Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 30-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 30-A, § 3101 (2026)

Eminent domain power

✓ current as of May 2026
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A municipality may acquire real estate or easements for any public use by using the condemnation procedure for town ways, as provided in Title 23, chapter 304, subject to the following provisions. The limitations set forth in this section do not apply to any taking authorized by any other law.   [PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §29 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
1.  Owner resides on land.  The municipality may not take any land without the consent of the owner if, at the time of the taking, the owner or the owner's family resides in a dwelling house located on the land.  
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
2.  Limitation on use.  Except as provided in paragraph A, land taken under this section may not be used for any purpose other than the purposes for which it was originally taken.  
A. Land in any municipality which is taken for a public park may, by authority of a majority vote of the municipal legislative body, be conveyed to the Federal Government to become part of a national park.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
3.  Business relocation benefits.  Whenever the acquisition of real property pursuant to this section results in the displacement of a business or farm, the municipality shall provide payment for moving and related expenses as applicable under Title 23, section 244.  
[PL 2005, c. 642, §4 (NEW).]
4.  Residence relocation benefits.  Whenever the acquisition of real property pursuant to this section results in the displacement of a person from a dwelling, the municipality shall provide payment for moving and related expenses, as well as replacement housing as applicable under Title 23, sections 244 to 244‑C.  
[PL 2005, c. 642, §4 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§A29,C8,C10 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 642, §4 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2000–2009 · leading case: Portland Co. v. City of Portland, 2009 ME 98 (Me. 2009).
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Portland Co. v. City of Portland, 2009 ME 98 (Me. 2009). · cites it 3× “The City cannot use its own eminent domain proceeding to argue that the Portland Company has no valid property interest.”
South Portland Assocs. v. City of South Portland, 746 A.2d 365 (Me. 2000). · cites it 3× “Municipal eminent domain powers are presently governed by 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3101 (1996). . A similar limitation is contained in 30-A M.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 30-A, § 3101(2) — 1 case
South Portland Assocs. v. City of South Portland, 746 A.2d 365 (Me. 2000). “Municipal eminent domain powers are presently governed by 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3101 (1996). . A similar limitation is contained in 30-A M.”
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