Building Permits
Building permits are needed for any repair, alteration, addition to or change of use of a building or structure, and soil disturbance over 50 cubic yards.
Non-structural residential activities may not require a permit. View the permit exception list below and check with the Code Enforcement Office to confirm permit requirements.
Permit Applications Permit Fees(PDF, 169KB)
The Code Enforcement Office will verify if the proposed construction is designed to meet applicable codes, statutes and ordinances. Projects must have the necessary planning, public safety, public works, state fire marshal, state electrical nspector, and Department of Environmental Protection clearances.
Depending on the complexity, the time frame for building permit approval is usually less than five days. The permit review time allowed by the Land Use Ordinance is 14 days.
Property owners are responsible for complying with all city ordinances and codes. The Code Enforcement Office is available to answer any questions about any planned construction activities.
Commercial or Rental Properties
Property owners/contractors of commercial or rental property shall contact the City Code Enforcement Officer for permits/information before undertaking any construction, replacement or repair projects.
Residential Properties
Property owners are encouraged to contact the City Code Enforcement Office with any questions about permits before beginning construction, replacement or repairs.
Plumbing / Septic
Internal Plumbing
An internal plumbing permit is required for installation or replacement of all water distributing and drainage pipes, water storage tanks and water heaters and installation of all new faucets, valves and plumbing.
Permits are valid for 24 months after the date of issuance.
Permits are not required for the clearing of stoppages and repairing of leaks in all water distributing and drainage pipes, valves, and faucets, provided the work does not require the replacement or relocation of any pipes.
External Plumbing
External plumbing permits are required for any work related to subsurface waste water disposal systems except for minor repairs to pumps, clearance of a stoppage, sealing of a leak in the septic tank, building sewer or effluent line, adding fill material to a fill extension.
External plumbing permits or subsurface wastewater disposal (septic) system (SSWD) applications are required to be completed by a State of Maine licensed site evaluator.
The application then needs to be reviewed and permitted by the Local Plumbing Inspector at the Code Enforcement Office. If a SSWD application has a signed, dated permit label affixed to page one of the permit application form, the permit is approved.
Sewer & Water Hookups
Code Enforcement is responsible for public sewer and water hook-up permits.
The Gardiner Public Works, Water and Wastewater Departments are responsible for Code and Ordinance administration.
Public sewer and water hook-up permits include two classes: residential and commercial service and establishments producing industrial wastes.
In either case any new, relocation, alteration, use, connections with or opening into public sewer and water must first receive an approved sewer and water hook-up permit from the Code Enforcement Office and any other applicable state or federal agency prior to the commencement of construction.
Any questions associated with public sewer and water connections should be directed to Public Works, Water, or Wastewater Departments.
Shoreline Zones & Flood Plains
Property owners considering construction, replacement or repairs to a building within the Shoreland Zone or Flood Plain, shall contact the Code Enforcement Office before beginning ANY construction, replacement or repairs.
Zoning Districts Map
Non-Structural Residential Permit Exceptions
Structural components of a building include, but are not limited to interior/exterior walls, floor, roof, foundation and any materials permanently affixed to a structural component. Activity regarding these items requires a building permit.
Building permit are not required for:
Activity must be located outside of the Shoreland Zone or Flood Plain for permit exemptions
- Above ground, inflatable swimming pools
- Air conditioning
- Caulking/weather stripping
- Decks - replacing/repairing a non-structural item, i.e. a deck board – minor repair
- Doors - replacements which do not involve the removal, enlargement or reduction in size of door frame
- Electrical/lighting
- Flooring - repairing or replacement
- Furnace or other heating sources and power vents installed by licensed professionals
- Insulation
- Painting/staining/wall paper/paneling - exterior/interior
- Patios
- Rain gutters
- Roof - non-structural repair - minor
- Roofing - Installing new roof covering over 1 layer of existing shingles
- Siding - Installing new vinyl siding over existing siding
- Steps- replacing treads
- Trim - repairing or replacing w/similar materials
- Walls - exterior/interior non-structural repair - minor
- Windows - replacement windows which do not require the removal, enlargement or reduction in size of window frame and are in non-sleeping areas
Contact Us
Phone
Alternate Phone
Fax
(207) 582-6895
Email
Location
Gardiner City Hall
6 Church Street
Gardiner, ME
04345
View Map
Hours
- Monday, Tuesday & Thursday:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Wednesday:
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Friday:
8:00 am to 12:00pm