Dixmont, ME Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

The Town of Dixmont Building Code Ordinance, dated March 21, 2009 and officially amended March 17, 2018, sets the permit trigger in Section 6(A). Before the construction of any building, accessory structure, enlargement of buildings or accessory structures, or siting of a mobile home begins, the owner or authorized agent submits an application and the application fee to the Code Enforcement Officer, on a form the officer supplies. Section 2 applies the permit procedure to the construction, placement, relocation, enlargement and replacement of all buildings and accessory structures in Dixmont. For any building that needs a subsurface wastewater disposal system, Section 6(B) bars a complete application until it includes the Maine site evaluation form HHE-200, completed by a licensed site evaluator and showing adequate soil conditions.

Under Section 6(C) the officer reviews completed applications against the ordinance standards and, within 15 days of receipt, either returns the approved permit or sends written notice of denial citing the specific respects in which the proposal does not comply. An aggrieved applicant appeals to the Dixmont Board of Appeals within 30 days under Section 12. Section 8 adds that no permit is issued unless the proposal complies with all applicable state law and regulation, local ordinances, and the listed standards, including a twenty (20) foot boundary line setback and a two (2) acre minimum lot.

Section 7(A) sets non-returnable application fees on a schedule by building type and size, and it exempts small accessory structures: those under 80 square feet, agricultural buildings included, are not subject to the ordinance, and those from 80 to 199 square feet need a no-cost permit. Section 7(B) covers after-the-fact permits: an application filed after substantial construction without the required permit must be accompanied or preceded by payment of twice the fee for a timely permit, plus enforcement costs set by the Code Enforcement Officer. Substantial construction includes pouring a slab or footings, installing piles, or any work beyond excavation; clearing, grading and filling do not count.