The Responsibilities of Owning Lakeside Land
Owning lakefront property or a home within a watershed comes with a profound level of responsibility. While our waterways are protected by entities like the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the 7 Lakes Alliance, the ultimate responsibility for their health lies with landowners.
Shoreland Zoning Laws
The first assignment for any shoreland property owner is to understand local rules. The State’s Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act creates a baseline standard of oversight for land areas within 250 feet of ponds, rivers, and wetlands, and within 75 feet of certain streams. However, in the Belgrade Lakes Region, our municipalities have individual ordinances that go well beyond state guidelines. Because standards vary by town, always review local ordinances on town websites or speak directly with the local Code Enforcement Officer.
Mandatory Septic Inspections
As real estate professionals, we have a strict duty to inform clients of Maine State Law that mandates a specific protocol when transferring any property within the Shoreland Zone.
Buyers must have the septic system inspected by a state-certified inspector prior to purchase, though they have up to nine months post-closing if winter weather prevents it. Sellers must provide a written statement disclosing whether the system has malfunctioned during the 180 days preceding the closing. An inspection is waived if the system is less than 3 years old or has a certified inspection report less than 3 years old. If an inspection reveals a malfunctioning system, it must be repaired or replaced within one year of the property transfer.
Protecting Your Investment
The health of our lakes is the primary driving force behind local property values, the economy, and our livelihoods. Dedicated local conservation groups rely heavily on homeowners to fund and execute critical work, including invasive aquatic plant removal, courtesy boat inspections, and soil erosion control.
If you are looking to buy, sell, or maintain a waterfront home, reach out to your lake’s conservation group or the 7 Lakes Alliance to see how you can help. Most importantly, verify before you modify. Before making any physical changes to your home, dock, or land, always consult your local code enforcement officer. Protecting our shoreline is an investment in our collective future.
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