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1. What does the Planning Board do?

The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing new development, and the review of additions and renovations in Windham to make certain development complies with the Town of Windham Ordinances and the spirit of the Town's Comprehensive Master Plan. This review is necessary to make certain that development will not jeopardize the comfort, convenience, health, safety, or welfare of Windham's residents and visitors, and to protect the Town's environmental resources.

2. Do I need to go before the Planning Board for approval of my project?

The Planning Board reviews two types of development: subdivisions and site plans.
If you are going to be building an addition or constructing a new single or two-family home, an accessory building like a shed or garage, or a building for agricultural uses, you will not need Planning Board approval. However, you will need a Building Permit from the Code Enforcement Office 894-5960 x 1. Code Enforcement Office Webpage

3. I want to make sure the Planning Board has my input on a particular proposal for development. How can I participate?

Residents have an opportunity to have their voices heard on every application that comes before the Planning Board. Please note that individual Planning Board members are not legally allowed to discuss projects with the public outside of Planning Board meetings. However, opportunities to participate can take the form of any of the following:

• Attendance at a site walk - Site walks typically take place early in the application process, and allow the Planning Board and members of the public to get a sense of the "lay of the land." Site walk notices are mailed to owners of properties within 500 feet of the proposed development, and are published in the Portland Press Herald. Site walks typically take place on Saturday mornings.
• Attendance at a sketch plan - The Planning Board may accept public comment during the sketch plan phase of the application review.
• Attendance at a public hearing - Owners of properties within 500 feet of the proposed development will be notified of the public hearing by mail. Public hearing notices are published in the Portland Press Herald. Planning Board agenda items are also published in the Windham Independent. Finally, you may view agenda items via the link below.
• Submission of written comments to the Planning Board - Letters or other written correspondence to the Planning Board will become part of the project file maintained by Town Planning staff, and will be brought to the attention of Planning Board members as applications are reviewed.

View Upcoming Planning Board Agendas

4. What is the definition of a subdivision?

A Subdivision is:

1. The division of a tract or parcel of land into 3 or more lots within any 5 year period, or
2. The division of a new structure on a tract or parcel of land into 3 or more dwelling units within a 5-year period, or
3. The construction or placement of 3 or more dwelling units on a single parcel of land within a 5-year period, or
4. The division of an existing building previously used for commercial or industrial use into 3 or more dwelling units within a 5-year period.

Exceptions to the definition above are made for the division of a property for lots given as gifts to immediate family members or for a few other limited reasons.

View the full legal definition of a subdivision. View a complete list of exceptions.

5. Can I subdivide my property?

You are allowed to subdivide your property provided all lots meet the zoning standards for size, frontage, and setbacks. To learn which zone your property is located in, you can call the Planning Office at 894-5960 x 2 or the Code Enforcement Office at 894-5960 x 1.

6. What do I need to do to subdivide my property?

Please call 894-5960 x 2 or stop by the Town Office to speak with planning staff. A subdivision application must be obtained and completed prior to Planning Board approval of any subdivision. The application will go through four levels of review:

• Development Team Meeting (highly recommended)
• Pre-application / Sketch Plan
• Preliminary Plan
• Final Plan

Each level will require more detailed information to move to the next level. Checklists have been created to assist subdivision applicants assemble the information necessary to address these requirements. Checklists are available at the Planning Department in the Town Office.

The amount of time this process takes varies from project to project, depending on many factors including the size of the property involved, the characteristics of the property, the project's location, the potential for the project to impact neighbors or the community, and many other factors.

7. When is a Site Plan Required?

Site Plans look at development on a single lot, such as a new commercial building or a new residential building that provides housing for more than two-families. Site plan review is required for any development in excess of 2,000 square feet of floor space, or 25,000 square feet of development.


This includes:

• Any non-residential use (commercial or industrial)
• Public and semi-public buildings
• Multi-family units, whether or not the development involves subdivision of a site
  
  This excludes:
  • The construction of residential single or two-family dwellings
  • Accessory buildings
  • Agricultural uses.
  
  
  Note that subdivisions can be residential subdivisions or commercial subdivisions, and that it is possible for a particular project to be subject to both subdivision and site plan review.

8. I have my Planning Board approval. Now what?

Before construction can begin, a developer must provide a bond or letter of credit. This bond or letter of credit is to be in the amount of the estimated cost of the site work that needs to be done, plus the applicant must send the town a check for inspection fees.

Here's how the bonding or letter of credit process works:

1. The applicant submits an itemized list of site work tasks and the estimated dollar amount to complete each one.
2. An engineer working for the town reviews this itemized list and the plans, and confirms or suggests revisions to the dollar amounts shown.
3. Once the amount is confirmed, the applicant must post a bond for the estimated cost of the site work, and send a check to the Town for inspection fees.
4. When site work is complete, and the Town's engineer has inspected the site to make certain it matches with the approved plan, the bond or letter of credit can be released.


As site work progresses it is possible to request a reduction to the amount of the bond or letter of credit. For more information on this process, please contact the Planning Department.