Section 2. Rural 1 District (RU-1)

A. Purpose

The Rural 1 District includes lands with multiple natural resource constraints; and/or that are especially important for their recreational, scenic, or other resource-based opportunities, including farming and woodlands; and/or that are especially important for long-term protection of water quality. The purpose of this district is to allow a level of development and activity consistent with the protection of the natural features of these lands.

B. Permitted Uses

The following uses are permitted in the Rural 1 District:

The following resource protection uses:

(1) Uses listed in Section 1 of this Article, Natural Resource Protection District, paragraph B

The following resource production uses:

(2) Agriculture
(3) Timber harvesting

The following residential uses:

(4) Single family dwellings
(5) Open space residential developments that meet the standards of Article IX
(6) Cottages

The following municipal and institutional uses:

(7) Family cemeteries, as defined by state law (13 MRSA §1142), covering no more than one-quarter of an acre of land, a description of which is recorded with the Town Clerk or with the Knox County Registry of Deeds

The following commercial uses:

(8) Outdoor storage of boats, provided the screening standards of Article X, Part II, Section 3(5) are met.
(9) Storage within barns or similar accessory structures existing as of the date of adoption of this Ordinance.

The following water-dependent uses:

(10) Municipal boat ramps and municipal piers

The following utility uses:

(11) Essential services
(12) Road construction

The following accessory activities:

(13) Accessory uses
(14) Home occupations
(15) Homestay

C. Uses Permitted as Special Exceptions

The following uses may be permitted only upon approval as special exceptions in accordance with the appropriate provisions of this Ordinance:

The following resource production uses:

(1) Extraction of mineral resources
(2) Clear cutting

The following municipal and institutional uses:

(3) Municipal uses
(4) Quasi-public facilities, provided no structures are involved

The following industrial uses:

(5) Agricultural products processing plants, except in shoreland areas

The following utility uses:

(6) Public utilities



D. Prohibited Uses

Uses not allowed as permitted uses or special exceptions are prohibited within this district.

E. Standards

(1) The standards of performance of Article X, Parts I and II, shall be observed.
(2) The following space and bulk standards shall apply:
a. Lots that are part of residential subdivisions approved by the Planning Board after the date of adoption of this Ordinance shall comply with the terms of Article IX, Open Space Zoning, except that subdivisions for which completed applications have been submitted to the Planning Board prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance shall be subject to the regulations in effect at the time of their submission.
b. For all other lots, the following space and bulk standards shall apply:

(3) Screening
Nonresidential uses abutting a residential use or a district other than a business or industrial district shall provide screening in accordance with the standards in Article X, Part II, Section 3, of this Ordinance.

(4) Shoreland Area
Properties within shoreland areas shall comply with the additional standards set forth in Article X, Part I, Section 1, of this Ordinance.

(5) High Elevation Areas
Notwithstanding the lists of permitted uses and uses permitted as special exceptions in this district and the space and bulk standards of this district, properties located more than 500 feet above mean sea level shall comply with the standards of Article X, Part I, Section 2, of this Ordinance.

(6) Historic Areas
Properties within historic areas shall comply with the additional standards set forth in Article X, Part I, Section 3 of this Ordinance.