Isle au Haut, ME — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Board of Selectmen / Code Enforcement (part-time or shared)

Street address

Town Office, Isle au Haut, ME 04645

Phone

207-335-5200

Coverage

Town of Isle au Haut, one of the most remote municipalities in Knox County. Population approximately 70 year-round residents (one of the smallest towns in Maine). Accessible only by mail boat from Stonington, Hancock County (approximately 45 minutes). Much of the island is within Acadia National Park (Isle au Haut Unit), administered by the National Park Service. Code enforcement is extremely limited given tiny population; selectmen may serve code enforcement functions. Any construction near or within national park boundaries requires NPS coordination. Shoreland zoning applies throughout given island geography. MUBEC does not apply (far below threshold). Any work should be coordinated with town selectmen well in advance.

Online portal

Town of Isle au Haut

In-person or by mail

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Isle au Haut

Any new construction, structural alterations, demolition. NPS coordination required for any work within or adjacent to Acadia National Park (Isle au Haut Unit). Shoreland Zoning permit required for essentially any coastal or waterfront work.

Scope of work

Permit?

Routine maintenance and repair

Exempt

Exempt Routine maintenance and repair

Note: Confirm with town; given NPS involvement, even maintenance may require coordination for structures near park land

Required documents

Application
Site plan
Documentation of NPS coordination if applicable

Building code: MUBEC does not apply; local standards or adopted Maine building codes may apply; confirm with selectmen
Permit validity: Confirm with selectmen
Owner-builder: Owner may be GC; licensed trades required though finding licensed contractors to serve this remote location is a significant practical challenge
Contractor requirements: Maine-licensed electrician and plumber; expect significant access and logistics challenges

Source: Board of Selectmen / Code Enforcement (part-time or shared) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Allow very extended lead time; extremely remote logistics

01

Contact town selectmen via phone or mail well in advance of any construction project.
02

Obtain applicable permit application (building, shoreland zoning, NPS coordination if near national park boundary).
03

Submit application to town office.
04

Approval by selectmen or designated CEO.
05

Coordinate inspection scheduling around boat transport logistics.
06

Obtain final approval.

Typical processing time: Allow very extended lead time; extremely remote logistics

Source: Board of Selectmen / Code Enforcement (part-time or shared) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Isle au Haut building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Contact town office

Cash or check payable to Town of Isle au Haut

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

207-335-5200 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: All access by boat from Stonington, Deer Isle
Inspection hours: Extremely limited; no regular inspection schedule; plan all inspections carefully

Typical sequence: Minimal; confirm what stages require inspection with town

Boat access makes reinspections extremely costly; ensure readiness before scheduling

Source: Board of Selectmen / Code Enforcement (part-time or shared) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Isle au Haut permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Isle au Haut, ME? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Isle au Haut, ME? ▸

Building permit fees in Isle au Haut, ME are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Contact town office.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Isle au Haut, ME? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Isle au Haut, ME, follow these steps: 1. Contact town selectmen via phone or mail well in advance of any construction project. 2. Obtain applicable permit application (building, shoreland zoning, NPS coordination if near national park boundary). 3. Submit application to town office. 4. Approval by selectmen or designated CEO. 5. Coordinate inspection scheduling around boat transport logistics. 6. Obtain final approval.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Isle au Haut, ME? ▸

Building permit processing times in Isle au Haut, ME typically run Allow very extended lead time; extremely remote logistics. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Isle au Haut, ME? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Isle au Haut, ME. The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and repair. Note: Confirm with town; given NPS involvement, even maintenance may require coordination for structures near park land When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Isle au Haut, ME? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Isle au Haut, ME via: 207-335-5200. All access by boat from Stonington, Deer Isle.

last verified April 2026 source Board of Selectmen / Code Enforcement (part-time or shared) ↗ entry id permits/maine/knox/isle-au-haut

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Board of Selectmen / Code Enforcement (part-time or shared) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Isle au Haut

Other jurisdictions in Knox County.