1. Application. This section applies to a legal instrument adopted or created after September 30, 2009 that defines or limits the rights or privileges of owners or renters with respect to the use of residential property.

[PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 33 Sec. 1423

  • Legal instrument: includes :
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 33 Sec. 1421
  • Residential property: means real property located in this State that is used for residential dwelling purposes. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 33 Sec. 1421
  • Solar clothes-drying device: means a clothes line, drying rack or other equipment used for solar drying of clothing. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 33 Sec. 1421
  • Solar energy device: means a solar collector or solar clothes-drying device. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 33 Sec. 1421
  • 2. Right to install and use solar energy devices. Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, a legal instrument subject to this section may not prohibit a person from installing or using:
    A. A solar energy device on residential property owned by that person; or [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]
    B. A solar clothes-drying device on residential property leased or rented by that person. [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]

    [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]

    3. Exception. A legal instrument subject to this section may prohibit the installation and use of solar energy devices on residential property in common ownership with 3rd parties or common elements of a condominium.

    [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]

    4. Reasonable restrictions. A legal instrument subject to this section may include reasonable restrictions on the installation and use of a solar energy device. For the purposes of this section, a reasonable restriction is any restriction that is necessary to protect:
    A. Public health and safety, including but not limited to ensuring safe access to and rapid evacuation of buildings; [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]
    B. Buildings from damage; [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]
    C. Historic or aesthetic values, when an alternative of reasonably comparable cost and convenience is available; or [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]
    D. Shorelands under shoreland zoning provisions pursuant to Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 2?B. [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]

    [PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).]

    SECTION HISTORY

    PL 2009, c. 273, §2 (NEW).