LEWISTON — City officials say they have completed a monthslong effort to update Lewiston’s zoning ordinances, meant to encourage new development and housing.

The changes, which vary from reduced parking requirements and detached accessory dwelling units to rezoning the three main commercial arterials, are part of an economic strategy aimed at increasing development opportunities.

City staff said Lewiston’s zoning ordinances were largely untouched for decades and the changes are more “reflective of today’s environment.” Lewiston, like many cities, also took an inward look at zoning in response to the housing crisis, which highlighted a severe shortage of housing that drove up prices during the pandemic.

Municipalities are also changing rules in preparation for LD 2003, state legislation enacted to respond to the housing shortage.

“As the second largest city in Maine, Lewiston’s former ordinances did not put the city in a position to grow,” a city news release said.

Over the past several weeks, the city modified the zoning of nearly 375 properties within the Sabattus Street, Lisbon Street and Main Street corridors that reduce setbacks, which staff said will allow more space for development on properties, and increase opportunities for multifamily housing development.

The news release said that in those three corridors, the “highway business” zone now allows multifamily housing development, which was approved in order to “increase housing supply, make more efficient use of the land, enhance neighborhood and urban vitality and improve access to amenities.”

City Administrator Heather Hunter said updating the city’s zoning is a “top priority” of the City Council.

“By updating our zoning ordinances, we are working to remove obstacles to economic development and create more housing attainability,” City Councilor Rick LaChapelle said. “Before adopting these zoning improvements, many requirements not only hindered development but also, some may argue, actively worked against it.”

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done as a council to streamline zoning in Lewiston,” Mayor Carl Sheline said. “The common sense changes that we’ve passed will make development less complicated and cumbersome. This sends a clear message to the state that Lewiston is open for business. We’ve had a lot of business and housing successes recently and I expect even more with these efforts.”

Shelley Norton, city planner, said the objective from the start was to “reform inefficient and outdated ordinance language.”

“Many of the current zoning provisions were adopted in the late 1980s. Zoning and land use practices have since evolved and so should the ordinances to help the city continue moving forward,” she said.

Changes have been occurring incrementally over the past year, but the most recent will take effect June 16, she said.

Within the greater downtown area, parking requirements have been significantly reduced, which gives more flexibility to new potential businesses looking at infill development. In some neighborhoods, small retail stores and food establishments are now allowed, which officials say can “increase neighborhood vibrancy and quality of life.”

Like Auburn, the city is also allowing more flexibility with required building setbacks in order to allow property owners to renovate, expand, or add structures such as decks.

The city also no longer requires a building permit for storage or tool sheds, and last year made it easier for property owners to keep chickens or honeybees.

The city news release said its new language on accessory dwelling units “not only helps ease the housing crunch but also provides opportunity for additional income and expands greater flexibility to homeowners.”

Previously, accessory dwelling units had to be attached to the home and occupied by a family member, but they can now be detached from the primary structure and may be rented out. Part of the LD 2003 legislation requires that municipalities allow accessory dwelling units in residential zoning districts.

Referring to the coming changes in state law, Director of Planning and Code Enforcement David Hediger said, “With more changes to come, these initiatives will help Lewiston progress and grow in a sustainable and meaningful direction.”