30-A §3011. Regulation of sport shooting ranges

1. Definition. As used in this section, "sport shooting range" means an area designed and used for archery, skeet and trap shooting or other similar shooting sports and the shooting of rifles, shotguns and pistols. [PL 1995, c. 231, §2 (NEW).]

2. Limitation. A municipal noise control or other ordinance may not require or be applied so as to require a sport shooting range to limit or eliminate shooting activities that have occurred on a regular basis at the range prior to the enactment date of the ordinance, as long as the range conforms to generally accepted gun safety and shooting range operation practices or is constructed in a manner not reasonably expected to allow a projectile to cross the boundary of the range. [PL 2015, c. 433, §3 (AMD).]

3. Expansion of activity. Nothing in this section limits the ability of a municipality to regulate the location and construction of a new sport shooting range or a substantial change in use of an existing range on or after September 1, 2016. [PL 2015, c. 433, §3 (AMD).]

4. Maintenance and improvements. A municipality may not restrict a sport shooting range established prior to September 1, 2016 from performing maintenance or otherwise making improvements to the sport shooting range and its buildings, structures and grounds with regard to: A. Enhancing public safety and shot containment; [PL 2015, c. 433, §4 (NEW).] B. Providing access for persons with disabilities and providing rest room facilities; [PL 2015, c. 433, §4 (NEW).] C. Otherwise maintaining or improving the habitability of buildings and grounds, if such maintenance or improvements are otherwise in compliance with the municipality's generally applicable building codes and zoning ordinances; and [PL 2015, c. 433, §4 (NEW).] D. Repairing or rebuilding a building or structure damaged by fire, collapse, explosion or an act of God, if such repairs or rebuilding is otherwise in compliance with the municipality's generally applicable building codes and is completed within 2 years of the loss or damage. [PL 2015, c. 433, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 433, §4 (NEW).]