Recent changes to Maine’s Mandatory Shoreland Zoning laws will impact any property owners within 250 feet of a lake, wetland or river. In July, all Maine towns must update their shoreland zoning ordinances to comply with state mandated changes. Towns may adopt the exact ordinance written by the state, or amend it to meet their own needs. However, a town’s amendments must be more restrictive than the state’s in order to be approved.

“This is a little bit different than town-wide zoning,” explained Doug Webster, the Community Development Administrator in Gray. “The state retains oversight, and looks over the town’s shoul....