Off-grid electricity is permitted in Maine, and the state offers a variety of incentives to encourage residents to switch to renewable energy sources. The following are some of the incentives:
- Property taxes do not apply to renewable energy equipment.
- PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing are now available.
- Grid-tied solar nett metering
- Financial incentives for energy-saving improvements (see here)
Larger solar energy systems in Maine will require a permit, but the process is often straightforward. Permits for hydroelectric and wind power are more difficult to obtain.
Also check out:
- Living in an Electric-Free World
- Refrigerators that are not connected to the grid
Is it legal for me to camp on my own land in Maine?
More than half of Maine’s forest acreage is open to the public, and roughly 94 percent of that land is privately held. Over 10 million acres of active farms and woods have been voluntarily opened up by landowners.
This access is a tremendous gift, and in order to protect it, everyone who goes outside must appreciate the role that landowners play.
Most private landowners are eager to allow outdoor recreation on their property, such as hunting and fishing, as long as their property is respected.
However, keep in mind that the private land you use for recreation belongs to someone else, just as your car or home does, and that using it is a privilege, not a right.
Is it possible to have an outhouse in Maine?
Prior to the invention of indoor plumbing, almost every home in Maine had an outhouse separate from the house. Some were single-hole structures that could only be used by one person at a time. Outhouses with two or even three holes were erected for households with larger families.
There are still some people who like the simplicity of an outdoor toilet. However, there are a few things to consider before constructing an outhouse.
Outhouses and the law
Outhouses are classified alternative toilets under Maine law, and they must adhere to the same health and building rules as modern indoor bathrooms. These rules govern the hole’s depth, setback from waterways and residential structures, elevation, and upkeep. Before you begin construction on your outhouse, licenced professionals must assess all of these factors.
What state is the most convenient for living off the grid?
Off Grid Permaculture’s Daniel Mark Schwartz ranks Alabama as the best state for off-grid life. Alabama has a cheap cost of living, with comparatively modest land expenses and some of the lowest property taxes in the country. It also has a handful of counties that do not have building codes. Alabama is an ideal site for rainwater collection because it receives a lot of rain (56 inches per year) and state statutes allow for unrestricted water harvesting.
In the United States, where is it lawful to live off the grid?
Texas. Texas is one of the places that allows you to live off the grid in the least shocking way. The vast state has abundance of affordable, undeveloped land that could be the ideal place to start a family. Most places have a long growing season, making it simple to feed yourself.
Is it legal for me to live in an RV on my own land in Maine?
Yes, living in an RV is legal. You must observe local zoning regulations and ordinances that may regulate where you can park your RV in order to stay within the law. If you plan to park in one location or on your own land on a long-term basis, you may additionally require access to water and sewer.
Is it allowed in Maine to use GREY water systems?
Greywater reuse is permissible in Maine, according to Greywater Action, but only for home irrigation. As part of Maine’s irrigation water quality regulations, there are limits on the number of organisms that can be present in the water, therefore disinfection, as well as a permit, are normally required when using greywater for irrigation.
“According to Emily Spencer, acting director of communications for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, any intended release to the ground or a water body, including the external reuse of grey water, requires a discharge permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. ” Without a permission, any wastewater released from a structure must always be disposed of in an appropriate septic system or sewer.
Is it legal to use plastic septic tanks in Maine?
Septic Tanks in Maine Septic tanks made of plastic can be purchased for up to 50% less. The state of Maine has certified these septic tanks for use.
Outhouses have moons for a reason.
The topic “What’s the deal with crescent moons on outhouse doors?” has shown up in our inbox and comment threads more than any other in the years we’ve been answering queries from our exceptionally handsome readers. We’ve finally chosen to check into it after nearly a decade of doing so. So let’s get started.
While the origin of the crescent moon on the outhouse is commonly stated in a shocking number of otherwise seemingly authoritative sources, including no less than a book called Outhouses- a 128 page guide to all things outhouse- the truth is that all evidence points to it being a very modern phenomenon. It’s all said to have something to do with gender when it comes to its widely stated quite ancient origin. “It’s a generally held historical opinion that the crescent moon is a relic from a time when illiteracy was rife,” says one character in Outhouses. Prior to the adoption of the more famous male and female restroom symbols, it was reportedly popular to use a crescent moon to signify a female outhouse and a sun to denote a male outhouse. This is ostensibly a homage to the fact that women have long been connected with the moon, while men have long been associated with the sun.
From there, opinions differ on why the crescent moon, rather than the sun, became the de facto symbol for an outhouse, with the most common explanation being that men’s outhouses fell into disrepair because they would simply do their business in the great outdoors as God intended, without the need for such a structure. As a result, only the women’s outhouses were used regularly, while the others became extinct.
There is no evidence that this is the origin of the crescent moon on outhouses, as you could have surmised from the quantity of “supposedlies” in our previous paragraphs. Indeed, the information we do have suggests that that idea is about as accurate as the contents of that political chain-letter your great-grandmother forwarded to you.
Where can I get a free place to live?
There is still undeveloped acreage available. Many out-of-the-way towns and villages are currently giving plots for free or nearly free if you are willing to live there. There are other options for farm caretakers or land contract arrangements in the country that aren’t posted online. You must be aware of where to look. Finally, there are many undeveloped parcels of property that could be yours for free if you take advantage of an obscure legislation known as “adverse possession,” which exists in some form in all 50 states!
Free Land in the US
While the original homesteading act is no longer in effect, several distant cities around the United States are giving free land in exchange for the construction of a home and a commitment to live in the city for a defined amount of time. Here is a list of all the communities in the United States that offer free land to residents:
- Nebraska’s Beatrice
- Buffalo is a city in New York State.
- Nebraska’s Loup City
- Kansas City, Marquette
- New Richland is a town in Minnesota.
- Plainnville is a town in Kansas.