Code Enforcement

Responsibilities of Code Enforcement Department


The Wells Code Enforcement Department administers all of the zoning ordinances, building codes, licensing ordinances, growth ordinances, and the Impact Fee Ordinance for the Town of Wells.

Our department is also charged with the enforcement of the Shoreland Zoning, the State of Maine Internal Plumbing rules, the State of Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules and Floodplain Management Ordinance. Each Ordinance has specific administrative procedures for the review of applications, inspections and enforcement. 

In addition to the rules that we administer, we are also required to enforce dozens of other state and federal land use rules, regulations and laws. These duties utilize the majority of our staff time and efforts.

Requests for Files



The Code Enforcement Office requires up to 48 hours to pull records or property files that are not part of an open permit. Please plan accordingly. 

​Town Building Code: "MUBEC"

Please be advised, pursuant to 10 M.R.S. § 9724(1), that the applicable building code of the Town of Wells is the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code ("MUBEC").  MUBEC consists, in part, of the 2009 versions of the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC).  Articles II and II of Chapter 91 (Building Construction) of the Code of the Town of Wells are based on the 2003 IRC and the 2006 IBC, and therefore, do not apply as they are out of date.  All construction in the Town of Wells must comply with applicable standards of MUBEC.

Please be advised on January 23, 2018 the 2015 Building Codes went into effect. This includes the 2015 International Residential (IRC) and 2015 International Building (IBC), the 2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC). The 2009 IECC (Energy Code) will continue to be used. A 90 day grace period is in effect until April 23, 2018. As of April 23rd we will no longer accept plans with 2009 references.