The OOB Code of Ordinances

The official source

The complete code lives at library.municode.com/me/old_orchard_beach. Search by chapter, section, or keyword. The site is updated within a few weeks of each council adoption, so it is the version a court or code officer will rely on.

Older versions are available through Municode's archive view if you need to confirm what the rule was on a specific date.

Most-cited chapters for buyers

• Chapter 78, Zoning. Use districts, setbacks, lot coverage, density, and the lodging-to-condo conversion provisions. The single most important chapter for any property purchase.
• Chapter 30, Rental Licensing. The bi-annual rental license, inspection cycle, and short-term rental registration. If the property has ever been rented, this applies.
• Beach and dune ordinances. Restrictions on dune walking, vegetation removal, sand-fence placement, and beach fires.
• Ch. 14 (animals, including dogs on the beach, Sec. 14-6). From May 15 to Labor Day, no dogs are allowed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 5 p.m. to dusk, dogs must be leashed, 12 feet maximum. At other times they must be leashed or under voice and sight control. Keep dogs 100 feet from posted piping plover nesting areas, pick up after them, and note the $100 fine.
• Fireworks prohibition. Personal fireworks are banned in OOB year-round, even on July 4. The town fireworks display is the legal exception.
• Parking ordinance. Metered zones, residential permits, overnight restrictions, and seasonal beach lot rates.

How ordinances get amended

Council adopts amendments through a two-reading process. First reading introduces the proposed change. A public hearing is then noticed and held. Second reading and the formal vote follow at a later meeting. Most amendments take a minimum of four to six weeks from introduction to adoption, longer when staff is asked to redraft after the public hearing.

Recent amendments to watch

Two amendment streams have dominated the last twelve months.

• Chapter 78 lodging-to-condo conversion provisions, setting parking, density, and traffic-study conditions on motel and hotel conversions.
• Short-term rental ordinance review, including registration, inspection cycle, density caps, and enforcement penalties. Active workshops as of May 2026.

Where to read pending ordinances

Proposed ordinance text is included in the council meeting packet for each first reading. Packets and agendas are posted at oobmaine.com/minutes-meetings three to five days before each meeting. If a chapter you care about is on the agenda, the full proposed text is in that packet.