – PLANNING BOARD (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 37 – SPECIAL AMUSEMENT PERMIT (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 37 – SPECIAL AMUSEMENT PERMIT (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 38 – BOARD OF APPEALS (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 38 – BOARD OF APPEALS (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 39 – HISTORIC PRESERVATION (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 39 – HISTORIC PRESERVATION (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 41 – ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 41 – ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 42 – SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 42 – SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 43 – CITY TREES (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 43 – CITY TREES (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 48 – ROTATIONAL TOWING (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 48 – ROTATIONAL TOWING (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 55 – WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 55 – WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION (REDLINE).r1 – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 1 – ADMINISTRATION (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 1 – ADMINISTRATION (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 2 – BUILDING PERMITS (NEW) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 3 – ZONING DISTRICTS (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 3 – ZONING DISTRICTS (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 4 – SHORELAND ZONING (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 4 – SHORELAND ZONING (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 6 – SITE PLAN REVIEW (REPEAL & REPLACE).r1 – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 7 – SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS (REPEAL & REPLACE).r1 – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 8 – PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 8 – PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 9 – STREET DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 9 – STREET DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 10 – STORMWATER (CLEAN) – 6-15-26
CHAPTER 56 – ARTICLE 10 – STORMWATER (REDLINE) – 6-15-26
- Why are we doing this?
- Project Goals
- HOP Rules
- Resources, Workshop, Meeting
- Get involved
- Ellsworth continues to experience significant residential and commercial growth.
- As part of its strategic planning efforts, the City adopted a new Comprehensive Plan and Housing Needs Assessment in 2024. These documents identify several specific ordinance revisions necessary to implement recommendations and policy priorities—including zoning updates, process improvements, and regulatory streamlining.
- In June 2025, the Maine State Legislature enacted LD 1829, LD 997, and LD 427, all related to municipal land use and zoning ordinance, with a requirement that ordinances be compliant by July 1, 2026 (per 08-001 C.M.R. Chapter 1, Housing Opportunity Program: Municipal Land Use and Zoning Ordinance Rule).
- The housekeeping amendments and municipal land use and zoning amendments combined will improve the readability and useability of our City’s ordinances, making them clear, consistent, and aligned with our long term goals.