FAQs • York, ME • CivicEngage

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What kinds of uses are permitted on my property?: What zone or zones you are in determines what uses are permitted on your property. Once you have determined what zone(s) you are in you can look up the permitted uses for that zone(s) in Article Four of the Zoning Ordinance. Pay particular attention to any footnotes or performance standards that may apply.

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Zoning

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1. What zone am I in?: View the town’s Geographical Information System GIS Maps. Search for your property by selecting Owner, Address or Parcel ID and typing in the appropriate information and Clicking “Find It” then "Zoom to Parcel". The GIS will display your property. Go to “Quick Maps” and select "Base Zone Mapping" from the drop down list.

2. When do I need a Use Permit?: To establish any new use or to change from one use to another you need a Use Permit. Use Permits for Route One and changes in non-conforming uses are issued by the Planning Board. The Code Enforcement Office issues most other Use Permits.

3. What kinds of uses are permitted on my property?: What zone or zones you are in determines what uses are permitted on your property. Once you have determined what zone(s) you are in you can look up the permitted uses for that zone(s) in Article Four of the Zoning Ordinance. Pay particular attention to any footnotes or performance standards that may apply.

4. Can I be in more than one zone?: A property can be in more than one zone and can have one or more over-lying zones, such as Shoreland, Flood, and/or Watershed. These overlay districts can be displayed on the GIS program by selecting “layers” under the map, selecting the layer you wish to display, scroll to the bottom and click “Refresh Map”.

5. What are setbacks?: Setbacks are the horizontal distance between the property line and a use, such as a dwelling. Front setbacks are measured from the front property line not the road.

6. What are the setbacks for my property?: Setbacks are found in article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance for conforming lots. Look up setbacks for conforming lots. The setbacks for all non-conforming lots of record are found in section 17.3.4. Look up setbacks for non-conforming lots.

7. What is lot coverage?: Lot coverage is the ratio of impervious surfaces to lot size (see the definition of impervious surface ratio in Article Two of the Zoning Ordinance).

8. How much of my lot can I cover?: Lot coverage is given in Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance, footnote d, and in several special zones, such as the Water Protection Overlay District section 10.404.

9. Can I have a home occupation?: Home occupations are allowed in every zone that allows dwellings to varying degrees. The rules for home occupations are found in Section 7.4 Home Occupations (PDF).