Section 265-A. Exemption of lots shown on approved subdivision plats

1.
  Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this  chapter  or  of  any
  general,  special  or local law, the provisions of a zoning ordinance or
  local law hereafter adopted, or of a change or amendment thereto,  which
  provisions:
    (a)  establish  or  increase  lot areas or lot dimensions which are in
  excess of the areas or dimensions of the lots shown and delineated on  a
  residential  subdivision  plat  which  has  been  duly  approved  by the
  planning board, or other board  or  officer  vested  with  authority  to
  approve  subdivision  plats, if any, of the town in which the land shown
  on said plat is situate and duly filed in the office  of  the  recording
  officer  of  the county in which the land shown on said subdivision plat
  is situate; or
    (b) establish or increase  side,  rear  or  front  yard  or  set  back
  requirements  in excess of those applicable to lots under the provisions
  of the zoning ordinance or local law, if any, in force and effect at the
  time of the filing of the said  duly  approved  residential  subdivision
  plat or first section thereof
    shall  not,  for  the  period of time prescribed in subdivision two of
  this section, be applicable to or in any way  affect  any  of  the  lots
  shown and delineated on such subdivision plat.
    2.  If  at  the  time  of  the filing of the subdivision plat or first
  section thereof referred to in subdivision one of this section there was
  in the town:
    (a) both a zoning ordinance or local law and a planning  board  vested
  with authority to approve subdivision plats, then the exemption provided
  for in subdivision one of this section shall apply for a period of three
  years after the filing of the approved subdivision plat or first section
  thereof; or
    (b)  a  zoning  ordinance or local law in effect in the town but there
  was no planning board in said town  vested  with  authority  to  approve
  subdivision plats, then the exemption provided for in subdivision one of
  this  section  shall apply for a period of two years after the filing of
  the approved subdivision plat or first section thereof; or
    (c) no zoning ordinance or local law in  the  town  but  there  was  a
  planning  board vested with authority to approve subdivision plats, then
  the exemption provided for in subdivision  one  of  this  section  shall
  apply  for  a  period  of  two  years  after  the filing of the approved
  subdivision plat or first section thereof; or
    (d) no zoning ordinance or local law in the town and no planning board
  vested with authority to approve subdivision plats, then  the  exemption
  provided for in subdivision one of this section shall apply for a period
  of  one  year  after the filing of the subdivision plat or first section
  thereof.
    3. If such period of exemption would expire within one year  from  the
  date  of  the  filing  of  a  section  of the approved plat, it shall be
  extended for that section for a period of one year from the date of  the
  filing of such section.