Rules and Regulations

This page provides information about rules administered by the Maine Forest Service. 

Please note that all timber harvesting and related activities must also comply with any applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and ordinances. 

It is your responsibility, as landowner, Licensed Forester, or logger, to know and understand what rules, including municipal ordinances, apply to your timber harvesting and related activities.

Maine Forest Service strongly recommends that you:

  1. check with the town or municipality about any local ordinances that may apply to your activity.
  2. are familiar with ALL rules that apply to your activity BEFORE you begin your activities.
  3. plan your harvest well in advance!

If you have questions about the rules listed here, please contact your District Forester.

Timber Harvesting

Forest Practices Act

Chapter 20 Rule: Forest Regeneration and Clearcutting Standards (Forest Practices Act)
(portion of October 26, 2022 Webinar)

Chapter 20 Rules: Harvest Planning for Clearcuts
(October 12, 2022 Webinar)

Forest Operations Notification Standards

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas

As of January 1, 2013 organized towns that have decided to adopt statewide standards for timber harvesting and related activities in shoreland areas have had statewide standards go into effect. 

Towns that have either elected to retain their old shoreland zoning ordinance for timber harvesting or not taken action on statewide standards will continue under their old shoreland zoning rules until they take action.

Areas under the administration of the Land Use Planning Commission (formerly known as LURC) will also continue under current rules for the time being (see MFS Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State). 

Chapter 21 Rule: Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas
(portion of October 26, 2022 Webinar)

Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State

Chapter 27 Rules: Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State
(portion of October 26, 2022 Webinar)

Stop Work Order

Timber Trespass and Timber Theft

Fee Schedule

Standards for Placing Wood into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat

Liquidation Harvesting

Public Law 2003, Chapter 422 (LD 1616), An Act to Promote Stewardship of Forest Resources

Liquidation Timber Harvest Plan Guide (PDF | 17 KB)

Sample Subdivision Review Process for New Criterion #20 for Municipal Planning Boards

File Format: (PDF | 27 KB) | (Word | 204 KB)
Dated: April 10, 2008

Petition for Variance

Chapter 23 Rule: Timber Harvesting Standards to Substantially Eliminate Liquidation Harvesting
(portion of October 26, 2022 Webinar)

Maine DEP Exemption Letter for Certified Erosion Control Forestry Contractors (PDF | 70 KB)

Fire Safety

Forest Health

Boundary Paint Marking Standards

Additional Information on Rules and Regulations from our Be Woods Wise website

Rules and Regulations from Other State of Maine Agencies

For activities entering a state or state aid highway

If your activity will be entering a state or state aid highway, a MaineDOT Permit By Rule for Forest Management is required .

For constructing a roundwood and lumber storage yard

If you are planning on constructing a roundwood and lumber storage yard you should review the Site Location of Development (Site Law) requirements. A Notice of Intent to Comply: Roundwood & Lumber Storage Yards (PDF | 13KB) might be required