Maine court upheld man's right to beach access despite neighbour's lawsuit
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has ruled in favor of a homeowner, Clark Hill, confirming his right to access a beach in front of his cottage. The court determined that Hill holds an implied easement for recreational use, despite a lawsuit filed by a neighbor who claimed ownership of the land.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing legal tensions in coastal communities regarding private property rights versus long-standing public or neighborly access to shorelines.
A property dispute at Popham Beach in Maine has ended with the state's highest court upholding a neighbour's right to access the beach in front of his cottage. The case began after Richard Tappen purchased a parcel of land that lay in front of Clark Hill's property and subsequently sued him for trespassing. The two families had owned beachfront cottages in the area for decades, but disagreed over who had the right to use the disputed land. In January 2026, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld a lower court's ruling in Hill's favour.Why did a Maine homeowner sue his neighbour over beach accessAccording to Maine Public's report, the dispute involved two neighbouring families at Popham Beach Estates, where beachfront cottages have been part of their lives for generations. Richard Tappen purchased a parcel of land that extended across the area in front of Clark Hill's cottage.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in