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

Town of Ogunquit’s own rules

• Building code adoptedPartial

  Building construction inside Ogunquit town, under Chapter 36 Building Construction

  • Chapter 36 adopts nationally recognized codes by reference; the specific code titles and editions were not identified in the pages read.
  • Plumbing and electrical codes are those adopted by the State of Maine, per the same § 36-9 passage.
  • Where chapter conflicts with adopted codes or state law, the more restrictive standard applies (§ 36-6).

  “shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of this chapter and the nationally recognized codes adopted by reference herein and the plumbing and electrical codes adopted by the state of maine.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Ogunquit town limits. Town of Ogunquit zoning, Chapter 225 Zoning of the town code.

  • Use table 702.1 and dimensional table 703.1 are attachments to Chapter 225 and were not opened; use and dimensional details are not captured here.
  • Per § 225-7.2a, uses omitted from table 702.1 are prohibited.
  • Shoreland zones (SLR, SLC, SG1, SG2, SG3, SP, RP) are also listed in § 225-7.1b and carry their own state-guideline rules not read here.

  “(1) one-family residential district (ofr). to preserve the physical aesthetic and social quality of ogunquit's developed residential areas.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts of Ogunquit town, Chapter 225

  • Districts named in § 225-7.1: One-Family Residential (OFR), Residential (R), Rural Residential 1 (RR1), Rural Residential 2 (RR2), Downtown Business (DB), General Business 1 and 2 (GB1, GB2), Limited Business (LB), Farm (F), plus the shoreland zones.
  • The Official Zoning Map and attachment tables 702.1 and 703.1 were not opened.

  “(9) farm district (f). to provide space for farming in the town of ogunquit in locations capable of conveniently servicing the needs of such establishments and preserving open space”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  New lots inside Ogunquit town, by zoning district: One-Family Residential (OFR) as the main single-family district, and Rural Residential districts RR1 and RR2 where applicable. Numeric values not captured.

  • Lot size values are in attachment table 703.1 to Chapter 225, which was not opened; no numeric minimum is recorded here.
  • Net residential area and lot area calculation rules are in Article 2 and § 225-7.2 and were not fully read.

  “b. all new lots, new structures and additions to structures shall meet the minimum dimensional requirements for the district in which they are located as detailed in table 703.1.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  New structures and additions inside Ogunquit town, by zoning district (OFR, RR1, RR2 where applicable). Numeric setbacks not captured.

  • Minimum side setback varies by district and is set in table 703.1 (not opened).
  • Where more than one principal building is on a lot, buildings must be separated by twice the district minimum side setback (§ 225-7.2b).

  “if more than one principal building is located on a lot, the buildings shall be separated by a distance equal to twice the minimum side setback for the district in which they are located.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions inside Ogunquit town that create subdivisions

  • Subdivision regulations are Chapter 240 of the town code (§ 240-1.1 to § 240-14.2); content not read.
  • For a lot or lots contained within or constituting a subdivision, the planning board requires a high intensity soil survey (§ 225-7.2b).

  “chapter 240 subdivision regulations (§ 240-1.1 – § 240-14.2)”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process inside Ogunquit town, administered by the building official (Code Enforcement Officer)

  • Chapter 36 confirms the building official issues permits and keeps applications and permit records (§ 36-9); application forms, steps and timelines were not located.
  • Stop-work orders and civil penalties of $100 to $2,500 per violation per day apply (§ 36-11).

  “the building official shall have the authority to perform all necessary inspections; issue permits as provided herein; issue certificates of occupancy as provided herein”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Construction inside Ogunquit town
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders building on their own land inside Ogunquit town
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Ogunquit town
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Ogunquit town
• Building height — Building height inside Ogunquit town

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 Ogunquit 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.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.