Bath is updating its Land Use Code and wants the public to pitch in by sharing their thoughts on the changes this summer.

The city’s current Land Use Code is several decades old and has fallen out of step with Bath’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan, which calls for increased housing choice, improved climate resilience efforts and support for small-scale economic development, according to a news release from the city. The draft Land Use Code simplifies the review and permitting process, setting clear thresholds and predictable timelines.

This month, Bath released for public review a draft of the updated Land Use Code, which regulates everything from building size and location to how land in the city can be used for new housing, businesses or conservation. It will be the first update to the code in over 20 years.

“The proposed code embraces and builds on Bath’s past, while encouraging a future that will last,” said Bath Director of Planning Jennifer Curtis. “By supporting reuse of historic buildings, repurposing larger homes into multiple living spaces and allowing more flexibility to encourage smart redevelopment where and how the community would like to see it.”

The draft Land Use Code promotes walkable, connected neighborhoods that align with Bath’s future development patterns, enabling a broader range of housing types to support affordability and shifting demographics. Under the city’s draft Land Use Code, the commercial districts in Bath could be converted to mixed-use districts.

The public review of the draft Land Use Code will remain open until Sept. 30 with the city’s planning team, along with the urban planning firm Camiros, hosting a series of open houses to offer the public more opportunities to ask questions and share input about the proposed changes.

“It reflects our shared commitment as a community to expanding housing options and economic opportunities, while honoring the character of our historic neighborhoods,” said Bath City Manager Marc Meyers. “With this draft, we’re aligning policy with vision — and we look forward to continued public input to help shape a future that reflects the values of our entire community.”