13 / 104
11
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE
2015 Annual Report
As you can see from the attached graphs and tables, there has been a general trend of increasing
activity in construction since the downturn in 2011.
The trends were generally across the board in most sections with the exception of Alterations/
Additions down from 23 to 15. Historically this appears to be the normal variation.
The most significant change in the type of construction were garages up from 11 to 20 this year.
Total permit activity was up about 10% from 2015 vs. 2014.
The State of Maine (Legislature) and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is again looking at adopting
updated codes from the current 2009 IBC/IRC to the 2015. The Maine Building Officials and
Inspectors Association (MBOIA) offered training on the changes to the proposed new editions of
the codes. I attended the sessions on the residential code and the most significant change in my
view is the potential requirement for the blower door test in new construction. If this measure is
adopted, air sealing of new homes will move to the next level as failing the test after dry wall is
installed leads to potentially costly remedies.
Respectfully submitted by
Peter Gordon
Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector
Category
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Stick Build Homes
40 37 37 71 70 40 19 20 11 14 13 8 15 19 20
22
Manufactured/Mobile Homes 25 18 14 23 20 24 5 3 4 10 8 2 9 5 3
7
Modular Homes
14 7 6 1 1 1
2 0
1
Garages
28 42 21 49 43 31 33 24 17 14 11 21 13 9 11
20
Alterations & Additions
69 60 87 85 62 52 43 42 48 31 28 40 35 34 23
15
Sheds, Decks, Pools & Misc.
94 36 117 108 112 126 95 111 74 79 54 53 60 55 57
66
Total Building Permits
256 193 276 336 307 273 209 207 160 149 115 125 132 124 114 131
SSWS (septic system)
73 86 134 114 87 75 50 38 45 36 31 40 41 49
54
Internal Plumbing
67 80 122 111 91 79 51 55 40 32 21 38 40 34
38
Total Permits
333 442 592 532 451 363 308 253 234 183 177 210 205 197 223