Bill > LD907

This bill amends Maine's zoning ordinance variance law to provide more flexible rules for homeowners with family members who have permanent disabilities. Specifically, the bill modifies existing regulations to allow property owners who are responsible for transporting a person with a permanent disability to potentially obtain a variance for constructing a storage and parking structure. The key changes remove previous restrictions that limited the variance to a noncommercial vehicle owned by the disabled person and eliminated specific size constraints on the storage structure. The bill requires the person with the disability to prove their condition is permanent through a preponderance of evidence, and allows the zoning board to authorize such a variance if their ordinance permits. By broadening the language, the bill appears intended to create more accommodating zoning rules for families caring for individuals with permanent disabilities, giving them greater flexibility in creating necessary parking and storage spaces on their property.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=907&snum=132