Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Gouldsboro, Maine

Town of Gouldsboro’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Shoreland areas inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • Applicability depends on the property's location and applicable regulations.

  “Shoreland zoning requirements apply to certain areas near water bodies and wetlands.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots inside Gouldsboro town limits subject to the Land Use Ordinance.

  • The minimum lot size does not apply to an ADU constructed in accordance with Section 11.A.

  minimum lot size: 20000 square feet (Does not apply to an ADU constructed in accordance with Section 11.A.)

  “The minimum lot size is 20,000 square feet as established by Title 12 M.R.S.A., Section 4807-A. The minimum lot size does not apply to an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) constructed in accordance with Section 11.A.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Occupiable buildings inside Gouldsboro town limits subject to the Land Use Ordinance.

  • Window-top measurement is from the lowest final grade immediately proximate to the foundation.

  window-top height: <= 36 feet (Measured from the lowest final grade immediately proximate to the building foundation.) · peak height: <= 40 feet

  “no occupiable building shall have window tops exceeding thirty-six (36) feet in height as measured from the lowest final grade immediately proximate to the building's foundation with final structure height not to exceed forty (40) feet at the peak.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles intended for occupancy or other use for periods exceeding three months inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • The owner or duly appointed agent must obtain the appropriate permit before location of the structure.

  occupancy period: > 3 months (Includes, but is not limited to, placement of recreational vehicles.)

  “before the location of any structure intended for occupancy or other use for periods exceeding three months, including but not limited to the placement of recreational vehicles or storage sheds, the owner or duly appointed agent shall obtain the appropriate permit.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Location or relocation of mobile homes inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • Before issuance of a permit for a pre-owned mobile or modular home, proof of property-tax payment from the originating community must be provided.

  “before location or relocation of signs, mobile homes and/or other structures [...] the owner or duly appointed agent shall obtain the appropriate permit. Prior to issuance of any permit regarding a pre-owned mobile or modular home, proof of property tax payment from originating community must be provided.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Accessory dwelling units inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • The Land Use Ordinance provides that an ADU constructed under Section 11.A may be on a non-conforming lot if it does not further increase the non-conforming condition.

  “The construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in accordance with Section 11.A is allowed on a non-conforming lot if the ADU does not further increase the non-conforming condition.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Internal plumbing and subsurface wastewater disposal systems inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • The town's Licensed Plumbing Inspector administers local inspection functions.
  • Standards are set by the State of Maine in the Maine Plumbing Code and Maine Subsurface Rules.

  “The LPI is required to inspect the installation of internal plumbing and subsurface wastewater disposal systems.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of subsurface wastewater disposal systems inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • Standards are set by the State of Maine in the Maine Plumbing Code and Maine Subsurface Rules.

  “The LPI is required to inspect the installation of internal plumbing and subsurface wastewater disposal systems.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  All land proposed for subdivision within Gouldsboro town boundaries.

  • The ordinance applies to subdivisions as defined by state law, including residential, commercial, and industrial subdivisions.
  • The Planning Board administers the standards.

  “It shall apply to all subdivisions as defined by said State law, including residential, commercial and industrial.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway access inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • A driveway opening permit from MaineDOT is identified for a state roadway.
  • Town driveway permits may be requested from the Code Enforcement Officer at Town Office.

  “Driveway permits are required and may be requested of the Code Enforcement Officer at the Town Office.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Gouldsboro town limits.

  • The stated review time applies once a complete application is submitted.
  • Incomplete applications delay review and the permit process.

  CEO review period: <= 30 days (After submission of a complete application.)

  “Once a complete application has been submitted, the Code Enforcement Officer has 30 days to review the application and issue a decision, as provided by Maine law.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Gouldsboro or Hancock County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Gouldsboro town limits.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Gouldsboro town limits.
• Inspections — Building construction inside Gouldsboro town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Gouldsboro town limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Gouldsboro town limits.

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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Gouldsboro means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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