Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
672 - LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION (formerly Land Use Regulation Commission)
Chapter 15 - GUIDELINES FOR PRIVATE ROADS OR WAYS IN THE LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION'S MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
Section 672-15-03 - Planning and Location

1. The location of roads should be planned and laid out, both on paper and on the ground, before starting construction.

2. As a general rule, landowners should give advance consideration to avoiding areas where road location or increased public access are not desirable. In this regard, areas near water bodies and in wetlands, steep slopes, wildlife habitat, high mountain areas, areas of historical or cultural significance, and remote recreational areas should be avoided wherever possible.

3. Roads should be laid out so that the number of stream crossings is kept to the minimum practicable. In order to avoid excessive cuts and fills, the general contours of the land should be utilized to the fullest extent possible.

4. To facilitate the control of water and drainage of road surfaces, roads should also be laid out, whenever practical, to utilize southerly slopes and to follow contours of side slopes.

5. Road grades should be kept below ten percent except for short distances where the grade may exceed ten percent.