Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Somerville, Maine
Town of Somerville is a town in Lincoln County, Maine. Town of Somerville adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Town of Somerville’s rules apply, not the county’s. Septic permits inside Town of Somerville come from Town of Somerville. 5 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 29, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Lincoln County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Town of Somerville
Town of Somerville’s own rules
Local zoningPresent
Land inside Somerville town limits: the town's own Land Use Ordinance and Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
The town ordinances page lists a Land Use Ordinance, Planning Board Ordinance, Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Site Plan Review Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance and an Appeals Board Ordinance extracted from the Land Use Ordinance. The full text of the Land Use Ordinance was not opened, so no dimensional or use rule is taken from it here.
The same page lists a mining moratorium (enacted june 20, 2026 - exp dec 17, 2026).
“land use ordinance planning board ordinance shoreland zoning ordinance site plan review ordinance subdivision ordinance”
Zoning districtsPublished
Land inside Somerville town limits: the town's shoreland zoning and zoning district map
The map is listed on the ordinances page as 'shoreland zoning & zoning district map adopted 11/9/2012' and as revised 6/26/2022. The map itself was not opened, so individual district names and boundaries are not recorded here.
“Shoreland Zoning & Zoning District map adopted 11/9/2012”
Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)
Subsurface wastewater (septic) systems on land inside Somerville town limits
The town's code enforcement officer (CEO) and plumbing inspector handles the septic permit listed on the town's CEO page.
The page does not state the state rule the CEO applies; state subsurface wastewater rules were not opened.
“a person employed by a municipality to enforce [...] subsurface waste water disposal [...] Somerville's CEO, Arthur Strout”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Land divisions inside Somerville town limits
Regulated under the town's Subdivision Ordinance, listed on the ordinances page; the ordinance text was not opened, so review criteria and thresholds are not recorded here.
“land use ordinance planning board ordinance shoreland zoning ordinance site plan review ordinance subdivision ordinance”
Permit processPartial
Permits handled by Somerville town's code enforcement officer, inside town limits
The CEO page lists the permit types (septic, internal plumbing, land use, supplemental shoreland zoning) and a contact ([email protected], (207) 458-2154) but does not describe application steps, fees or review timelines.
Town office hours are Monday and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with lunch closure 1-1:30 p.m., 72 sand hill road.
“permits hhe 200 septic permit internal plumbing permit land use permit supplemental shoreland zoning”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Somerville or Lincoln County directly.
Building permit — Building permits inside Somerville town limits
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Somerville town limits
Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Somerville town limits
Inspections — Building inspections inside Somerville town limits
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Somerville town limits
19 more unanswered
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
Short-term rentals
Permit fees
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.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Somerville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lincoln County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Town of Somerville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
