The OOB Comprehensive Plan
The 10-year roadmap for zoning, development, infrastructure, and town priorities. Currently in active draft review.
What a comprehensive plan does
Maine's Growth Management Act requires every municipality to maintain a comprehensive plan. The plan sets the policy basis for the zoning ordinance, capital improvement plan, and most state and federal funding applications. In short, it is the document that decides where housing, commercial growth, conservation, and public investment go for the next decade.
Current status
The first draft of the current update is in public review on the Planning Department site as of 2026. The Comprehensive Plan Committee meets twice a month during the drafting phase, with public workshops and a formal hearing before the council adopts.
Major themes in the draft
- Housing supply, including year-round workforce and senior options.
- Year-round residency, with attention to converting seasonal stock without losing tax base.
- Climate resilience, including sea-level rise, storm surge, and stormwater capacity.
- Downtown revitalization, focused on the Pier-area mix of retail, housing, and parking.
- Dune restoration, working with state and FEMA partners on Grand Beach and Kinney Shores.
How to comment
Public hearings are posted on oobmaine.com under news and meeting agendas. Written comments can be sent to the Planning Department at Town Hall, 1 Portland Avenue, OOB 04064. The committee reviews and incorporates public comment between draft revisions, and a final hearing precedes the council adoption vote.
History of the plan
OOB's last full comprehensive plan dates to the 1986 era, with updates and addenda since. The current effort is a generational rewrite, not a tune-up, and is expected to drive material changes to the zoning ordinance after adoption.
What it means for buyers
New zoning that follows from the plan can affect short-term rental rules, lodging-to-condo conversion conditions, allowed density, height limits, and setbacks. If you are buying a property whose value depends on a specific use, including STR income or a future addition, read the draft before closing and confirm the current district rules with the Code Enforcement Office.
Compiled from Town of Old Orchard Beach, RSU 23, FEMA, Maine Revenue Service, US Census, MLS, and field interviews. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed; verify before any transaction.