Skowhegan, ME Code Violation Reporting: Response Times (2026)

Section VIII of the Property Maintenance Ordinance, adopted at the Annual Town Meeting on June 13, 2022, sets the whole timeline. The Code Enforcement Officer notifies the violator. The first notice is delivered by hand or sent by routine mail. The second notice goes by certified mail to the last known address. If the second notice is returned undelivered, a copy is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure or property.

Every notice must explain the nature of the violation and require corrective action within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt, or 7 days for a health and/or safety violation. The violator can appeal the Code Enforcement Officer's decision to the Town Selectmen with a written application filed within 7 days of notification. An appeal of a notice or order, other than an imminent danger notice, stays enforcement until the Selectmen hear it, and the days for compliance start after that hearing.

Section VIII.2 adds extension rights. A violator can submit a written request to the Code Enforcement Officer for a one-time extension, and a financial hardship extension requires proof such as tax returns and proof of expenses. If a violation is discovered between November 1 and April 1 and winter weather prevents correction, a one-time winter extension can be given. These extensions are at the officer's discretion, and the officer can also offer one special extension of up to 180 days if a reasonable hardship is shown.

Other clocks sit elsewhere in the ordinance. Section VI sets 90 days after casualty damage to repair or restore, and seven days to secure a dangerous building after the written order. Section V.1(d) sets 30 days to remove signs after a business closes. The Code Enforcement Officer represents the Town in District Court under Rule 80-K, but reviews the case with the Town Selectmen first if the Town Attorney is needed.