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ADU Town Regulations

Eliot, ME

Sep 9, 2024

Last Updated

About

Eliot is a quiet, picturesque town in the southern part of York County, Maine located along the Piscataqua River. Known for its rural charm, Eliot offers a peaceful setting with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, boating, and exploring local farms. The town's historic roots are evident in its well-preserved architecture and landmarks, giving it a rich sense of tradition. Eliot is home to Ambush Rock, Green Acre, and the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum. With its proximity to both the New Hampshire border and the scenic Maine coast, Eliot is an ideal spot for those seeking a blend of small-town life and easy access to nearby urban amenities. The population was 6,717 at the 2020 census.

ADU Rules

  • An ADU may be permitted as an accessory use to a single family home under the following conditions:

    • Only one (1) ADU is permitted per lot. The ADU shall be located in the same building as the principal dwelling unit, attached to or sharing a wall with the principal dwelling unit, or in a building accessory to the principal dwelling unit.

    • A building permit for the proposed construction of a new ADU or the creation of a new ADU within an existing building, must be issued by the code enforcement officer.

    • A building permit for a new single family home may include an ADU as long as the provisions are met and the building conforms to all of the dimensional requirements for the zone in which it is being built.

    • An ADU may be included in a new home constructed on a lawful nonconforming lot of record.

    • The maximum gross floor area of an ADU shall be 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling unit, whichever is less.

    • The minimum gross floor area of an ADU shall be 190 square feet

    • An ADU shall not have more than two bedrooms.

  • An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) may be rented so that the owner-occupant may benefit from the additional income. The owner may also elect to occupy the accessory dwelling unit and rent the principal dwelling unit.

  • Owner-occupied means that either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU is occupied by a person who has a legal or equitable ownership interest in the property and bears all or part of the economic risk of decline in value of the property and who receives all or part of the remuneration, if any, derived from the lease or rental of the dwelling unit.

  • The property owner must occupy either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU as their principal residence, and at no time receive rent for the owner-occupied unit.

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