City Building Permits
Biddeford, ME - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Biddeford, Maine. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Full city jurisdiction; enforces MUBEC, IBC, IRC, plumbing, and electrical codes
- Department
- Code Enforcement Office, City of Biddeford
- Address
- City Hall, 205 Main Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
- Phone
- (207) 284-9236
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person and email submission; no dedicated online portal identified • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Download application from the city website or pick up at the Code Enforcement Office
- Prepare three copies of required documents (deed or sales agreement, HHE-200 if applicable, scaled plans)
- Submit application with all documents in person or by email
- Code Enforcement Officer reviews for zoning compliance and code compliance
- Any Planning Board referral handled if required by ordinance
- Pay permit fee upon approval
- Permit issued; post on job site
Typical processing time: Residential 7-10 business days; commercial up to 14 days
General Requirements
Any construction, alteration, addition, demolition, or change of occupancy to a building or structure
Required Documents
- Completed application
- 3 copies of scaled plans
- deed or sales agreement (or agent letter)
- HHE-200 subsurface disposal form if applicable
- Permit validity
- Not specified in public sources; contact office for current policy
- Building code
- Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) including IBC and IRC
- Owner-builder
- Not separately specified; contact office
- Contractor requirements
- Maine-licensed plumbers and electricians required for respective permits
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not confirmed in public sources; contact office
- Plan check fee
- Included in review process; not separately published
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based per city ordinance
- Reinspection fee
- Not published in easily accessible sources; contact office
- Payment note
- Pay at Code Enforcement Office; email submission may require follow-up for payment
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Minor repairs and maintenance that do not affect structural integrity or life safety
- Work explicitly exempt under MUBEC Section 105.2 (Biddeford deleted some standard exemptions per local ordinance -- verify with office)
Important: Biddeford has customized its local exemptions; confirm specific exempt categories directly with the Code Enforcement Office
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (207) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Business hours; contact office for current schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, framing, insulation, final
Additional Resources
- Building code: Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) including IBC and IRC
- 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 Office, City of Biddeford before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Biddeford Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Biddeford, ME?
- Any construction, alteration, addition, demolition, or change of occupancy to a building or structure
- How much does a building permit cost in Biddeford, ME?
- The minimum permit fee is Not confirmed in public sources; contact office. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per city ordinance. Plan check fee: Included in review process; not separately published.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Biddeford, ME?
- 1. Download application from the city website or pick up at the Code Enforcement Office 2. Prepare three copies of required documents (deed or sales agreement, HHE-200 if applicable, scaled plans) 3. Submit application with all documents in person or by email 4. Code Enforcement Officer reviews for zoning compliance and code compliance 5. Any Planning Board referral handled if required by ordinance 6. Pay permit fee upon approval 7. Permit issued; post on job site
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Biddeford, ME?
- Typical processing time is Residential 7-10 business days; commercial up to 14 days.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Biddeford, ME?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs and maintenance that do not affect structural integrity or life safety; Work explicitly exempt under MUBEC Section 105.2 (Biddeford deleted some standard exemptions per local ordinance -- verify with office). Note: Biddeford has customized its local exemptions; confirm specific exempt categories directly with the Code Enforcement Office
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Biddeford, ME?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (207).
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