Land Use Changes
Chapter 125, the Town's Land Use Ordinance, guides the Town's land use decisions. Any proposed changes to the Town's Land Use Ordinance should align with the vision, goals, and/or strategies outlined in the Town's comprehensive plan.
Land Use Ordinance (Click here to view the Town of Bar Harbor Land Use Ordinance Chapter 125)
Land Use Ordinance (Click here to view the Town of Bar Harbor Land Use Ordinance Chapter 125)
Land Use Amendment Language
Proposed Land Use Ordinance Amendments for the June 9, 2026 Ballot Vote
- LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - LU-2025-01 - Holy Redeemer
- The amendment to the Official Neighborhood Districts Map would rezone the Holy Redeemer Church located at 56 Mount Desert Street, Tax Map 104, Lot 419, from the Mount Desert Street Corridor District to the abutting Downtown Residential District.
- Amendment Link
- LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – LUO-2026-01 - Design Review
- The amendment would repeal and replace Article XIII, Design Review, to improve clarity, readability, and usability. It would also amend and create new definitions.
- Amendment Link
- LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – LUO-2026-02 - Campgrounds and Campsites
- The amendment standardizes campground and camping-related definitions, clarifying terminology and allowed uses across all zoning districts. It redesignates Individual Private Campsite as a principal use in specified districts, effectively removing it as an accessory use. Standards for Individual Private Campsites would be consolidated into a single section of the Land Use Ordinance to facilitate consistent application town-wide.
- Amendment Link
- LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – LUO-2026-03 - Minimum Area Per Family
- The amendment would remove the minimum area per family requirement in certain districts to increase the potential for housing development. Minimum area per family refers to the minimum area on a lot required for each dwelling unit and is different than the minimum lots size requirement.
- Amendment Link
- LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – LUO-2026-04 - Lodging Regulations
- The amendment would remove some lodging uses from certain districts, while allowing all existing lodging operations to continue as nonconforming uses without opportunity for expansion. The definition for Lodging II, III, VI, and VII would be changed to include minimum number of guest unit and maximum guest capacity requirements. Guest capacity would be calculated using the State Fire Marshal’s method.
- Amendment Link
Background Information on the Amendments
- Frequently Asked Questions
- First round of FAQs (published 3.16.26)
- Second round of FAQs (coming soon)
- Questions will be accepted up until Friday, March 20 by 5:00 PM for the second round of FAQs
- Send questions to mgagnon@barharbormaine.gov if they relate to LUO-2025-01; LUO-2026-01; LUO-2026-02; or LUO-2026-04
- Send questions to cmartinez@barharbormaine.gov if they relate to LUO-2026-03
- March 12 Q&A Session
- Presentation slides
- Event Recording (start at 7:05)
- March 9 Warrant Committee Presentation on the proposed amendments
- January 20, 2026 Presentation to the Town Council on the proposed amendments
- Presentation on Holy Redeemer, Design Review, Campground and Campsites, and Lodging
- Presentation on Minimum Area Per Family
- A recording of this Town Council meeting is available on Town Hall Streams
Informational Sessions/Events
Two Q&A sessions were held on March 12, at noon and in the evening, to review four proposed Land Use Ordinance amendments for the June ballot. The sessions began with a 20-30 minute presentation providing an overview of the changes, followed by a question-and-answer period. The staff presentation reviewed the proposed Land Use Ordinance amendments listed below.
- Building Design: LUO-2026-01 - Design Review
- Camping: LUO-2026-02 - Campgrounds and Campsites
- Hotels: LUO-2026-04 - Lodging Regulations
- Housing: LUO-2026-03 - Minimum Area Per Family
Information on Land Use Ordinance Amendments Underway
There are currently XX amendments being discussed to eventually be proposed to voters once enough feedback is collected and/or all important revisions have been completed.
Planning Project Archive
If you are curious about past Land Use Ordinance amendments, check out our project archive.
Contact Us
For more information on the proposed amendments, use the contact information below.
- Code Enforcement Officer — Michael Gurtler
- Email: mgurtler@barharbormaine.gov
- Planning Director — Michele Gagnon
- Email: planner@barharbormaine.gov
- Planning & Code Enforcement Department
- Phone: 207-288-3329