Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code

Effective December 1, 2010 the State of Maine adopted a statewide Uniform Building Code.  Any building codes that municipalities previously had in place are null and void.  As of 9/28/2011, municipalities over 4,000 in population (formerly 2,000) are required to enforce the new code if they have adopted a nationally recognized building code by August 2008.  Respectively, municipalities over 4,000 in population (formerly 2,000) that have not adopted a nationally recognized building code by August 2008 must enforce the new code as of July 1, 2012.  Municipalities fewer than 4,000 in population (formerly 2,000) are not required to enforce the new building code unless they wish to do so and they have the following options: 1. Choose to adopt and enforce the MUBEC, 2. Choose to adopt and enforce MUBC (the building code without the energy code), 3. Choose to adopt and enforce MUEC (the energy code only), or 4. Choose to have no code.

The City of Ellsworth is over 4,000 in population and never adopted a nationally recognized code and began enforcement of the new code on July 1, 2012.  All building construction in Maine is governed by the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC), which has been adopted by the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board by rule in Chapters 1 through 6, pursuant to 10 M.R.S § 9721 et  seq.  The Technical Building Codes and Standards Board is located within the Department of Public Safety and was established to adopt, amend, maintain, resolve conflicts between the uniform code and other codes, and to develop standards for training and certification for  municipal building officials, local code enforcement officers and third-party inspectors.

M.U.B.E.C. DIRECTORY OF CODES ADOPTED BY THE STATE OF MAINE (EITHER IN THEIR ENTIRETY OR WITH PORTIONS EXCLUDED)

• Chapter’s 1 & 2/Address Administrative Procedures & Third-Party Inspectors (only)
• Chapter 3 – International Building Code (IBC – 2009) ~Portions Excluded
• Chapter 4 – International Existing Building Code (IEBC – 2009) ~Portions Excluded
• Chapter 5 – International Residential Code (IRC – 2009) ~Portions Excluded
• Chapter 6 – International Energy Conservation Code (IECC – 2009) ~In its Entirety
• *ASHRAE 62.1 – 2007 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) ~In its Entirety
• *ASHRAE 62.2 – 2007 (Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise   Residential Buildings) ~In its Entirety
• ASHRAE 90.1 – 2007 I-P (Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) ~Portions Excluded (Addenda only)
• *ASTM E-1465-2006 (Standard Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings) ~In its Entirety

Current versions of chapters one through six that contain detailed information describing which portions have been excluded are available at the Department of Public Safety’s website at www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs.  These chapters are also being revised and updated in accordance with legislation from this last session and will also be posted on this website.

*The ASHRAE 62.1-2007, ASHRAE 62.2-2007 and ASTM E-1465-2006 are standard practices adopted by the State as part of MUBEC.

These standards are not mandatory, but must be followed if components for a ventilation and/or radon systems are installed in new construction.

An installer of a residential radon reduction system must be certified by the State of Maine.  Certification requires an online course in Basic Residential Radon, which can be viewed at http://www.maine.gov/spo/ceo/training/basicschedule.htm and then followed up by an exam which is given through the Code Enforcement Officer Training and Certification Program, Brianne D. Hasty, Program Coordinator at (207) 624-7507.

HOW CAN I VIEW OR OBTAIN A COPY OF THE NEW CODE

International Code Council (2009 – IBC, IEBC, IRC and IECC) Mailing Address:  Publications, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL, 60478-5771

• ICC Codes are available to view in the Code Enforcement Office
• ICC Codes are available to view online for FREE at www.maine.gov/dps/bbcs
• ICC Codes ordering information: www.iccsafe.org or Toll-free (888)-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) (Reminder:  When ordering, the State adopted the 2009 versions of the ICC codes)

ASHRAE 90.1 – 2007 I-P EDITION

*ASHRAE Standards 62.1 – 2007 & 62.2 – 2007

Mailing Address: 1791 Tullie Circle N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329

• ASHRAE Standards are available for viewing in the Code Enforcement Office
• Ordering information: www.ashrae.org or Toll-free (800) 527-4723

*ASTM E 1465-06 (Historical) Radon Standard Mailing Address: 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959

• ASTM Standard is  available for viewing in the Code Enforcement Office
• Ordering information:  http://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/HISTORICAL/E1465-06.htm or at (610) 832-9585

CITY OF ELLSWORTH CONTACT INFORMATION

The mission of the City of Ellsworth Code Enforcement Office is to provide outstanding public service responsive to the needs of our citizens, our unique community, and our environment. Our objective is to attain compliance with codes regarding, construction, land use regulations, maintenance of structures and premises through education, cooperation, enforcement and abatement to achieve a cleaner, healthier and safer city.

Dwight Tilton, Code Enforcement Officer ~ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lori Roberts, Deputy Code Enforcement Officer ~ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fred Troger, Electrical Inspector ~ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website ~ www.ellsworthmaine.gov

Mailing Address:
City of Ellsworth
c/o Code Enforcement Office
1 City Hall Plaza
Ellsworth, Me 04605
Phone:  (207) 667-4910
Fax:  (207) 669-6618