Q: Where can I locate my business?
A: The Freeport Economic Development Corporation (“FEDC”) realizes that the right space at the right
price is critical to your business’s success. We maintain a database of currently available locations
for lease or purchase throughout the Town of Freeport. Each listing includes available square
footage, sales price or square footage leasing costs, as well as a contact name.
Q: In what parts of Freeport can my business be located?
A: Review the Freeport Zoning Ordinance and Permitted Use Comparison Matrix for permitted uses by
district and other performance standards (available online at www.freeportmaine.com or at the
Planning Department)
·Businesses located within the Design Review District will have to meet additional
requirements. See Design Review Ordinance—Chapter 22
Q: What additional ordinances may be applicable to my business?
A:
·Signs: Chapter 23
·Directional Signage: Chapter 24
·Establishments providing food or drink: Victualers License—Chapter 30
·Home occupations: Zoning/Article V, Section 503
·Lighting: Zoning Ordinance—Section 521
·Off-Street Parking and Loading: Zoning Ordinance—Section 514
·Traffic and Parking: Chapter 48
Q: What are the requirements for businesses moving into existing buildings with no expansion and or
renovation plans? What if I am only making minor modifications to the interior of a current
building for my new business in Freeport?
A: As appropriate:
·Existing building/same use:
.Check with the Planning Department
.If no modifications other than esthetic such as painting walls or installing shelves are being
made, no site review by the Codes Enforcement Officer is required.
.Exterior signage permit will have to be filed and approved and, if appropriate, it will have to
comply with Design Review standards. If sign is of the same style and size as the previous
business’s sign, an administrative approval process is required.
.If within Design Review District
.Complete Planning Department Application (available online at www.freeportmaine.com or at the Planning Department); approval required
·Existing building/different use:
.Change of Use and Site Plan Review may be required by the Staff Review Board
.Complete Planning Department Application
.If no modifications other than esthetic such as painting walls or installing shelves are being
made, no site review by the Codes Enforcement Officer is required.
.Exterior signage permit will have to be filed and approved and, if appropriate, it will have to
comply with Design Review standards. If sign is of the same style and size as the previous
business’s sign, an administrative approval process is required.
.If within Design Review District
Q: What are the requirements, processes, zoning issues, and permits, and related costs when
performing building expansion/renovation or constructing a new building?
A: Exterior/interior expansion and/or renovations (with change of use or same use)
·Expansions and renovations under 1,000 square feet with change of use or same use:
.Contact the Planning Department as the Planning Department Application Form may need to
be submitted
.Sites less than or equal to 200 square feet can be reviewed and approved by the Town
Planner—with a fee of $25
.Sites of 201 to 1,000 square feet must be reviewed by the Staff Review Board at a meeting
where the public is invited---with a $50 fee
.Apply for Building Permit (Code Enforcement Department)
.Fees will vary*
.If within Design Review District where exterior changes are visible from the road
·Construction of new structure(s) and expansions over 1,000 square feet with change of use or
same use:
.Complete Project Review Board Application (available online at www.freeportmaine.com or
at the Planning Department); approval required by the Project Review Board.
1.Conceptual review—public invited
2.Final review—public invited
.$300-$3,000 fee* for site plan review
.2% Performance Guarantee Administrative fee applies
.If building is in Design Review District
.Complete Building Permit
.Site inspection during construction
Q: What signage is permitted?
A: Review the Sign Ordinance ---Chapter 23; additional requirements and
approvals may be needed if sign(s) are within the Design Review District. Sign
details are required as part of Site Plan Review.
·Complete Sign Permit (available at Planning Department)
·Sign Review Fees are included in the Ordinance
$10 for signs up to 12 square feet
$25 for signs from 12 to 50 square feet
$1 for each additional square foot over 50 square feet
Directional Sign Ordinance, Chapter 23, is applicable in limited locations and is
intended to provide directions to an area in Town or generically to public
accommodations and facilities, commercial services for the traveling public, and
points of scenic, historical, cultural, recreational, educational and religious interest.
Q: If I am opening a new business as a DBA/Sole Proprietor, what is the registration process?
A: If you are opening a business and using your own name, you do not need to register with the Town.
If you are going to operate as a Sole Proprietor or Partnership using a name other than your own,
state law requires you to:
·Register the name and type of business with Town Clerk
·Pay a one time $10 Fee*
Q: If I am opening a business serving food or drink for consumption on or off premises, what is the
registration process?
A: A Freeport Victualer’s License is required (Town Ordinances--Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 on
Styrofoam usage)
·Apply to Town Clerk
·$135 Fee or $150 with liquor*
A State Food license will also be required.
A state liquor license if required for alcoholic beverage sales. Bring state liquor license application to
Town Clerk. The license application must be advertised and go to Town Council for approval.
Q: Where will my customers be able to park?
A: Village businesses are required to provide a certain number of parking spaces within the village.
Parking spaces not part of a lease agreement may be leased through the Town of Freeport for a fee.
Outside of the village businesses must supply on-site parking.
There are multiple parking lots available across the Town which can be located on the
www.freeportusa.com web site and the “Experience Freeport Maine” Map and Visitor Guide produced by the Freeport Merchants Association.
Freeport has specific requirements for parking spaces for your business:
·Traffic and Parking--Chapter 48
·Zoning Ordinance: Article IV—Section 514
Q: What Marketing assistance is available?
A: FreeportUSA (Freeport Merchants Association’s ) primary role is to market businesses throughout
Freeport. It is a membership-driven organization developed to meet the needs of its members by
promoting the Freeport area to viable markets, and maximizing beneficial partnerships on a local,
state, national and international level.
They along with the FEDC will help you alert the media with grand openings, press conferences, and
ribbon-cutting ceremonies and when you have a business announcement. FMA is actively
involved with membership in the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the State of
Maine Department of Tourism, as well as seeking out other unique marketing opportunities.
The FreeportUSA Visitor Guide is the largest single tourism publication in the state. Among other things, FreeportUSA answers thousands of information phone calls, fulfills thousands of mail requests for maps and brochures, maintains an informational website with millions of annual hits, maintains both a year round and seasonal Information Center in Freeport and distributes the Visitor Guide to Information Centers around the state.
The FreeportUSA also produces a number of annual events that generally occur once a month during the year to attract customers to Freeport such as the Fall in the Village Art Show, Fashion Weekend, several town-wide Sales Events, and the Sparkle Holiday Celebration.
For additional information, please contact:
Myra Hopkins
Executive Director
Freeport Merchants Association
23 Depot Street
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-1212
* Review Planning Department Fees and Fines Schedule for complete listing.
