Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Caribou, Maine

Caribou’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Building projects inside Caribou city

  • Page links IBC 105.2 / IRC R105.2 lists of work exempt from permit.
  • Certain commercial projects also need State Fire Marshal permits.
  • Minimum three business days for permit review.

  “all building projects require that a permit be obtained prior to the start of construction.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Caribou city; city enforces the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (state code)

  • Electrical permits are issued by the State of Maine, not the city; city repealed its electrical code June 9, 2014.

  “the state of maine requires all cities of populations over 4,000 to enforce the maine uniform building and energy code (mubec) as well.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Caribou city limits

  • Copy of Chapter 13 on the city site is an older upload; city says amendments (e.g. 2026 land use table changes) exist, so confirm current version with the city.

  “the land use ordinances of the city of caribou table of contents section page sec. 13-100 legal status provisions for the zoning, site design review, and subdivision ordinances”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Caribou city

  • Includes R-3 and C-1 and others; official zoning map and land use table are separate downloads.

  “r-3 residential district. the r-3 district encompasses most of the area outside the urban center”

• Living in an RVLimited

  RV used as a dwelling inside Caribou city under Chapter 13 mobile home provisions

  • RV may be stationed only in an area where permitted; stored RVs allowed on owner's premises.
  • Which districts permit RV dwelling not determined (land use table not opened).

  “a recreational vehicle or camper shall in no case be used as a mobile home and any recreational vehicle in use as a temporary dwelling shall be stationed only in an area where permitted.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions inside Caribou city

  • Planning board review under Sec. 13-400 subdivision ordinance; thresholds not extracted.

  “sec. 13-400 1. subdivision ordinance. title. this section shall be known and may be cited as "subdivision ordinance of the city of caribou." 2. administration. the planning board of the city of caribou shall administer this section.”

• Permit feesPublished

  City permits inside Caribou city

  • Fee schedule is a linked document; amounts not extracted.
  • Plumbing fees are the state minimum.

  “the city of caribou charges the state minimum for plumbing fees.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permits inside Caribou city

  • Inspections must be scheduled at least two business days in advance.
  • Plumbing permits must be applied for in person by owner or master plumber.

  minimum permit review time: >= 3 business days

  “all building permits will require a minimum of three (3) business days for review.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Caribou or Aroostook County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Caribou city
• Inspections — Inspections of construction inside Caribou city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new construction inside Caribou city
• Minimum dwelling size — Inside Caribou city
• Minimum lot size — Inside Caribou city, R-1/R-2/R-3 districts

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.