A building permit is required for the construction or alteration of any building or structure such as: 

• Demolition of a structure
• Change in use or occupancy of any structure 
• Buildings or structures moved into or within the Town of Kennebunk (including sheds; any shed larger than 200 sq.ft. must include plans)
• Swimming pool installation
• Interior alterations (renovations, window replacement, etc.)

A building permit is also required for: 

• Residential and Commercial Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System
• Installation of a permanent sign or banner
• Filling, grading, lagooning, dredging or timber harvesting in any Shoreland or Resource Protection Zoning Districts
• Construction or alteration of piers, docks and wharves
• Chimney construction or modification
• Electrical and Plumbing work (including septic system installation)
• Driveway openings (may require additional permits from MDOT and/or Town of Kennebunk Public Services Department)

Additional permits may be required for properties located in the Historic Preservation, Shoreland and/or Resource Protection Zoning Districts. The Code Enforcement Officer shall not act upon any application for building permit until all other permits which may be required by the Zoning Ordinance, and other local ordinances, or under State or Federal law regulations have been received. 

All building permit applications shall include:  

1. A plan drawn to scale including:

• Dimensions (in feet) of the lot
• Any streets, alleys or right of ways on or adjacent to the lot if applicable
• Location and ground coverage of all buildings proposed to be constructed, moved or demolished
• Location of any wetlands and any other water bodies

2. A statement of the intended use of any buildings and the lot even in event of demolition;

3. Septic design for a wastewater disposal system or statement of Sewer District connection approval

Once your permit has been received it has been deemed complete, it will be reviewed by a Code Enforcement Officer.  If there are any questions about your permit application, or if additional information is needed, you will be contacted using the contact information provided on your permit application. 

The Code Enforcement Officer will approve or deny applications for building permit within thirty (30) days from the date of filing a complete application. Current turnaround time for permit issuance is approximately 2-3 weeks.

Once your permit has been approved, you will be notified by email that your permit is ready to be picked up as well as the cost for the permit.  

If you have additional, specific questions for a Code Enforcement Officer please contact our office to schedule a phone call or a meeting at (207) 604-1303 or via email.  

The Town of Kennebunk adheres to and enforces the following: 

State of Maine Uniform Building & Energy Codes, which include:

• International Residential Code 2021 edition
• International Building Code 2021 edition
• International Energy Conservation Code 2021 edition
• International Existing Buildings Code 2021 edition

A permit granted by the Code Enforcement Officer, under the provisions of this Ordinance, shall automatically expire if the work or change involved is not commenced within six months of the date on which the permit is granted, and if the exterior work or change is not substantially completed within one (1) year of date of issue.

Yes, a building permit is required for sheds. 

In addition, if the shed is larger than 200 sq. ft., plans must be submitted with the building permit application. 

Yes.

The State Model Energy Code requires windows and doors to meet current standards.

There a four different ways to achieve compliance to the energy code and the applicant or builder needs to choose one.  Under the 2021 IECC the requirement options are now (as amended by MUBEC):

• Prescriptive path –
  1. Ceiling: R-60
  2. Exterior Wall: R30 or 20 + 10ci or 13 + 15ci or 0 + 20ci – (2021 IECC) with a continuous barrier surrounding the structure.
  3. Floor over basement/crawl space: R-30
  4. Basement Wall: R-15ci or R-19 or 13+5ci (continuous insulation)
• Total UA or res-check
• Simulated Performance path alternative
• Energy rating index
  
  Please contact the Code Enforcement Office with further questions on energy requirements.