City Building Permits
Town of China, ME - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Town of China, Maine. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Town of China; all construction and land use within town limits
- Department
- Code Enforcement Officer / Building Official
- Address
- 571 Lakeview Drive, China, ME 04358
- Phone
- (207) 445-2014 option 5
- ceo@chinamaine.org
Application Process
- Contact CEO Nicholas French at ceo@chinamaine.org or (207) 445-2014 option 5
- Download building permit application or CEO permit application from chinamaine.org
- Complete application; attach site plan and required supporting documents
- Submit to town office at 571 Lakeview Drive
- CEO has 35 days to issue or deny permit after complete application received
- Fee collected per fee schedule (updated 2/24/2025)
- Permit issued; keep on site; obtain required inspections
- For shoreland zone work: all contractors must be DEP-certified in erosion and sediment control
Typical processing time: CEO has 35 days to issue permit once complete application received
General Requirements
Permits must be obtained BEFORE starting any project or fines and possible removal may result; new construction, additions, renovations, demolitions, driveways, signs, plumbing, and shoreland zone work
Required Documents
- Building Permit Application or CEO Permit Application
- site plan
- plumbing application (internal)
- variance and appeal application if needed
- DEP shoreland zone certifications for applicable projects
- Building code
- References IRC (International Residential Code) including frost-protected shallow foundations and egress window standards; MUBEC adoption status -- contact CEO (China population under 4,000)
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors in shoreland zone must be DEP-certified in erosion and sedimentation control; electrical and plumbing require state licensing
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Included in review fees per fee schedule
- Payment note
- Contact office
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Not explicitly listed; contact CEO
- Deck standards and fastening guides available on website; contact CEO to confirm if permit needed
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the permitting office before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ceo@chinamaine.org (email)
- (207) 445-2014 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 AM-4:30 PM; closed Wednesday; first and last Saturday 8:00 AM-11:00 AM
Additional Resources
- Building code: References IRC (International Residential Code) including frost-protected shallow foundations and egress window standards; MUBEC adoption status -- contact CEO (China population under 4,000)
- Verify contractor license: Maine IBOL License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- License lookup guide: Maine Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Maine Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Maine hub: Maine Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Code Enforcement Officer / Building Official before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Town of China Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Town of China, ME?
- Permits must be obtained BEFORE starting any project or fines and possible removal may result; new construction, additions, renovations, demolitions, driveways, signs, plumbing, and shoreland zone work
- How do I apply for a building permit in Town of China, ME?
- 1. Contact CEO Nicholas French at ceo@chinamaine.org or (207) 445-2014 option 5 2. Download building permit application or CEO permit application from chinamaine.org 3. Complete application; attach site plan and required supporting documents 4. Submit to town office at 571 Lakeview Drive 5. CEO has 35 days to issue or deny permit after complete application received 6. Fee collected per fee schedule (updated 2/24/2025) 7. Permit issued; keep on site; obtain required inspections 8. For shoreland zone work: all contractors must be DEP-certified in erosion and sediment control
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of China, ME?
- Typical processing time is CEO has 35 days to issue permit once complete application received.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Town of China, ME?
- The following work is generally exempt: Not explicitly listed; contact CEO; Deck standards and fastening guides available on website; contact CEO to confirm if permit needed. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the permitting office before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of China, ME?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: ceo@chinamaine.org, (207) 445-2014.
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