Skowhegan, ME Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Building permits in the Town of Skowhegan are governed by Section 5 of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code Administrative Ordinance, adopted at Town Meeting on June 11, 2012 and effective July 1, 2012. The ordinance does not list its own dollar thresholds for when a permit is needed: it states that building permits are required as per the MUBEC and expire as specified there. The Building Official receives permit applications, examines construction documents and issues permits for the erection and alterations of buildings and structures.

The Building Official issues no permit until the applicant submits a completed building permit application. The application must identify and describe the work, describe the land by legal description, street address or similar description, indicate the use and occupancy intended, be accompanied by construction documents and other information required by the MUBEC, state the valuation of the proposed work, and be signed by the applicant or the applicant's authorized agent. The Building Official can also require such other data and information as needed. For structures covered by the International Building Code, the application must include certification of a contractual arrangement between a Third-Party Inspector and the building owner, and a copy of all required State of Maine Fire Marshal's building permits must be included.

Under Section 6, the Building Official examines applications and either issues the permit or sends written notice of refusal stating the reasons. All other permits required for the proposal must be obtained before the building permit is issued, and Section 4(h) has the Building Official refer permits requiring subdivision, shoreland zoning or floodplain review to the Planning Board.

Before a permit is issued the applicant pays a non-refundable application fee, and fees are set by the Board of Selectmen in a published schedule. Under Section 10, any modification after issuance requires a revised permit application and a revised permit before work begins. Separately, the Skowhegan Building Safety Ordinance, Section (11)B, requires anyone constructing or placing a new principal or accessory structure to notify the Code Enforcement Officer on forms provided by the Town.