Municipalities are encouraged to give preference, when appropriate, to functionally water-dependent uses and may extend zoning controls to accomplish this.

A municipality may, within coastal shoreland areas, adopt zoning ordinances for functionally water-dependent uses. Municipalities may establish districts within these zones to give preference to commercial fishing and other maritime activities.

In creating such a zone, a municipality shall consider the demand for and availability of shorefront property for functionally water-dependent uses.

Zoning ordinances adopted or extended pursuant to this section shall be pursuant to and consistent with a comprehensive plan.

PL 1985, c. 794, §A10 (NEW).