Zoning

One of the City’s major planning tools is its zoning ordinance. This ordinance outlines the types of land uses permitted in various locations throughout the City. Zones range from single-family residential to high intensity commercial and industrial. The overall intent of zoning is to insure the compatibility of land uses throughout Bangor. Zoning also provides a measure of predictability to land owners or potential land owners by providing them with information regarding the types of uses permitted on their property as well as on surrounding properties. Potential property owners are advised to check both the City’s Zoning District Map and Comprehensive Plan to determine what types of development are currently allowed or may be allowed in the future.

A property owner may apply for a zone change by submitting a zone change application to the Planning Office, located on the second floor of Bangor City Hall, along with the established processing fee and a newspaper advertising fee. Any zone change request must comply with the provisions of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Once a zone change application has been received, it is placed on the City Council agenda for first reading and referral to the Planning Board where a public hearing is scheduled. Adjacent property owners are sent notices of the proposed change, and both opponents and proponents have the opportunity to speak at the public hearing. The Planning Board then makes a recommendation to the City Council based on the City’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. The City Council then votes to either approve or reject the proposed zone change request. If approved, the change becomes effective ten days after Council action.

Applicants and potential applicants are urged to meet with Planning staff in advance of any formal request for a zone change.

Parcel Viewer

Map of Historic Districts and Buildings/Landmarks

Zoning Notices

Zone Change Application

Land Development Code Amendment (Zone Change) Procedures

A.  The Bangor Land Development Code Requires:

1. Applications (download below) for zoning amendment must be filed in the Planning Division Office at City Hall (with necessary advertising and processing fees).
2. A Council Ordinance containing the proposed zoning amendment will be drawn up by the Planning Office and placed on the Council Agenda.
3. A public hearing must be scheduled to be held by the Planning Board on the proposed amendment (the City Council can take no action until after the Planning Board hearing and report).
4. A notice of the public hearing must be placed in a newspaper at least 14 days prior to the hearing.  A notice must be mailed to owners of abutting property within 100 feet of the property subject to rezoning action.
5. Recommendations to the City Council must be approved by a majority of all members of the Board present and voting.
6. After receipt of the Planning Board recommendation, the City Council must act on the zone change request.  (However, a proposed amendment which has been disapproved by the Planning Board may only be enacted by a 2/3 vote of the City Council).

B.  Scheduling

1. A zone change request must be received by the Planning Office at least three weeks prior to the time of the Planning Board meeting at which the hearing will be held (because of the time required for placement of legal advertisements in the newspaper and initiation of the request on the City Council Agenda).
2. The Planning Board routinely meets twice a month on the first and third Tuesday at 7:00 PM and the City Council meets twice a month on the second and fourth Monday at 7:30 PM (except holidays).

C.  Notification

You will receive notice of the public hearings held by the Planning Board.  After the Planning Board has voted on its recommendation to the City Council concerning your application, the City Council will consider your application.  You will not receive formal notice of the City Council meeting.  If you have any questions regarding the status of your application, you should contact the Planning Office, City Hall, 992-4280.

Application for Land Development Code and Map Amendment (Zone Change)