Town of Durham, Maine

Code Enforcement

Alan Plummer - Code Enforcement Officer

  • Call ahead at 207-407-3500 or email ceo@durhammaine.gov before doing any building or structural repairs, plumbing or wiring, or before opening any form of business. Alan has access to a wealth of information and is a valuable resource to citizens with questions.

Permits

To access a statewide septic system permit search from 2000 to current year, click here.

PERMIT REQUIRED IF YOU DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Building or placing any new structures over 200 square feet.
  • Demolition of any building or part of a building.
  • New plumbing work.
  • Added plumbing fixtures, or work on water shutoffs or any drain portion past the trap line. 
  • All electrical work.
  • Driveway, entrance, or approach within the limits of the Right-of-Way for any Town of Durham public road or private road requires a permit issued by the Town of Durham from the Durham ROAD COMMISSIONER.
  • All work related to a septic system other than periodic pumping of the tank or cleaning of the tank filters.

No permit required:

Note: If your home is within the Historic District, or within 1500 feet of Historic Property, special circumstances apply, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer.

  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
  • Replacement windows, not requiring reframing.
  • The replacement of plumbing fixtures and faucets.
  • One-story detached accessory structures that are used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
  • Fences not over six feet high.
  • Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
  • Swings and other playground equipment.
  • Decks that do not exceed 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point within 36 inches of the deck, are not attached to the dwelling and do not serve as the exit door to the structure as defined in Section R507 of the IRC Codes.
  • Replacing asphalt, metal roofing, or roofing repair.
  • Replacing vinyl siding, clapboards, or other, like siding.

Helpful Links

hard hat construction image

Building Code Information

Permit Applications

Zoning Map

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