Permits

A Building Permit is required to erect, alter, repair, remove, or demolish any building. In addition to a building permit you may also be required to obtain separate permits for shoreland, internal plumbing, electrical, street/road opening, public sewer connection, or subsurface wastewater disposal. Depending on the size of your project, additional approvals may be required from the Planning Board, Department of Environment Protection and/or Army Corps of Engineers.

Required Inspections:

• The State of Maine requires that all building must be constructed to M.U.B.E.C. standards, 2014 National Electric Code, and the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code the City of Ellsworth performs inspections according to each phase of completion.
• Final (Certificate of Occupancy)

Additional Inspections may be required for parking regulations, traffic count, Life Safety and or ADA regulations, asbestos and/or lead (demolition and or removal of an existing structure) remediation.

M.U.B.E.C.

Effective December 1, 2010, the State of Maine adopted this as a statewide building and energy code (M.U.B.E.C.).  The City of Ellsworth began enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code on July 1, 2012. Outlined below are the specific codes regulating construction under M.U.B.E.C.

M.U.B.E.C. Directory of Codes (Either in their entirety or with portions excluded)

• International Building Code (IBC – 2009) ~Portions Excluded
• International Existing Building Code (IEBC – 2009) ~Portions Excluded
• International Residential Code (IRC – 2009) ~Portions Excluded
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC – 2009) ~In its Entirety
• ASHRAE 62.1 – 2007 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) ~In its Entirety
• ASHRAE 62.1 – 2007 (Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise · Residential Buildings) ~In its Entirety
• ASHRAE 90.1 – 2007 (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

Detailed information regarding the portions excluded from Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be found online at The Department of Public Safety’s website (under Agency Information – “Bureaus” and click on Building Codes and Standards) or by contacting the Code Enforcement Office.

*ASTM E-1465-2006 Standard practice for Radon Control Option for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings is in effect throughout the State of Maine as of December 1, 2010, in units which have never been occupied and in new homes equipped with a radon reduction system. All building permits issued after this date for modular or stick-built homes, which are equipped with a radon reduction system, they must be constructed according to ASTM Standard E 1465-2006, or not installed. A contractor/homeowner must be certified in this radon practice.  The certification process can be done online.

Business License

A license is required to operate a new or relocated business within the City of Ellsworth. Depending on the type of business or the location you choose, there may be additional permitting and or approval requirements to fulfill. As part of your business plan, please consider contacting us as early in the process as possible, to ascertain how we can assist you in moving forward. To learn more, please contact Loretta Roberts, Deputy Code Enforcement Officer at 207-667-4910 or at lroberts@ellsworthmaine.gov.

An Electrical Permit is required to install new equipment or to make additions or alterations to existing equipment. The City of Ellsworth has adopted the 2014 National Electric Code.

Required Inspections

• Temporary/Permanent Service
• Underground Service (before back filling)
• Rough-in (interior wiring run)
• Final (fixtures are installed-move in condition)
• Certificate of Occupancy

A Plumbing Permit is required to install or relocate all types of internal plumbing fixtures in either a new or existing structure. The City of Ellsworth requires the minimum standards set forth in the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code.

Required Inspections

• Rough in (water and waste lines are installed – air pressure or water filled is required)
• Final (fixtures are installed-move in condition)

A Public Sewer Connection Permit is required to hook-up to the public sewer system or proposing a substantial change in the volume or character of effluents that are being discharged into the system. Required inspection procedures are included on the permit application. For more information, see the Ellsworth Sewer Ordinance.

A Subsurface Wastewater Disposal System Permit is required to install a private wastewater disposal system, including but not limited to a new, replacement, expanded, experimental or seasonal conversion system. A permit is also required for individually installed components of such systems.

* Subsurface Wastewater Disposal System Applications are usually provided to you by a site evaluator, please bring three (3) copies into our office to obtain your permit and one will be returned to you with a permit sticker applied to it. Click here for the State of Maine-Division of Environment Health.

Required Inspections

• Scarification
• Final (before back filling)