Living In A Camper: Exploring Maine's Unique Lifestyle

With the rising popularity of RVs and campers, many people are considering alternative living arrangements. In Maine, it is legal to live in an RV, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Local zoning laws and ordinances dictate where you can park your RV, and access to water and sewer connections may be necessary for long-term stays. While some towns, like Portland, restrict RV parking on the street to 24 hours, other towns and cities may have different regulations. Additionally, RV parks in Maine offer year-round accommodations, providing options for those seeking a more permanent solution. Understanding the local laws and planning ahead is crucial for anyone considering this unique lifestyle in Maine.

Camper trailer registration requirements

If you're looking to register a camper trailer in Maine, there are a few things you need to know and some requirements you need to meet. Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between registering a dealer-purchased camper trailer and one purchased through a private sale.

Dealer-Purchased Camper Trailer Registration:

• Pay the excise tax at your town office. This is a municipal tax, so you'll need to contact your local municipal office for specific information.
• Pay the appropriate registration fee.
• If you wish to have a vanity plate, you can get one for an additional annual fee of $25.00. You can check the availability of vanity plates online.

Camper Trailer Purchased Through Private Sale Registration:

• Pay the excise tax at your town office, as per the dealer-purchased process.
• Pay sales tax, which is 5.5% of the purchase price.
• Pay the appropriate registration fee.
• As with dealer-purchased trailers, vanity plates are available for an additional fee and their availability can be checked online.

Renewing a Camper Trailer Registration:

To renew a camper trailer registration, you can use the Online Camper Trailer Renewal Service. However, if your municipality does not participate in the registration program, you will need to visit a BMV branch office. Contact your local municipal office to confirm their participation in the program.

• Pay the appropriate registration fee.
• Vanity plates are available for the same additional fee as new registrations.

It's important to note that camper trailer registration requirements may vary depending on local zoning laws and ordinances, so always check with your specific municipality for any additional steps or restrictions.

Local zoning laws

All towns regulate the placement of RVs within Shoreland Zoned areas, which typically apply to all land within 250 feet of a lake, river, or ocean. Many towns and cities further regulate RVs in all areas of the community and usually prohibit short-term or year-round living in an RV in more urban areas unless within a licensed campground.

If your property is within a planned neighborhood, an approved subdivision with a homeowner's association, or a condominium, recreational vehicles are likely to be either strictly regulated or completely prohibited. This would be outlined in the covenant within the deed or within the homeowner's association bylaws. These private developments can legally discriminate against RVs, even if they are registered for over-the-road use.

Within Shoreland Zone areas, there are requirements for minimum lot sizes, setbacks, clearing, and the number of days per year of use. If you plan to use an RV for less than 120 days, you will need a permit from the code enforcement officer for temporary placement on a private lot that is not licensed as a campground. For placement and use of an RV for more than 120 days, you will need to install a well and leach field in addition to obtaining a permit from the code enforcement officer and registering your motor vehicle.

RV parking restrictions

While it is legal to live in an RV in Maine, there are several parking restrictions that you should be aware of. These restrictions vary depending on the type of property and location within the state. Here is an overview of the RV parking restrictions in Maine:

• Local Zoning Laws and Ordinances: It is important to adhere to local zoning laws and ordinances that govern where you can park your RV. These regulations can vary from one area to another, so make sure to familiarise yourself with the specific rules applicable to your desired location.
• Access to Utilities: If you plan to park your RV in one place or on your own land permanently, you will need to ensure access to water and sewer facilities. This is an important consideration for long-term stays.
• Shoreland Zoned Areas: All towns in Maine regulate the placement of RVs within Shoreland Zoned areas, which typically include land within 250 feet of a lake, river, or ocean. These regulations often prohibit short-term or year-round RV living in more urban areas unless within a licensed campground.
• Planned Neighborhoods and Homeowner Associations: If you plan to park your RV in a planned neighbourhood, an approved subdivision with a homeowner's association, or a condominium, be aware that these areas usually have strict regulations or even prohibitions on RV parking. Check the covenants within the deed, development plan, or homeowner's association bylaws before considering RV parking in such developments.
• Public Ways: Maine has specific rules regarding parking on public ways. For example, vehicles must not be parked on the travelled portion of a public way outside of a business or residence district if it is practicable to park off the way. Additionally, parked vehicles must not obstruct the view of approaching vehicles and must maintain a clear width of at least 10 feet for the free passage of other vehicles.
• State Park Campgrounds: While RVs are allowed at most state park campgrounds in Maine, there are size restrictions designated on each campground map. These restrictions are indicated by symbols, such as "S" for small pop-up or tent up to 20 feet, "M" for a medium-sized camper up to 25 feet, and so on.

RV park accommodations

There are dozens of RV parks in Maine, each with its own unique perks. Here is a detailed list of some of the best RV park accommodations in the state:

Cathedral Pines Campground

Located amidst a beautiful 300-acre plot of red pine trees, this campground offers several amenities, including flush toilets, shower facilities, onsite laundry, a dump station, WiFi, a playground, boat ramp, docking facilities, and canoe and kayak rentals. It also caters to group camping events and has separate areas to ensure noise control.

Schoodic Woods Campground

This campground serves as a base camp for exploring Acadia, a cluster of islands off the Atlantic Coast. It features 43 sites, hiking and biking trails, a dump station, flush toilets, WiFi, picnic tables, and fire pits. All sites are within a 15-minute walk of the ocean.

Searsport Shores Oceanfront Campground

Considered the premier mid-coast RV park in Maine, Searsport Shores is perched on the shores of Penobscot Bay. It offers on-site activities, walking trails, recreational facilities, fire pits, picnic tables, and oceanfront campsites. It is conveniently located between Acadia National Park and the charming Camden village.

Camden Hills State Park

This RV park offers water and electric hookups and bathrooms with showers. It is just a short drive from the quintessential New England town of Camden, which features shops and a working harbor within walking distance.

Palmyra Golf & RV Resort

This RV park combines stunning sites with a championship-length golf course. It offers full hookup sites, a pool, shuffleboard courts, a camp store, and indoor bathroom facilities. It is a perfect destination for golf enthusiasts.

Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

This quiet RV resort is located within driving distance of many Maine attractions. It offers full hookups, a dog park, exercise area, onsite laundry facilities, and WiFi. While it caters to adults, guests with children are also welcome.

Balsam Woods Campground

Balsam Woods is an ATV enthusiast's dream, offering direct access to approximately 1,000 miles of designated Maine ATV trails. It provides full hookups, cable TV, WiFi, a large parking area for guest ATVs, a public beach, restrooms with showers, onsite laundry, a heated swimming pool, and various outdoor activities.

Houlton/Canadian Border KOA

As the closest campground to the Maine/Canadian border, this 105-acre park features walking trails and ponds. It offers full hookups, a dog park, a basketball half-court, a recreation room, and WiFi.

Sunset Point RV Trailer Park

Sunset Point offers stunning views of Johnson Bay and easy access to West Quoddy Lighthouse and Sail Rock, the easternmost point in the U.S. It provides electric and water hookups, a dump station, mobile sewer service, onsite laundry, WiFi, restrooms with showers, and a camp store.

Wild Duck Campground & RV Park

This adult-only RV park offers big-rig friendly sites, full hookups, cable TV, WiFi, canoe and kayak rentals, modern restrooms with showers, and a camp store. It caters to honeymooners and retirees along the Southern Maine coastline.

Camper trailer costs

The cost of a camper trailer in Maine varies depending on the style and features you're after. A moderately-appointed camper trailer that's pulled behind a truck could cost you around $20,000, whereas a fifth-wheel may be closer to $40,000. If you're looking for a motorhome, prices usually start at around $100,000.

When it comes to registering your camper trailer in Maine, there are a few costs to consider. Firstly, you'll need to pay excise tax at your town office. Excise tax is a municipal tax, so the amount will vary depending on your location. On top of this, there's the registration fee itself, which is $99 for five years—a very attractive deal compared to other states. If you want a vanity plate, that will cost an additional $25 per year.

If you're buying your camper trailer from a private seller rather than a dealer, you'll also need to pay sales tax, which is 5.5% of the purchase price.

It's worth noting that Maine has specific rules around where you can park your camper trailer. Local zoning laws and ordinances may dictate where you're allowed to park, and you may need access to water and sewer if you plan to stay in one place long-term. Additionally, if you're parking within a Shoreland Zone (within 250 feet of a lake, river, or ocean), there are minimum lot size, setback, clearing, and usage requirements. For example, if you want to use a recreational vehicle within a Shoreland Zone for more than 120 days per year, you'll need to install a well and leach field on top of obtaining a permit from the code enforcement officer.

Frequently asked questions