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City building permits

Town of Castine

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Castine, Maine. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

Code Enforcement / Town Office, Town of Castine

Street address
Emerson Hall, 67 Court Street, P.O. Box 204, Castine, ME 04421
Coverage
Town of Castine. Very small town (~1,300 population). Well below 4,000 -- MUBEC enforcement is voluntary. Historic maritime town; home to Maine Maritime Academy. Active Historic Preservation Commission and Historic Preservation Ordinance. Significant shoreland and coastal considerations. National Register historic district.
Online portal
Town Office
In-person Submission
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Castine

Building, flood plain, subdivision, sewer connection, plumbing, historic preservation (if applicable), and fire permits. All permits available at the town office.

Ordinary maintenance and repair
  • Exempt Ordinary maintenance and repair

Note: Confirm with CEO; historic district work has very limited exemptions even for minor changes to exteriors.

Required documents
  • Application form
  • Site plan
  • Construction drawings
  • Flood zone documentation if applicable
  • Historic preservation application if applicable
Building code
Castine is below 4,000 population; MUBEC is optional. Town enforces local building and zoning ordinance. Contact CEO to confirm current code standard applied.
Contractor requirements
Maine-licensed electrician and plumber.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Contact the town office at 207-326-4502 or visit Emerson Hall to speak with the Code Enforcement Officer about your project.
  2. 02
    Determine all required permits: building permit, flood plain permit (if in flood zone), subdivision permit (if applicable), sewer connection permit, internal plumbing permit, subsurface wastewater permit, historic preservation approval (if within historic district or affecting historic resources), fire permit.
  3. 03
    For projects in the historic district, obtain Historic Preservation Commission approval before or concurrent with building permit application.
  4. 04
    Obtain application forms from Emerson Hall.
  5. 05
    Submit completed application with required documents.
  6. 06
    CEO reviews for compliance with local zoning ordinance and applicable codes.
  7. 07
    Pay fee and receive permit.
  8. 08
    Post permit at job site; schedule inspections.

Source: Code Enforcement / Town Office, Town of Castine ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 207-326-4502 (phone)
§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Castine permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Castine, ME?
Building, flood plain, subdivision, sewer connection, plumbing, historic preservation (if applicable), and fire permits. All permits available at the town office.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in Castine, ME?
To apply for a building permit in Castine, ME, follow these steps: 1. Contact the town office at 207-326-4502 or visit Emerson Hall to speak with the Code Enforcement Officer about your project. 2. Determine all required permits: building permit, flood plain permit (if in flood zone), subdivision permit (if applicable), sewer connection permit, internal plumbing permit, subsurface wastewater permit, historic preservation approval (if within historic district or affecting historic resources), fire permit. 3. For projects in the historic district, obtain Historic Preservation Commission approval before or concurrent with building permit application. 4. Obtain application forms from Emerson Hall. 5. Submit completed application with required documents. 6. CEO reviews for compliance with local zoning ordinance and applicable codes. 7. Pay fee and receive permit. 8. Post permit at job site; schedule inspections.
03 What work is exempt from building permits in Castine, ME?
Not all construction work requires a permit in Castine, ME. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary maintenance and repair. Note: Confirm with CEO; historic district work has very limited exemptions even for minor changes to exteriors. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Castine, ME?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Castine, ME via: 207-326-4502.
last verified April 2026 source Code Enforcement / Town Office, Town of Castine ↗ entry id permits/maine/hancock/castine

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Code Enforcement / Town Office, Town of Castine before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.