Kittery, Maine Building Permit Guide

Kittery’s Code Enforcement Office, part of the Planning and Development Department at Town Hall, 200 Rogers Road, issues building, electrical, plumbing, septic and shoreland permits, and applications are filed online through the Town’s OpenGov portal. A permit for a house or duplex costs $25 plus $12 per $1,000 of the value of the work, and inspections can need 48 to 72 hours’ notice.

What needs a permit in Kittery?

Kittery’s Town Code calls the general permit a “building/regulated activity” permit, and the Code Enforcement Office issues it for residential and commercial building work, demolition and signs, along with permits for vegetation removal in the shoreland and resource protection overlay zones. Its fee schedule also lists separate permits for:

Repairs such as a new roof, siding, painting or chimney work still need an application, but the Town waives the value-based fee on the first $10,000 of a maintenance project at an existing home, leaving only the $25 application fee for small jobs.

Who issues building permits in Kittery?

The Code Enforcement Office reviews and issues the permits, inspects the work and handles complaints and code violations. It sits within the Planning and Development Department, whose director is Jason Garnham, and the office has two Code Enforcement Officers. Questions go first to the Development Staff Clerk at 207-475-1304, and the office aims to answer within one business week.

No appointment is needed to pay for a permit, drop off materials or view a property file, but questions for a Code Enforcement Officer outside the walk-in hours need an appointment.

Electrical, plumbing and gas permits in Kittery

Kittery issues its own electrical, plumbing and gas permits, and the building permit fee does not cover them. When the work is finished, the electrician signs the Town’s Electrical Installation Code Compliance Affidavit, certifying the installation meets the National Electrical Code edition adopted by the Maine Electrical Examiners Board, and uploads it to the permit; mechanical and fuel-gas installers sign a matching Mechanical Installation affidavit.

Appendix A applies the $15 rate to plumbing jobs of more than 5 fixtures, while the Code Enforcement page says more than 4, so confirm the count with the office for a 4- or 5-fixture job. A state surcharge is added to septic permits.

Kittery building permit fees

Fees are set by the Town Council in Appendix A of the Town Code, last amended December 8, 2025; the Council agendas for July to October 2026 contain no change to them. The value of work is the fair market value of the improvements as the Code Enforcement Officer determines it.

The Town’s own example: a new $400,000 house pays $25 plus 400 × $12, a building permit fee of $4,825. Because the first $200,000 of cost is exempt from the public safety impact fee, the same house also pays $1,200 in impact fee before the permit is issued, for $6,025 before plumbing, septic or sewer charges. Where an application involves other direct costs of more than $250, the applicant must also open an Applicant Service Account with the Town Treasurer.

Plans and documents for a Kittery permit

Applications and plans are uploaded to the OpenGov portal, which also holds completed building permits and certificates of occupancy for public search. The Town posts Kittery’s climatic and geographic design criteria (IRC Table R301.2(1)), an erosion and sediment control form, the state HHE-211 plumbing application and both installation affidavits next to the permit link.

Plans in the Shoreland Overlay Zone, accessory dwelling units, new commercial uses, site plans and subdivisions carry their own review fees under Chapter 16.7 of the fee schedule, on top of the building permit. Kittery keeps both electronic and paper property files; older records can only be viewed in the office.

Before a certificate of occupancy is issued, the Code Enforcement Officer checks that all other finals (Public Works, Fire and Sewer) are approved, that the septic or sewer connection is approved, that blower door test results have been received, that post-construction photos have been supplied for a property in the Shoreland Overlay Zone, and that the electrician has uploaded the affidavit.

How to get a Kittery building permit: 6 steps

Inspections in Kittery

Inspections for permitted projects can need 48 to 72 hours’ notice. The Code Enforcement Officers inspect on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Tuesday mornings, around the office’s walk-in and appointment hours. A failed inspection that has to be repeated costs $75 under the building fee schedule.

The final occupancy inspection follows the Town’s checklist: all permitted work complete, house numbers visible, outdoor lighting, a landing of at least 36 by 36 inches at exterior doors, railings on stairs with 4 or more risers, guards on drops of more than 30 inches, wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, covered electrical boxes and labelled breakers, a working bathroom fan and plumbing, fire separation at the garage, working kitchen appliances and a primary heat source other than a wood stove.

Shoreland, flood and housing rules in Kittery

Shoreland Overlay: in the Shoreland Overlay of Kittery’s residential zones (R-RL, R-S, R-KPV, R-U and R-V), homes are allowed only farther than 100 ft from the normal high-water line of a water body or the upland edge of a wetland. Any plan in the overlay is reviewed for $500, removing vegetation there needs its own $200 permit, and post-construction photos are required before occupancy.

Flood zones: Kittery’s floodplain rules (Title 16, §16.5.11) adopt the FEMA maps dated July 17, 2024. New or substantially improved homes in Zone AE must have the lowest floor, basement included, at least 1 ft above base flood elevation, and elevated buildings get a two-part flood hazard development permit: the second part is issued after an “under construction” elevation certificate is reviewed. In Zone VE and Coastal AE, buildings must instead be elevated on posts or columns with the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member at least 1 ft above base flood elevation.

Accessory dwelling units: one accessory dwelling unit is allowed on a lot in a limited growth area and up to two in a targeted growth area, as mapped in the Comprehensive Plan, with a $100 plan review.

Sewer: connecting a new unit to the municipal sewer brings a $3,000 sewer impact fee per unit, paid before the connection or when a plumbing permit adds fixtures, and the building sewer permit is applied for online.

Maine building code

Maine’s adopted code applies statewide, but permits are required where the town’s ordinance says so; shoreland zoning applies statewide near water, fees and appeals are local, and code enforcement officers must be certified by the state. Maine rules

Official Kittery permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Maine subsurface wastewater rules
• Maine DEP shoreland zoning
• Maine state building and energy codes
• Maine Office of Community Affairs code enforcement
• Kittery planning and development
• Kittery online permitting services
• Kittery Code Enforcement and fee details
• Kittery OpenGov construction permits
• Kittery Town Code Appendix A fee schedules
• Kittery public safety impact fee (Chapter 13.3)
• Kittery Title 16 general performance standards, incl. floodplain (Chapter 16.5)
• Kittery occupancy checklist
• Kittery electrical installation code compliance affidavit
• Kittery Coastal Hazard Overlay amendments, Town Council hearing August 24, 2026

Kittery permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Kittery, Maine?

The Code Enforcement Office in the Planning and Development Department at Town Hall, 200 Rogers Road (207-475-1304). It also issues electrical, plumbing, septic, flood and shoreland permits.

How much is a building permit for a new house in Kittery?

$25 plus $12 per $1,000 of the value of work: $4,825 for a $400,000 house. Above $200,000 a public safety impact fee of $6 per $1,000 also applies, $1,200 on that house.

Do I need a permit to re-roof or replace siding?

Yes, an application is required, but for maintenance of an existing home the Town waives the $12 per $1,000 charge on the first $10,000, so a small repair costs only the $25 application fee.

How much notice do inspections need?

Allow 48 to 72 hours. Re-inspection after a failed building inspection costs $75.

How many accessory dwelling units are allowed in Kittery?

One per lot in a limited growth area and up to two in a targeted growth area, as mapped in the Comprehensive Plan. Each needs a $100 plan review.

When is the Code Enforcement Office open?

Monday to Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday until 6 p.m.; it is closed on Friday. Walk-in time with a Code Officer is Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Simplify Kittery permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Maine. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Kittery permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.