Bill > LD427

This bill introduces new regulations for municipal parking space requirements, focusing on growth areas and residential developments. The legislation defines a "parking agreement" as a legally binding agreement between a property developer and an off-site parking facility owner to provide required parking spaces within 0.25 miles of a development site. In designated growth areas, municipalities are prohibited from requiring more than one off-street parking space per dwelling unit, though they may still impose maximum parking space requirements or parking demand management strategies. The bill mandates that municipalities allow developers to satisfy parking requirements through off-site parking agreements, provided they submit documentation proving sufficient parking capacity, such as a professional parking study. Municipalities are restricted from creating additional barriers to approving these parking agreements beyond verifying the parking supply's adequacy. The Maine Office of Community Affairs is authorized to adopt routine technical rules to administer and enforce these new parking regulations, which aim to reduce parking requirements and provide more flexibility for residential development in growth areas.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=427&snum=132