Maine

Maine Permit Guide for Metal Carports, Garages and Barns

A Maine carport permit depends on your town, since who checks the statewide Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) depends on the size of your town. Towns with more than 4,000 residents must enforce it. Smaller towns can choose to enforce it, and many still require a local building or land use permit under their own ordinances. In the unorganized territories, the Land Use Planning Commission sets the rules. So the first call for any carport, garage or barn is your town office or code enforcement officer.

Building code in effect

Maine builds to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC). The current version is based on the 2021 International Residential Code and 2021 International Building Code, along with the 2021 IEBC, IECC and IMC, and took effect April 7, 2025. State law (10 M.R.S. 9722) requires the code to be the most recent edition of each model code or the one before it. The state Fire Marshal's Office says MUBEC applies to all buildings built or renovated in Maine, no matter the town's population, even where nobody inspects it.

Who issues permits

Permits come from your municipality, not the county. Under 10 M.R.S. 9724, a town with more than 4,000 residents must enforce MUBEC through plan review and inspections. A town of 4,000 or fewer is not required to enforce it, but if it adopts a building code it has to be MUBEC. Maine's version of the IRC says a permit is needed "where required by municipal ordinance," so local ordinances decide a lot. Zoning, shoreland and land use permits are separate from the building code and are also handled by the town. In the unorganized territories, the Land Use Planning Commission handles land use approval.

County permit guides

County guides are coming soon.

Don't see your county? Call 919-725-8176 and we'll help you find the right office.

When you need a permit

Small sheds: Maine's adopted IRC keeps the exemption for one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet, and lets towns exempt more by ordinance. Your town can still require a land use or zoning permit for setbacks.
Carports and garages: Over 200 square feet, plan on a building permit in any town that enforces MUBEC, which includes every town with more than 4,000 residents. In smaller towns, ask the code enforcement officer whether a local permit or land use approval is needed.
Unorganized territories: In LUPC areas, accessory structures like garages and sheds often do not need a permit, but they still have to meet land use standards. Before you build, you must fill out the LUPC Notice and Self-verification Form.
Small towns: A town of 4,000 or fewer can choose not to enforce MUBEC. That does not mean no rules. Many small towns still have building, shoreland or land use permits of their own.

Farm buildings

Maine law tells the code board to keep certain farm buildings out of the code. Under 10 M.R.S. 9722, sub-6, paragraph B-1, buildings used to house livestock, store harvested crops or cultivate crops are not subject to MUBEC (cannabis cultivation is not covered by this exemption). Buildings used mainly to process or store maple sap or syrup are also exempt. A pole barn for hay or animals can fall under this, but a garage or a building used for other purposes would not. Check with your town about electrical work, plumbing and any local land use or shoreland permit, since those are separate from MUBEC.

Wind and snow

Maine winters are long and heavy. Inland and northern Maine see heavy, long-lasting snow loads, and the coast deals with nor'easters and strong wind off the Gulf of Maine. Snow and wind design values change a lot between a coastal town and the western mountains or Aroostook County. Ask your local code enforcement officer for the design wind speed and ground snow load for your exact site before you order. Our partnered manufacturers offer certified buildings rated for 140 MPH wind and 35 PSF snow load, and higher ratings can be quoted where required.

Before you order

Find out if your town has more than 4,000 residents. If it does, expect MUBEC plan review and inspections.
If your land is near a lake, river or the ocean, ask the town about shoreland zoning before you pick a building size or spot.
In the unorganized territories, file the LUPC Notice and Self-verification Form before construction starts.
Ask the code enforcement officer for the ground snow load at your address. It can be very different from one end of the state to the other.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Maine?
It depends on your town. Towns with more than 4,000 residents must enforce MUBEC, so a carport over 200 square feet will usually need a permit there. Smaller towns set their own permit rules, and in the unorganized territories you file an LUPC self-verification form instead.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Maine?
Usually, yes, in any town that enforces MUBEC, since a garage is well over the 200 square foot shed exemption. Even in a small town that does not enforce the building code, you may still need a land use or shoreland permit. Call your code enforcement officer first.

Are farm buildings exempt?
Buildings used to house livestock, store harvested crops or cultivate crops are not subject to MUBEC under 10 M.R.S. 9722. Maple sugarhouses are exempt too. The exemption covers the building code, not local zoning or electrical work, so check with your town.

Sources

Permit rules change. Always confirm with your local permit office before you build.

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