Land Use Information

Land Use Ordinance (Click here to use the Town of Bar Harbor Land Use Ordinance Chapter 125)

For more information on the proposed amendments, use the contact information below.

Information About Public Engagement Opportunities For Potential Land Use Changes

1. Listening Session for Historic Properties Amendment

Purpose: The Planning and Code staff would like to share information and answer questions about a potential Land Use Ordinance amendment and its possible impacts to property owners of historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Listening Session Agenda

Date & Time: Thursday, September 28th (There are two sessions to accommodate different schedules) 

Morning Session: 9:00 AM

Evening Session: 4:30 PM

Location: Town Council Chambers - 93 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 

Links for the Zoom option: Morning Session Zoom link & Afternoon Session Zoom Link


2. Listening Session for Lodging Uses Amendment

Purpose: The Planning and Code staff would like to share information and answer questions about a potential Land Use Ordinance amendment and its possible impacts to property owners who own a lodging business.

Date & Time: Thursday, October 19th 

Location: Town Council Chambers - 93 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 

listening session mailer_public_notice
LodgingListeningSessionFlyer

Information About Potential Upcoming Land Use Amendments - June & November 2024 

1. LD 2003 - Increased Housing Opportunities [June 2024]

Purpose: To be in compliance with the new state laws created by the bill LD 2003 which is meant to increase the housing opportunities in Maine.

2. EMPLOYEE LIVING QUARTERS (ELQ) & SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS (SA) [June 2024]

Purpose: To expand the number of zoning districts where Employee Living Quarters and Shared Accommodations (1-3) are allowed.

3. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD [June 2024]

Purpose(s): 

  • Add some properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places to the purview of the Design Review Board by adding them to Appendix A.
  • Add and amend definitions related to design review and signage review.
  • Simplify the review process for signs.
  • Adjust the Design Review Overlay district boundaries. 
  • Minimize redundancy by removing Appendix B – Locally Significant Properties in Design Review Overlay District and all reference to it. 

4. LODGING USES [November 2024]

Purpose: To simplify and minimize the existing amount of lodging definitions located in Ch. 125 Land Use Ordinance. 



 

**  REMOTE PARTICIPATION INFORMATION  **


The Planning Board has adopted a Remote Participation Policy that allows it to use means of remote participation under certain circumstances.

 

To find out if remote participation will be an option, and if it is an option how to join a meeting via Zoom, go to https://www.barharbormaine.gov/282/Planning-Board.

 

All Planning Board meetings are broadcast live on Spectrum channel 7 (in Bar Harbor). They are also streamed online at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/bar_harbor_me and archived on that website for later viewing after the meeting.