mmaalex t1_ixh4fmq wrote on November 23, 2022 at 12:08 PM

Lots of small towns have no zoning outside of the state mandated shoreland zoning, and septic permitting.

If you pick one of those towns just read their shoreland zoning laws, and pick a spot where you can legally build without needing to get planning board/code enforcement officer approval, and go for it. In the more rural areas of the state plenty of people have cheaper camps that are sheds, yurts, permanently parked campers, etc with no zoning issues.

Typically shoreland zoning covers 250ft to great ponds (10+ acres), and 100ft from streams/small ponds. There are two basic model zoning plans that the system put out in the early 90's, and towns adopted one or the other with some changes, so it does vary from town to town. Inside the zone it can be possible to build, depending on exactly what you want to do, but it all requires permits and approvals.

If you want an outhouse it will require a Septic permit, and if you build in the shoreland zone mentioned above they will likely make you get at least a gray water leachfield permitted and built. Composting toilets, and other similar systems don't require a permit.

stricly_business OP t1_ixh6wrv wrote on November 23, 2022 at 12:35 PM

Wow this was extremely helpful, thanks for sharing! It sounds like a small town will be our best option. We'd like something near the south of the state to be close to home, so hopefully there are some towns down there that fit the bill. Time to do some research!

mmaalex t1_ixh8g53 wrote on November 23, 2022 at 12:51 PM

There are however, property prices tend to be pretty high down south. The further you get away from Boston/Portland the cheaper stuff gets. Once you get out of the weekend driving range of Boston prices drop off a cliff pretty quick.

There are waterfront camp lots in interior Washington County (vicinity of Rt 9) available for <$50k.

I've found that Landwatch.com can be a good way to find cheaper rural acreage. Generally lower priced listing don't get the full MLS treatment because of the cost of listing.

stricly_business OP t1_ixhjj9x wrote on November 23, 2022 at 2:25 PM

Unfortunately, we are one of those weekend city folks from Boston, so we are kinda forced to look down south. I'll definitely check out Landwatch.com - thanks for all the tips!