Density Bonus

In order to promote condominium forms of housing and affordable housing in close proximity to downtown and services, in the R-1-A, R-1-B, R-2, R-3, OR, and MSRD-2 Zoning Districts the density requirements may be relaxed as follows:

Redevelopment of Existing Structures 

The Planning Board, or other appropriate approval authority, will consider granting a density bonus of one residential unit for every 650 square feet of living space within an existing structure, provided the applicant present redevelopment/renovation plans to the Code Enforcement Officer demonstrating how the redevelopment project will result in the number of residential units with two (2) or more bedrooms being at least, if not more than, the number of units with two (2) or more bedrooms before the density bonus was granted. 

If the project is provided a density bonus, the Code Enforcement Officer will document the allowable density and number of units in writing for the Code Enforcement Office files. 

An applicant provided a density bonus for rental housing shall enter into a contractual agreement with the City of Biddeford requiring that at least thirty percent (30%) of the additional units created shall be leased such that they do not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the Fair Market Rent (FMR) per bedroom size, as established annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The contractual agreement shall be recorded at the York County Registry of Deeds, a copy of which provided to the Code Enforcement Office, prior to the issuance of any building permits. Rent restricted units will be annually monitored by the Planning and Development Department for contract compliance.

Condominium Conversions/Development

A property may be proposed for redevelopment/renovation from apartments into condominiums in accordance with the procedures described above.

An applicant provided a density bonus for condominiums must enter into a contractual agreement with the City of Biddeford obligating them to complete the project as condominiums to be offered for sale upon or before completion of the project in return for receiving the density bonus. The contractual agreement shall be recorded at the York County Registry of Deeds, and a copy of the deed must be provided to the Code Enforcement Office prior to the issuance of any building permits.

The applicant must agree that if the project is converted to condominiums, the units shall not be sold for a price that exceeds 125% of the York County median home price affordable to median income households as set annually by HUD for the City of Biddeford.