Frequently Asked Questions

You need a building permit for all construction that involves the construction, repair, movement to another site, removal, or demolition of any building or structure. All electrical, plumbing and mechanical work needs a separate permit for each trade. The price of the permit is calculated using the cost of the construction. View our Permits, Applications and Procedures.

Work on a project may not legally begin before a permit is obtained and on the work site.

Water heater applications are processed at the counter.

Yes, renew online by visiting the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry website.

Yes, you can renew or purchase your licenses online.

Yes, you will need your ME number or Registration number. Renew by visiting the Boat Registration Renewal Online Service website.

If your vehicle is currently registered in the Town of Boothbay and is up to date, you can renew your registration by visiting the Rapid Renewal website.

Each Zoning District in Boothbay is different. Please contact the Code Enforcement Department to see if the business you would like on your property is an allowed use under the Town of Boothbay Zoning Ordinance. You may also find information on our online site under Town Code and Zoning Ordinances. Look under Development and Use, your property zone, and the Land Use Table for allowable Uses in your district.

Yes, Smoke detectors shall be installed in each bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, with at least one on each floor, including basements and attics, where applicable. They must be powered by both the electrical service and by battery, they must be interconnected, and any smoke detector located within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom containing a tub or shower must be a photoelectric-type smoke detector. (25 MRSA § 2464). Carbon Monoxide detectors shall be installed in each area within or giving access to bedrooms. They must be powered by both the electrical service and by a battery. (25 MRSA § 2468).

Deck railings must be a minimum of 3 inches high, and handrails on deck stairs must be between 34" and 38" from the edge of the nosing of the stair tread. All handrails will be graspable and will follow the guidelines established in the NFPA. (NFPA-101 2006 7.2.2).

No, the Town of Boothbay does not currently have a blasting Ordinance.

A homeowner is allowed to install their own plumbing, but installation of plumbing in multi-unit buildings, rental properties, and commercial properties must be done by a Maine State Licensed Master Plumber. For all plumbing installations, a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Office is required.

An egress window is a window big enough and low enough so that occupants can escape through the opening in an emergency, such as a fire. When purchasing new windows, ask the salesperson if the window you are purchasing meets egress requirements. It is highly recommended that you get written proof of this for your own records. A secondary means of egress is required in not only all sleeping rooms, but also in any living area.

All stairs are to be built with a 7 ¾ inches maximum riser and 10-inch minimum tread depth, headroom of 6 feet 8 inches minimum, and handrails between 34 and 38 inches from the tread nosing. All handrails will be graspable and will follow the guidelines established in the NFPA. (NFPA-101 2006 7.2.2). Stairways must be a minimum of 36 inches wide from finished wall to finished wall or railing.

Not specifically. The Town of Boothbay follows the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, which incorporates some aspects of construction, but is not a building code.

The Town of Boothbay has very limited regulation regarding the design and placement of fences, although fences and walls on corners of lots that are bordered by two intersecting public or private roads shall be setback a minimum of 8 feet from the edge of each road and shall be no more than 42 inches in height.

You will need to contact the Town Office at 207-633-2051, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, for approval. For burning permits on Saturday or Sunday, contact Fire Chief Richard Spofford at 207-380-7286 for approval. Alternatively, you may obtain a permit online by visiting the Maine Burn Permit System website.

The Selectmen can be contacted directly through the website by clicking the hyperlink attached to their names at Board Of Selectmen Page

If you would like to be scheduled for the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen for official business, please contact the Town Manager to make arrangements

The Town Manager can also assist with issues that pertain to regular business issues (comments, questions, and complaints)