Final answer:
The buyer will need a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to modify the septic system for a year-round residence. Local zoning boards manage land use, but the DEP typically oversees environmental regulations, including septic systems in shoreland zones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about a regulatory topic related to real estate, specifically concerning the conversion of a seasonal cottage into a year-round residence and the implications for septic system permits within the shoreland zone at Sebago Lake, Maine. The correct answer for who would issue the necessary permit for the septic system, in this case, is Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since it is in the shoreland zone, which likely involves environmental regulations that DEP oversees. Local zoning boards often manage land use regulations, and permits for changes in the property use may also be required. However, when the regulation concerns environmental protection, which includes septic systems especially in shoreland zones, state-level departments like DEP are usually the responsible authorities for issuing permits.
Zoning regulations can indeed cover a wide variety of local requirements including, but not limited to, the frontage of lots, minimum lot area, and the preservation of features in areas of historic or cultural significance. It is important for the buyer to be aware that transforming a seasonal cottage to a year-round residence could involve multiple types of regulatory compliance, including additional permits from local authorities.