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Building Codes

The Town of Falmouth uses the following Codes:

  • New IRC/IBC Code effective June 1, 2009 IRC/IBC 2009 Code -see below
  • The IRC 2009 for Residential Projects
  • The IBC 2009 for Commercial Projects
  • The Maine State Plumbing Code 10 - 144 CMR 238
  • The Maine Subsurface Waste Water Disposal Rules 144A CMR 241
  • NFPA 211 - Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel - burning Appliances 1996 Edition
  • NFPA 31 - Standard for Oil Burning Equipment
  • NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code
  • NFPA/NEC 70 - National Electrical Code
  • Wind speed at 100 MPH and Ground Snow Load at 60 psf, and 48 inch frost depth.  

Maine Building and Energy Code - October, 2009
The Maine Legislature enacted the Uniform Building and Energy Code (PL 2007, Chapter 699 and amendments PL 2009, Chapter 261). The State Planning Office is pleased to provide some answers to frequently-asked questions about the new code.

Who administers the state building code and training program?
A Technical Building Codes and Standards Board located within the Department of Public Safety was established to adopt, amend, and maintain the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, to resolve conflicts between the uniform code and other codes, and to develop standards for training and certification for municipal building officials, local code enforcement officers and 3rd-party inspectors.


This means that the board is will establish training and certification standards. The State Planning Office will develop a program of training and certification based on these standards. SPO will be hiring a building code training coordinator as the technical board moves through the process of determining training standards.
Questions about the building code itself, its adoption, or the standards should be directed to Kathy Chamberlain at the Department of Public Safety at 207-626-3803.


When will the state code be adopted?
The date for adoption of the statewide building code has been changed to June 1, 2010. Local codes remain in effect until the state code is adopted.


When will enforcement of the new codes begin?
Enforcement is optional in towns with less than 2000 residents.

In a municipality that has more than 2,000 residents and that has adopted any building code by August 1, 2008, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code must be enforced beginning December 1, 2010.

In a municipality that has more than 2,000 residents and that has not adopted any building code by August 1, 2008, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code must be enforced beginning July 1, 2012. 

What codes will be adopted?
The Technical Codes and Standards Board will amend and adopt:
The International Building Code (IBC)
The International Residential Code (IRC)
The International Existing Building Code (“Rehab code”, IEBC)
The International Energy and Conservation Code (IECC)


Once the codes are adopted statewide, will towns be able to amend the codes?
No. The purpose of the state code is to have a uniform code statewide. The intent of the legislation is that architects, developers, builders and contractors will be held to the same standards in each town.


How can I monitor the progress on the codes?
The Technical Codes and Standards Board meets bimonthly. Agendas and information on the board are available from Kathy Chamberlain at here and 207-626-3803.


How can I submit amendments to the code?
The Technical Codes and Standards Board is establishing a process for considering amendments to the codes. Any municipality or Maine resident will be able to propose amendments to the codes. Contact Kathy Chamberlain here and 207-626-3803 for information.


What is the status of training and certification?
The Technical Codes and Standards Board is currently working on the standards for certification. The State Planning Office will offer training programs and certification exams to meet the standards.


When will training on the new code be available?
Training depends on the standards adopted by the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board. It will be some months before know what those standards are. When it becomes available, information on training programs will be circulated by email and posted on the web here.