On Wednesday, March 9, the Maine Senate enacted a bill from Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, with unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill, LD 1809, “An Act To Allow Exceptions to the Height Limitations under the Shoreland Zoning Laws,” will help owners of shoreline property protect their homes and afford flood insurance amid rising water levels.

“This bill will ensure that homeowners can raise their properties higher off the ground as they respond to rising water levels,” said Sen. Brenner. “This is about making sure folks can adapt to the effects of climate change as it continues to impact different aspects of life here in Maine, which will be especially important in communities like ours. I thank my colleagues for their support.”

Currently, height limitations in the state Shoreland Zoning Act can pose a conflict with standards set forth in the National Flood Insurance Program, which require a property’s lowest floor to be a minimum of 1 foot above the base flood elevation.

As flood water levels continue to rise, the need for homeowners to raise their properties off the ground to protect their investment will continue. However, state law currently

limits the maximum height of a structure, while at the same time federal standards require properties be a certain height above base flood elevation.

By changing state law to allow properties to be modified for compliance with federal guidelines, property owners will be able to raise their homes to protect them from flooding, while also maintaining the ability to hold reasonably priced flood insurance.

LD 1809 will now go to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills, who has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.