MAINE BUILDING PERMITS

Online Building Permits in Maine

As the Maine Building Inspection is closed for the time being, the state will be allowing plans to be submitted via email for electronic review. The Electronic Plan Review system has its own set of guidelines to be followed to ensure a successful approval.

Prior to commencing any construction of any building or structure, you are required to submit an application for a Building Permit in Maine. Whether the project is residential or commercial, it is crucial to receive the necessary approval before the construction begins, or you may face a heavy fine and delays in the work.

When are Online Building Inspections in Maine Required?

Maine Building Inspection will continue to complete inspections on already permitted projects and to complete plan review and issue permits on projects defined as essential infrastructure. Maine Building Inspection will also continue to review and issue permits for some 1 and 2 family dwelling non-essential projects including accessory buildings, sheds, detached garages, decks, porches, and solar panel installations.  

Plan review services are continuing with minor delays as staff navigate a fully electronic remote interface.

How Long Does the Maine Online Building Permit Process Take?

The entire process for obtaining a Maine ePermit can take as little as five days, if all the documentation that you have submitted is in order.

1. Applications should be checked within 5 business days after the application submission or delivery.  Don’t inquire about the status of your application submission unless you haven’t received a notification within 5 business days of submitting the application.
2. Applicants will be notified via email if their application has been accepted for a review or rejected for incompleteness. 
3. Applications that are rejected must be resubmitted as a new full complete application with the appropriate information to be considered for review.
4. Applications that are accepted for review will be placed in a queue and a full review will be completed in the order the plans are accepted.
5. Accepted applications should be reviewed within 15 business days after the application is accepted.  Don’t inquire about the status of the plan review unless you haven’t heard from our office within 15 business days of the application acceptance.
6. After the review has been completed applicants will be notified via email if their plans have been approved or if modifications are required.  
7. If modifications are required you will be notified how to submit the required changes directly to your plan reviewer, you won’t be required to restart the plan submission process.

Who Can Submit an Electronic Building Permit Application in Maine?

Any homeowner, architect or a licensed contractor can apply to the state of Maine for an ePermit by providing enough information to describe the project fully and clearly.

Construction drawings are necessary on most construction projects and especially for commercial projects, these must be prepared by an architect. For a home improvement project, the homeowner may prepare the drawings, provided that the drawings are accurate, legible and complete.

Ensure You Receive an Approval on Your First Building Permit Submission

At Service First Permits, we expertly organize the documentation and prepare it for submission following the strict guidelines that the state of Maine have set out.

This means that we take the stress and work related to gathering, converting and applying for an ePermit in Maine off your hands, so you can focus on your project.

To begin, contact us for your free electronic permit consultation now.