06/17/2026
DID YOU KNOW?
We recently spoke with local Code Enforcement Officer Dwight Pilton regarding Maine shoreland zoning and the use of pressure-treated lumber for docks and waterfront projects.
Many people remember when pressure-treated lumber was discouraged or prohibited around lakes and ponds because older treatment methods contained arsenic and other chemicals that raised environmental concerns.
According to current guidance, newer pressure-treated lumber products use different treatment processes, and pressure-treated lumber approved for use near water is now generally allowed in many waterfront applications, subject to local and state regulations.
As always, every project is different, and property owners should check with their local Code Enforcement Officer before starting construction.
For more information on Maine Shoreland Zoning, visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website:
https://www.maine.gov/dep/land/slz/
If you’re planning a dock, waterfront deck, walkway, or other shoreline project, stop by Danforth Hardware and let us help you get the materials you need.
Contacts Chapter 1000 (Guidelines) Statutory sections State-imposed ordinance chapters Supplemental materials -- including the Shoreland Zoning News