reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-B. Registration in 1990 and 1991

 §53-B. Registration in 1990 and 1991 An owner of land may register any designated portion of that land that qualifies as farmland under this chapter as follows.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).]1.  Registration dates.  Registration must occur between June 1st and June 15th of 1990 or 1991.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).] 2.  Place of registration.  Registration must occur in the office of the municipality in which the land is located. In the event there is no official municipal office, the registration must take place with the town assessor. In the event the farmland is located in the unorganized territory, the registration must take place in the office of the county in which the land is located.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).] 3.  Effective date.  A registration takes effect 15 days after receipt of notice by the municipality and abutting owners. If review proceedings are initiated under section 54, the registration is effective when upheld by the municipality.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).] 4.  Duration.  A registration made under this chapter within the time frame provided under subsection 1 that has not been withdrawn in accordance with section 53‑E remains in effect until April 1, 2013. To maintain registration under this chapter after April 1, 2013, a landowner must initially renew registration of the farmland in accordance with subsection 6 and every 5 years thereafter in accordance with section 53‑I, subsection 4.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).] 5.  Registry of deeds.  A copy of the municipal or county registration and any withdrawal bearing the certification of a notary public that the copy is a true and accurate copy must be recorded in the registry of deeds of the county in which the registered farmland or any abutting property is located, and must be indexed in the Grantor index under the entry "Farmland" and filed under "F."   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).] 6.  Renewal.  To renew a registration of farmland that was registered within the time frame provided under subsection 1, the landowner must submit to the department a copy of the notarized registration recorded with the registry of deeds under subsection 5 and comply with the renewal requirements under section 53‑I, subsection 4.   A landowner who is unable to demonstrate compliance with all registration requirements under this section may apply for registration under section 53‑I but after April 1, 2013 is no longer protected from inconsistent development under section 56, subsection 1.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §6 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-C (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-C. Registration contents and purpose

 §53-C. Registration contents and purpose The purpose of a registration is to provide a public record of the existence of actively used farmland in order to assist public disclosure and the setback of inconsistent development under section 56. A registration must include:   [PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (AMD).]1.  Landowner.  The name and address of the landowner;   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Certification.  Certification by the applicable soil and water conservation district that the land is farmland in accordance with the provisions of Title 12, section 6‑A;   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Farm and open space classification.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (RP).] 4.  Crops.  The types of farm products that are grown on the farmland to be registered;   [PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (AMD).] 5.  Acreage.  The acreage of farmland to be registered;   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 6.  Income.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (RP).] 7.  Maps.  A copy of the municipal tax map, when available, and a statement of the tax parcel number or numbers that include the land at issue and any other maps needed to clearly show the location of the land, including a depiction of the distance between areas producing farm products and any property boundary within 100 feet for farmland registered within the time frame provided under section 53‑B, subsection 1 and 50 feet for farmland registered pursuant to section 53‑I;   [PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (AMD).] 8.  Deed.  A copy of the registrant's deed; and   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 9.  Abutter.  The names and addresses of each abutting landowner to whom notice is being sent pursuant to section 53‑D.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] Records of registered farmland must be maintained by each municipality and county registry of deeds in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Registration must be on forms provided by the department.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §7 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-D (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-D. Notice of registration

 §53-D. Notice of registration An owner registering land as farmland shall notify all abutting landowners, as indicated on municipal or state tax records, by sending to the abutting landowners a statement of registration provided by the department. The owner shall send notification by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 2 days of submitting the registration in accordance with section 53‑B, subsection 2.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-E (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-E. Withdrawal

 §53-E. Withdrawal An owner of farmland shall withdraw from registration any farmland that no longer qualifies for registration under this chapter. An owner of registered farmland may withdraw farmland from registration at any time by filing a written notice of withdrawal in the office in which the farmland was registered and filing a notarized copy of the withdrawal notice for recording with the registry of deeds in the county or counties where the registration was recorded. Portions of a registered tract of farmland may be withdrawn. Withdrawal from registration under this chapter does not constitute withdrawal from classification under the Farm and Open Space Tax Law, Title 36, chapter 105, subchapter 10. Any abutter must be notified in the manner provided in section 53-D using a form provided by the department.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §8 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §8 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-F (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-F. Municipal registry (REPEALED)

 §53-F. Municipal registry (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §9 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-G (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-G. Fees (REPEALED)

 §53-G. Fees (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §10 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-H (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-H. Forms

 §53-H. Forms Forms provided by the department shall contain information to clarify the provisions of this chapter as follows.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).]1.  Application.  The application shall include an outline of the registration process and indicate the information necessary for certification under section 53‑A.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Registration.  The registration form shall include an outline of the registration process, adequate space for the applicant to enter the components required by section 53‑C and a separate sheet of information useful in filling out the form.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Notice of intent.  A notice of intent shall include a list of permitted uses, a list of precluded uses, the name of a contact person who can provide more information and an outline of the registration process and the remedies available to the abutter.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Notice to abutter.  A notice to abutters shall include a list of permitted uses, a list of precluded uses, an outline of the remedies available to the abutter and a copy of the registration form.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 5.  Notice of withdrawal.  A notice of withdrawal shall include a map of the area withdrawn, a map of any area remaining under registration and an indication of any impact the withdrawal has on the abutter.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 6.  Renewal.  The department shall provide forms for renewal of farmland registered within the time frame provided under section 53‑B, subsection 1 and forms for renewal of farmland registered pursuant to section 53‑I.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §11 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §11 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 53-I (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §53-I. Registration and renewal on or after July 1, 2012

 §53-I. Registration and renewal on or after July 1, 2012 Beginning on July 1, 2012, an owner of land may register any designated portion of that land that qualifies as farmland under this chapter by filing the information required under section 53‑C with the department and the appropriate registry of deeds in accordance with this section.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §12 (NEW).]1.  Registry of deeds.  Beginning on July 1, 2012, a landowner registering farmland under this chapter shall file a notarized copy of the completed registration form accompanied by the information required under section 53‑C with the registry of deeds of the county or counties in which the registered farmland and any abutting property is located.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §12 (NEW).] 2.  Effective date.  A registration is effective upon filing with the registry of deeds under subsection 1.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §12 (NEW).] 3.  Duration.  A registration made under this chapter remains effective for 5 years from the effective date unless withdrawn earlier in accordance with section 53‑E.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §12 (NEW).] 4.  Renewal.  A landowner may renew a registration under this chapter for successive 5-year periods. To renew a registration, a landowner must notify abutters as provided under section 53‑A, subsection 2 and submit a completed renewal application for certification by the soil and water conservation district under Title 12, section 6‑A. Upon receiving certification from the soil and water conservation district, the landowner must file a notarized copy of the renewed registration with the registry of deeds under subsection 1 and submit a copy to the department. When a landowner submits an application for renewal and a review under Title 12, section 6‑A prior to a registration lapsing, the registration on that farmland remains in effect until the application for renewal is approved or denied.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §12 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2011, c. 608, §12 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 54 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §54. Proceedings

 §54. Proceedings Notwithstanding Title 30‑A, sections 2691 and 4353, an abutting landowner or the municipality may initiate any of the following proceedings with the municipal board of appeals, or, if none, with the municipal officers. The department shall be notified of any action initiated under this section or section 57 in accordance with Title 30‑A, section 4353, subsection 3.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).]1.  Proceedings to determine eligibility of farmland for registration.  If the eligibility of any land for registration is questioned, the owner of the farmland shall have the burden of proving to the municipal body that the farmland meets the requirements for registration under this chapter. A proceeding under this subsection must commence within 15 days of the day notice of registration is received by the party initiating the proceeding.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Proceedings to determine continued eligibility of registered farmland.  Once in any 2-year period, a proceeding may be initiated to determine if the registered farmland continues to meet the requirements for registration under this chapter. The owner of registered farmland shall bear the burden of proof.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Appeals.  A decision made by a municipal body under this section may be appealed by any aggrieved party as allowed by law for appeals of decisions made by a municipal board of appeals.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Assistance from department.  The department shall provide technical assistance and issue written advisory opinions in connection with the determinations a municipal body must make under this section.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 5.  Order to withdraw.  If the department or a municipality finds that farmland registered under this chapter is not eligible for registration, the department or municipality shall order the landowner to file for withdrawal under section 53‑E.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §13 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §13 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 55 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §55. Disclosure required (REPEALED)

 §55. Disclosure required (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §14 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 56 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §56. Prohibited acts

 §56. Prohibited acts 1.  Inconsistent development.  An owner of abutting land may not undertake or allow any inconsistent development upon or use of land within 100 feet of registered farmland that was properly registered within the time frame provided under section 53‑B, subsection 1 and has been continuously and properly registered since the initial registration.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (AMD).] 1-A.  Incompatible use.  Except as provided in section 57, an owner of abutting land may not undertake or allow an incompatible use within 50 feet of farmland properly registered under section 53‑I.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (NEW).] 2.  Building permit.  Except as provided in section 57, a municipality may not issue a building or use permit allowing any development or use that is prohibited under subsection 1 or 1-A.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (AMD).] 3.  Exemption.  This section does not apply to:   A. For land adjacent to farmland registered within the time frame provided under section 53‑B, subsection 1, a lot or parcel of land that, together with any adjoining lot or parcel in the same ownership, was one acre or less in area as of January 1, 1988;   [PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (AMD).]A-1. For land adjacent to farmland registered pursuant to section 53‑I, a lot or parcel of land that, together with any adjoining lot or parcel in the same ownership, was one acre or less in area as of January 1, 2012;   [PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (NEW).]B. Those subdivisions for which a completed application as described in former Title 30, section 4956, subsection 2, paragraph C‑1, or Title 30‑A, section 4403, subsection 3, has been filed or approved in the 2 years preceding the registration; or   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).]C. A lot on which inconsistent development or incompatible use has been allowed by permit granted by a state or local government in the 2 years preceding the registration.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (AMD).][PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §15 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 57 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §57. Variance

 §57. Variance An owner of real estate may apply to the municipal zoning board of appeals or other municipal body hearing zoning appeals, or, in the case of areas within its jurisdiction, the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, for a variance permitting an inconsistent development upon or incompatible use of land that is otherwise prohibited under section 56. Notwithstanding Title 30‑A, section 4353, subsection 4, a variance may be issued if adherence to section 56 renders a parcel of land subdivided prior to registration of the farmland unusable for residential purposes. Any variance granted for such a purpose must be conditioned to provide the maximum feasible setback from the abutting registered farmland.   [PL 2011, c. 608, §16 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 682, §38 (REV).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §16 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 682, §38 (REV).
7 ME Rev Stat § 58 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §58. Enforcement and penalties

 §58. Enforcement and penalties 1.  Enforcement.  Proceedings to enforce any provision of this chapter may be brought by a municipality, county or any aggrieved person. Such proceedings may be initiated in accordance with the provisions of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80B, as applicable.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Penalties.  Any violation of this chapter shall be punishable as follows.   A. [PL 2011, c. 608, §17 (RP).] B. Any inconsistent development upon or use of land in violation of this chapter may be removed or discontinued by order of the court in a proceeding to enforce this chapter, and the court may fashion any other appropriate equitable remedy consistent with the purposes of this chapter.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).]C. Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter shall, in addition to the other provisions of this section, be subject to the civil penalties and enforcement procedures for land use laws and ordinances in Title 30‑A, section 4452.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).][PL 2011, c. 608, §17 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 608, §17 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 59 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-B: REGISTRATION OF FARMLAND|7 §59. Other laws not affected

 §59. Other laws not affected Nothing in this chapter may affect the legal rights, remedies or liabilities of persons arising out of negligence or other wrongful acts or omissions involving the use of pesticides or other agricultural chemicals.   [PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1989, c. 478, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 60 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-C: VOLUNTARY MUNICIPAL FARM SUPPORT PROGRAM|7 §60. Definitions

 §60. Definitions As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).]1.  Farm support arrangement.  "Farm support arrangement" means an arrangement that meets requirements established by the department by rule under which:   A. The owner of qualified farmland grants to a municipality a qualified easement; and   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).]B. The municipality obligates itself to make farm support payments.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).][PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Farm support payments.  "Farm support payments" means annual payments by a municipality during the term of a qualified easement:   A. In an amount up to 100% of the annual property taxes assessed by that municipality against land and buildings subject to a qualified easement up to the fair market value of the easement; and   [PL 2007, c. 693, §1 (AMD).]B. To the person against whom the property taxes are assessed.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).][PL 2007, c. 693, §1 (AMD).] 3.  Qualified easement.  "Qualified easement" means an agricultural conservation easement held by a municipality on qualified farmland in that municipality that:   A. Meets standards adopted by rule by the department designed to ensure that no development other than development related to agricultural use occurs on the qualified farmland; and   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).]B. Is limited to a term of not less than 20 years.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).][PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Qualified farmland.  "Qualified farmland" means farmland that meets eligibility requirements established by the department by rule.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 693, §1 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 60-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 2-C: VOLUNTARY MUNICIPAL FARM SUPPORT PROGRAM|7 §60-A. Program established

 §60-A. Program established 1.  Program.  In order to protect and support local farms, preserve farmland and reduce the potential tax burdens from new development, a municipality may enter into farm support arrangements with the owners of qualified farmland.   A. A farm support arrangement must be approved by majority vote of the municipality’s legislative body.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).]B. Unless approved by a 2/3 vote of the municipality’s legislative body, the municipality may not enter into farm support arrangements:   (1) Affecting more than 3% of the total annual valuation of taxable land in the municipality; and   (2) In any calendar year, affecting more than 1% of the total annual valuation of taxable land in the municipality.   [PL 2007, c. 693, §2 (AMD).][PL 2007, c. 693, §2 (AMD).] 2.  Effects of arrangement.  A farm support arrangement may not diminish the eligibility of qualified farmland for participation in tax benefits under Title 36, chapter 105, subchapter 2‑A or 10 or for consideration under Title 5, Part 15-A by the Land for Maine’s Future Board.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Nullification.  A farm support arrangement, once finally executed, is binding on the municipality. A municipality may not cease to make payments under the arrangement unless the land subject to the qualified easement is taken by eminent domain or state law otherwise authorizes the payments to cease. In the event that a municipality’s obligation to make farm support payments ceases, the farm support arrangement and the related qualified easement are void and may not be given effect and the municipality shall provide notice of this fact to the owner of the qualified farmland and record that notice with the appropriate registry of deeds.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Rules.  The department shall adopt rules governing farm support arrangements. Rules adopted under this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.   [PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2007, c. 301, §1 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 693, §2 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 61 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 3: COUNTY AND LOCAL SOCIETIES|7 §61. Property management (REPEALED)

 §61. Property management (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 2005, c. 563, §2 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 62 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 3: COUNTY AND LOCAL SOCIETIES|7 §62. Stipend for clubs and societies (REPEALED)

 §62. Stipend for clubs and societies (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1965, c. 233, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1965, c. 436, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1967, c. 31 (AMD). PL 1969, c. 148, §1 (AMD). PL 1971, c. 45 (AMD). PL 1971, c. 91, §1 (AMD). PL 1975, c. 465, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 1975, c. 771, §99 (AMD). PL 1977, c. 96, §1 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 124, §1 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 541, §B5 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 672, §§12-14 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 180, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 395, §A31 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 759, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 388, §2 (AMD). RR 1997, c. 2, §25 (COR). PL 1997, c. 528, §2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 563, §2 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 63 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 3: COUNTY AND LOCAL SOCIETIES|7 §63. Certification for payment (REPEALED)

 §63. Certification for payment (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 2005, c. 563, §2 (RP).