Homesteading in Maine
Explore 16 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in Maine.
Maine uses a Riparian water rights system , allows county-level building code enforcement , and has constitutional carry. The effective property tax rate is 1.09%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Riparian
Follows riparian doctrine modified by statute. Significant withdrawals require reporting and some require permits under the In-Stream Flow and Water Level Program.
Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 38, § 470-A et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: No (county-level)
Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code is adopted statewide but enforcement is optional for towns under 4,000 population.
Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 10, § 9721 et seq.
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: Yes
Permitless concealed carry for persons 21 and older (18 for military) effective 2015. Open carry legal without a permit.
Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 25, § 2001-A
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations from nuisance suits if using best management practices. Also protects farms from restrictive municipal ordinances that unreasonably restrict farming.
Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2805
Counties in Maine
16 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin County | 111,532 | $211,800 | $2,859 | 74 | Relatively Low |
| Aroostook County | 67,237 | $125,400 | $1,562 | 64 | Relatively Low |
| Cumberland County | 303,357 | $372,900 | $4,372 | 75 | Relatively Low |
| Franklin County | 29,839 | $170,600 | $1,948 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Hancock County | 55,851 | $250,900 | $2,382 | 72 | Relatively Low |
| Kennebec County | 124,003 | $198,300 | $2,443 | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Knox County | 40,729 | $260,800 | $3,415 | 74 | Very Low |
| Lincoln County | 35,466 | $276,400 | $2,789 | 74 | Very Low |
| Oxford County | 58,276 | $176,800 | $2,107 | 72 | Relatively Low |
| Penobscot County | 152,640 | $176,700 | $2,340 | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Piscataquis County | 16,936 | $137,800 | $1,429 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Sagadahoc County | 36,868 | $268,600 | $3,219 | 74 | Very Low |
| Somerset County | 50,656 | $150,500 | $1,836 | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Waldo County | 39,772 | $210,600 | $2,499 | 72 | Very Low |
| Washington County | 31,096 | $135,400 | $1,619 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| York County | 212,691 | $323,500 | $3,574 | 76 | Relatively Moderate |
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