BREAKING: Biddeford City Council Votes to Table Manufactured Housing Ordinance Indefinitely
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
June 2, 2026, This evening, Biddeford City Councilors voted 6 to 3 to table a proposed Manufactured Housing Ordinance indefinitely.
Councilors, Vadnais, Lessard, Pierson, Doughty, Boston, and Beaupre voted in favor Whereas, Councilors, Cote, Woods, and Kurtz opposed tabling the ordinance.
There was quite of bit of discussion from the council as well as comments from members of the public on the ordinance.
After listening to the council discuss the topic, it seems the reason for the tabling was not the purpose of the ordinance, but rather the implementation plan for said propsoal.
Both Councilors Kurtz and Doughty expressed concerns about the ordiance implementation outlining topics such administrative burden to city staff, as well as language in the document referring to "increased operating costs".
Following the tabling of the ordinance, residents who attended the meeting in the audience, could be heard making statements voicing their dismay to the action as they left the council chambers.
According to city staff, "Members of the City Council have been approached by constituents concerned about recent, significant lot rent increases imposed by out of state landlords. This presents and exemplifies that there is an emergency affecting life, health, and property for housing stability for certain mobile home park lot renters because of rapidly escalating lot rents. There is an immediacy to address the manner of Lot Rent increases to foster stabilization of housing within certain mobile home parks."
The ordinance was first brought to council back on February 4, 2026 (https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/post/biddeford-council-votes-to-send-mobile-home-lot-fee-ordinance-to-policy-committee-for-review-m) and then was referred back to policy committee for further review.
Similarly to currently established ordiances in many other municipalities in Maine, the ordianace addresses what has been expressed concerns from residents pertaining to increased fees and out of state developers purchasing local parks.
The ordinance as presented tonight can be viewed here: https://biddefordme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4398/files/agenda/8570
Notably, according to meeting documents, "Recently across Maine, out of state companies have been purchasing mobile home parks and imposing significant lot rent increases. This is literally pricing out occupants who are on fixed incomes out of their homes. "
The documents go on to state, "The State Legislature has recognized that and passed LD 1765, An Act to Ensure Affordability and Stability in Residential Housing and in Manufactured Housing. The State further drafted a Model Rent Stabilization Ordinance for consideration by municipalities."
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