DoorWorthy

Who needs a zoning approval, construction permits and certificate of occupancy in Maine?

Issued by Your municipality’s code enforcement officer (Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code); Office of the State Fire Marshal, at step 3 of 6 in the opening sequence: approve the space.

Every kind of business in Maine

The Maine table lists this for every kind of business.

Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing. In any municipality over 2,000 people that enforces the state building code, nobody may occupy a new or altered building until the code enforcement officer issues the certificate of occupancy. Building, altering or changing the use of a public building, which includes places of assembly such as restaurants and bars and shops over 3,000 square feet, needs a construction permit from the State Fire Marshal or a municipality it has delegated to, with dimensioned plans.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 3 of 6: Approve the space

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your municipality’s code enforcement officer (Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code); Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Sources and dates

25 M.R.S. 2357-A (certificate of occupancy); 25 M.R.S. 2448 and 2450 (public building construction permits); municipal ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.