ME LD997

Municipalities must allow residential units in buildings located in commercial zones, including vacant or partially vacant retail properties, with an exception for areas where flooding or natural hazards make buildings unfit for residential use

Municipalities may limit the number of residential units in commercial developments, require ground-floor commercial use, and adopt siting and design standards as long as they don't discourage development through unreasonable costs or delays

Municipal ordinances regulating residential development in commercial zones cannot impose restrictions more stringent than those in existing state housing statutes (sections 4364, 4364-A, or 4364-B)

The Housing Opportunity Program agency may adopt routine technical rules to administer and enforce the law

Municipalities must comply with these requirements beginning July 1, 2027