Scarborough, Maine

Scarborough, Maine Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 8/10
last updated 9/11/2020

What you need to know about Scarborough

Scarborough, Me has had excellent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) rules since 2002! They allow all types of ADUs by right. This means homeowners can build a 2nd small home on their property without applying for a special permit which saves time, aggravation, and money.

It’s also important to know that Scarborough refers to Accessory Dwelling Units as “Accessory Units”.

Opportunities in Scarborough, ME:

Sell your un-subdividable backyard
Build a small home to rent out
Create space for family
Type of Permit Required:

ADUs are allowed by right. Homeowners only need to apply for a building permit to build an ADU/small home in their backyard.

Scarborough does require homeowners to sign a form attesting they will owner occupy the property and follow the ADU rules.

Other ADU Rules in Scarborough:

Either the primary home or the ADU must be owner-occupied for at least 3 continuous months of the year
Neither the house nor the ADU can be used for short term rentals. Rental terms must be greater than 28 days
No more than 2 people can live in the ADU
The maximum size is calculated using a tier system, which is depicted at the end of this article
ADUs can be built on nonconforming lots, however, projects must abide by the district’s lot coverage ratios
For lots that rely on septic, the lot must adhere to Maine’s minimum lot size requirements
A minimum of 1 off-street parking place must be provided for the ADU
Only one ADU can be added per lot
The primary house and ADU must use the same utility meters unless the utility company refuses to do so. This does not apply to electric service (per Backyard ADU’s experience)
The single-family character of the home and neighborhood must be preserved
Exterior staircases cannot face the street unless the project is on a corner lot and there is no reasonable alternative
The ADU must be within 100’ of the primary house
Detached ADUs must be designed to look like a garage, barn, storage building, carriage house, accessory cottage, or other structure typically built alongside a single-family house