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§ ME Franklin County
County building permits

Unincorporated Franklin County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, Maine. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Code adoption
Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC)
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) - Western Regional Office

Street address
932 U.S. Route 2 East, Wilton, ME 04294
Phone
(207) 670-7492
Email
ApplicationSubmissions.LUPC@maine.gov
Coverage
Approximately 42.5% of Franklin County's total area consists of unorganized townships and gores. These areas have no local municipal government. LUPC is the exclusive planning, zoning, and permitting authority. Includes: Lang Township, Davis Township, Tim Pond Township, Stetsontown Township, Jim Pond Township, Alder Stream Township, Seven Ponds Township, Kibby Township, Chain of Ponds Township, Massachusetts Gore, Coburn Gore, Skinner Township, Merrill Strip, Lowelltown Township, Gorham Gore, Beattie Township, Salem Township (partially organized/adjacent), and various other numbered and named townships.
Online portal
LUPC Building Permit Help Page
Maine State Website
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Franklin County

Permits required for new residential structures (house, cabin, camp, lodge), additions or expansions to existing residential structures, new commercial structures, new non-residential structures above LUPC threshold, and development in or near shoreland areas.

Accessory structures under 750 sq ft meeting LUPC setback and siting standards (self-certification only, as of January 29, 2025).
Maximum 750 sq ft footprint expansion per two-year period under self-certification.
Minor repairs and routine maintenance generally do not require permits; confirm with LUPC for specific scope.
  • Exempt Accessory structures under 750 sq ft meeting LUPC setback and siting standards (self-certification only, as of January 29, 2025).
  • Exempt Maximum 750 sq ft footprint expansion per two-year period under self-certification.
  • Exempt Minor repairs and routine maintenance generally do not require permits; confirm with LUPC for specific scope.

Note: LUPC setback minimums under self-cert: 100 feet from lakes and rivers; 75 feet from other water bodies and wetlands; 15 feet from property lines.

Required documents
  • LUPC Building Permit Application
  • Lot coverage calculation
  • Land division/ownership history
  • Listing of all existing structures and uses with year built
  • Permanent foundation specifications (if applicable)
  • Landowner permission letter (if leasing)
  • HHE-200 form (for new or expanded sewage systems)
Building code
Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC)

Source: Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) - Western Regional Office ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Pre-application: Contact Jennifer Larson at the LUPC Western Regional Office to discuss the project and confirm the applicable fee (referenced in Question 9 of the permit application).
  2. 02
    Application completeness: Gather all required materials -- lot coverage calculation, land division/ownership history, listing of all existing structures and uses with year built, permanent foundation specifications (if applicable), landowner permission letter (if leasing), HHE-200 form (for new or expanded sewage systems).
  3. 03
    Submit: Email to ApplicationSubmissions.LUPC@maine.gov (preferred) or mail to 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Use the current BP Application (ver. 03/2025).
  4. 04
    Review: LUPC staff review for compliance with LUPC land use standards (Chapter 10, Subchapter I) and applicable environmental regulations.
  5. 05
    Accessory structures: As of January 29, 2025, new accessory structures meeting LUPC standards (under 750 sq ft, proper setbacks) require self-certification notification only, not a full permit. Use the LUPC Accessory Structure Self-Verification Form.
  6. 06
    Short-term rentals: Operators must file notification with LUPC (effective January 12, 2026).

Source: Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) - Western Regional Office ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (207) 670-7492 (phone)
  • ApplicationSubmissions.LUPC@maine.gov (email)
Inspection hours
Open to public by appointment only.

Typical sequence: LUPC conducts or oversees site inspections. Plumbing inspections through licensed LPIs associated with the LUPC region (e.g., Paul Ferguson-Packard for the Rangeley-area UT). Septic/subsurface permits through Maine DHHS-SWP with HHE-200 form.

Source: Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) - Western Regional Office ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Franklin County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, ME? ▸
Permits required for new residential structures (house, cabin, camp, lodge), additions or expansions to existing residential structures, new commercial structures, new non-residential structures above LUPC threshold, and development in or near shoreland areas.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, ME? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, ME, follow these steps: 1. Pre-application: Contact Jennifer Larson at the LUPC Western Regional Office to discuss the project and confirm the applicable fee (referenced in Question 9 of the permit application). 2. Application completeness: Gather all required materials -- lot coverage calculation, land division/ownership history, listing of all existing structures and uses with year built, permanent foundation specifications (if applicable), landowner permission letter (if leasing), HHE-200 form (for new or expanded sewage systems). 3. Submit: Email to ApplicationSubmissions.LUPC@maine.gov (preferred) or mail to 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Use the current BP Application (ver. 03/2025). 4. Review: LUPC staff review for compliance with LUPC land use standards (Chapter 10, Subchapter I) and applicable environmental regulations. 5. Accessory structures: As of January 29, 2025, new accessory structures meeting LUPC standards (under 750 sq ft, proper setbacks) require self-certification notification only, not a full permit. Use the LUPC Accessory Structure Self-Verification Form. 6. Short-term rentals: Operators must file notification with LUPC (effective January 12, 2026).
03 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Franklin County, ME? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Franklin County, ME. The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures under 750 sq ft meeting LUPC setback and siting standards (self-certification only, as of January 29, 2025).; Maximum 750 sq ft footprint expansion per two-year period under self-certification.; Minor repairs and routine maintenance generally do not require permits; confirm with LUPC for specific scope.. Note: LUPC setback minimums under self-cert: 100 feet from lakes and rivers; 75 feet from other water bodies and wetlands; 15 feet from property lines. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, ME? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, ME via: (207) 670-7492, ApplicationSubmissions.LUPC@maine.gov.
last verified April 2026 source Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) - Western Regional Office ↗ entry id permits/maine/franklin/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) - Western Regional Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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