Maine building departments

How permitting works in Maine

Uniform state code, enforcement depends on town size. Maine's Uniform Building and Energy Code applies statewide. Towns with more than 4,000 residents must enforce it; smaller towns may opt out of enforcement, but owners still have to comply.

A county name is only a geographic starting point. Depending on the address, a city, town, borough, township, or county office may issue your permit. How to check who issues your permit.

Maine building codes and licensing

Residential code

Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code: 2021 IRC with Maine amendments (MUBEC Ch. 6); current rules effective April 7, 2026

Commercial code

MUBEC Commercial Building Code: 2021 IBC with Maine amendments (Ch. 4); 2021 IEBC, IECC and IMC also adopted

Adopted by

Technical Building Codes and Standards Board / Maine Office of Community Affairs, Division of Building Codes and Standards (opens in a new tab)

Outside city limits

Towns over 4,000 residents must enforce MUBEC. Smaller towns may choose not to enforce it but may not adopt any other building code, and compliance remains the owner's responsibility even where the code is not enforced.

Contractor licensing

Maine licenses electricians, plumbers, and fuel trades (through the Maine Fuel Board) at the state level; the state's profession list has no general contractor license. Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (opens in a new tab)

What is different in Maine

• Any home construction contract over $3,000 must be in writing, signed by both parties, and include specific terms such as start and completion dates and price (10 M.R.S. §1487).
• MUBEC does not apply to log homes, manufactured housing, post-and-beam or timber-frame construction, or crop storage warehouses and silos.
• Maine's plumbing and electrical codes are separate from MUBEC and found at the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation; the Fire Code (NFPA 1) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) are published by the Fire Marshal's Office.

Maine department guides

Browse Maine counties

Bold counties have at least one researched department guide.

Planning a project in Maine?

Start with what the model codes say, then confirm local rules with the department that serves your address.

• Do I Need a Permit for a Deck
• Do I Need a Permit for a Fence
• Do I Need a Permit for a Shed
• Do I Need a Permit to Replace a Roof
• Do I Need a Permit to Replace a Water Heater
• Do I Need a Permit for a Kitchen Remodel
• How Much Does a Building Permit Cost
• Building Inspection Stages Explained

Sources

1. Maine Office of Community Affairs, Division of Building Codes and Standards
2. MOCA – Laws & Rules
3. MOCA – Code Enforcement Rules
4. 10 M.R.S. §9724 Application (MUBEC)
5. 10 M.R.S. §1487 Home construction contracts
6. Maine OPOR – Professions

State facts checked October 21, 2026. Local amendments can change these rules; the department serving your address has the final word.