Not a government site. Always confirm with your local building department before you build. About us

Building Permit Requirements
Menu

Maine building code

The residential code in Maine is the MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE FOR ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN MAINE1.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Codes in force in Maine
  2. Scope, amendments and transition rules
  3. How Maine adopts building codes
  4. What local governments may change
  5. Sources

Codes in force in Maine

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffectiveAdopted by
International Residential Code (IRC)MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE FOR ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN MAINE120212–Technical Building Codes and Standards Board2
International Building Code (IBC)MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - COMMERCIAL BUILDING CODE OF MAINE320212–Technical Building Codes and Standards Board2
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - EXISTING BUILDING CODE420212–Technical Building Codes and Standards Board2
Energy code, residentialMAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - ENERGY CODE520212–Technical Building Codes and Standards Board2
Energy code, commercialMAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - ENERGY CODE520212–Technical Building Codes and Standards Board2
International Mechanical Code (IMC)MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE – MECHANICAL CODE620212–Technical Building Codes and Standards Board2
National Electrical Code (NEC)National Electrical Code (2026 edition)7202677Electricians’ Examining Board7
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)2021 Uniform Plumbing Code8202188Plumbers' Examining Board8
State codeNFPA 1: Fire Prevention Code, 2018 Edition920189–Maine Office of State Fire Marshal1
State codeNFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2018 Edition920189–Maine Office of State Fire Marshal1
State codeNFPA 54: National Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Edition920219–Maine Office of State Fire Marshal1

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere2
Local amendments allowed?
No10
Amendments
08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 61
Next edition (not yet in force)
None proposed11

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere2
Local amendments allowed?
No10
Amendments
08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 43
Next edition (not yet in force)
None proposed11

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere2
Local amendments allowed?
No10
Amendments
08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 54
Next edition (not yet in force)
None proposed11

Energy code, residential

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere2
Local amendments allowed?
No10
Amendments
08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 75
Next edition (not yet in force)
None proposed11

Energy code, commercial

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere2
Local amendments allowed?
No10
Amendments
08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 75
Next edition (not yet in force)
None proposed11

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere2
Local amendments allowed?
No10
Amendments
08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 86
Next edition (not yet in force)
None proposed11

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope
Statewide; applies everywhere12
Applies to
Installations commencing on or after July 1, 20267
Local amendments allowed?
Local ordinances also apply12
Amendments
02-318 C.M.R. Ch. 1207

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

Scope
Statewide minimum; local governments may go further13
Amendments
02-395 C.M.R. Ch. 48

State code: NFPA 1: Fire Prevention Code, 2018 Edition

Scope
Fire and fuel standards stay in force alongside MUBEC14

State code: NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2018 Edition

Scope
Fire and fuel standards stay in force alongside MUBEC14

State code: NFPA 54: National Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Edition

Scope
Fire and fuel standards stay in force alongside MUBEC14

How Maine adopts building codes

10 M.R.S. §§9721-9725; 25 M.R.S. §§2371-2373; 08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 2

  • MUBEC is the uniform statewide code. "Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code" means the uniform statewide building and energy code adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter.15
  • Board sits within the Maine Office of Community Affairs. The Technical Building Codes and Standards Board, established in Title 5, section 12004‑G, subsection 5‑A and located within the Maine Office of Community Affairs, is established to adopt, amend and maintain the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code…16
  • Codes are mandatory; editions must be current or previous. …each code or standard adopted under paragraph B is either the most recent edition or the edition previous to the most recent edition of that code or standard…16
  • Owner is responsible even where the town does not enforce. Compliance with the MUBEC is mandatory and the responsibility of the building owner, regardless of whether a building is located in a municipality that enforces the MUBEC.17
  • Population is by latest decennial census. “Population” means the number of residents living in the municipality according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent decennial census.2
  • IFC not used in residential code. Delete “International Fire Code”…1
  • IPC not used in residential code. Delete “International Plumbing Code”…1
  • IFGC not used in residential code. Delete “International Fuel Gas Code”…1
  • Division moved to MOCA. TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE RULE: The authority to administer and enforce this rule (formerly 16-642 C.M.R. Ch. 1) was transferred to the Maine Office of Community Affairs on September 24, 2025 pursuant to PL 2025, c. 388.2
Can local rules be stricter?
No10

What local governments may change

10 M.R.S. §9724; 08-003 C.M.R. Ch. 2 §4

  • Express limit on home rule. This chapter provides express limitations on municipal home rule authority.10
  • Small towns cannot use another code. A municipality of up to 4,000 residents is not required to enforce, but may not adopt or enforce a building code other than the Maine Uniform Building Code, the Maine Uniform Energy Code or the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.10
  • Inconsistent building code ordinances are void. …any ordinance regarding a building code of any political subdivision of the State that is inconsistent with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code is void.10
  • Local enforcement ordinances allowed. …this section does not prohibit the adoption or enforcement of an ordinance of any political subdivision that sets forth provisions for local enforcement of building codes.10
  • Pool fencing ordinance allowed. This section does not prohibit the adoption or enforcement of an ordinance of any political subdivision that sets forth the swimming pool fencing standards, without amendment, contained in Appendix G of the 2nd edition of the 2009 International Residential Code.10
  • Land use and fire ordinances not voided. …this provision does not apply to any adopted fire & life safety code, fire safety ordinance or any land use ordinance, including Land Use Planning Commission rules.2
  • Optional stretch code. A municipality may choose to adopt the MUBEC Stretch Code, Energy Code Appendix NA, and if so, it shall be enforced in addition to the base energy code (Chapter 7 of these rules) in its entirety as the minimum energy code for that municipality.2
  • Plumbing ordinances may be stricter. Municipalities may enact ordinances under their home rule authority that are more restrictive than rules governing plumbing or subsurface wastewater disposal systems adopted by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.18

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Maine building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.

Sources

  1. Ch. 6 MUBEC - Residential Building Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings in MaineMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised March 4, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Ch. 2 MUBEC - Administrative ProceduresMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised July 22, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Ch. 4 MUBEC - Commercial Building Code of MaineMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised March 4, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
  4. Ch. 5 MUBEC - Existing Building CodeMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised March 4, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
  5. Ch. 7 MUBEC - Energy CodeMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised March 4, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
  6. Ch. 8 MUBEC - Mechanical CodeMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised March 4, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
  7. 02-318 C.M.R. Ch. 120: Electrical Installation StandardsMaine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Electricians’ Examining BoardEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  8. Plumbers' Examining BoardMaine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Plumbers’ Examining BoardChecked November 5, 2026
  9. State Adopted NFPA StandardsMaine Department of Public Safety, Office of the State Fire MarshalChecked November 5, 2026
  10. Title 10, §9724: ApplicationMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  11. Laws & Rules | Maine Office of Community AffairsMaine Office of Community AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
  12. Title 32, §1153-A: Standards; installationMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  13. Title 32, §3403-B: Plumbing codeMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  14. Title 10, §9725: Fire and building-related codes and standards remainMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  15. Title 10, §9721: DefinitionsMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  16. Title 10, §9722: Technical Building Codes and Standards BoardMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  17. Code Enforcement | Maine Office of Community AffairsMaine Office of Community AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
  18. Title 30-A, §4211: Plumbing regulationsMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 5, 2026