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1. What type of projects do I need a Building Permit for?

Under this newly adopted ordinance, as of July 1, 2012, Building Permits will be required from the Skowhegan Code Enforcement Office prior to the start of construction or placement of any of the following:
New Residential Construction (one and two family, including modular)
New Commercial / Multi Family Construction
Renovations Residential
Renovations Commercial / Multi Family
Garage with foundation
Utility Building no foundation
Decks
Mobile Homes (new or relocated used)
Demolition of structures (residential / commercial)
Pools (greater than 24 inches deep)

2. Do I need a plumbing permit?

Yes, you need to come in to the Code Enforcement Office for either interior or exterior plumbing permits before you begin any plumbing work.

3. Can I do my own plumbing and electrical or do I need to hire a State of Maine Licensed Plumber and Electrician?

Yes, you can do your own plumbing and electrical work only if the building is your primary residence and you are capable of meeting all Maine State Plumbing and Electrical Codes. If the building is not your primary residence you must hire a State of Maine Licensed Plumber and or Electrician to do the work.

4. How close to my property line can I build?

In most cases there is a five (5) foot set back from your property line. This excludes subdivisions. If you are building in a subdivision please refer to your subdivision covenants for the set back distance before you begin building.

5. If I am planning a project in a Shoreland Zoning District do I need a permit?

Yes. You need to contact the Code Enforcement Office for any projects within 250 feet of most water bodies.

6. What type of zoning does Skowhegan have?

Skowhegan has Flood Hazard and Shoreland Zoning, other than these there are currently no residential or commercial zoning districts in the community.

7. What does "subdivision" mean?

Subdivision means the division of a tract or parcel of land into three or more lots or the placement of three or more structures within any five year period. Please contact the Planning Office with any questions and subdivision applications.

8. Does the Planning Office have copies of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps?

Yes, please stop by the office to view the flood maps.

9. Where do I need to have smoke detectors in my home?

According to the State of Maine Life Safety Code and the Town of Skowhegan Building Code, smoke alarms need to be installed in all sleeping rooms and there also needs to be one on every level of the dwelling unit, including basements. They also need to be installed on the outside of each separate sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms.

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1. Do I need a burning permit to burn debris on my property?

Yes, Maine law requires a permit, in hand, for open burning of debris.

2. Do I need a burning permit when there is snow on the ground?

Yes. A burning permit is required for open debris burning, year round.

3. Do I need a burning permit to have a campfire on my own property?

No. A permit is not required to have a campfire on property that you own. However, the fire must be maintained to no larger than a campfire, and the fuel shall be clean wood only, no debris or lawn rakings.

4. Can I burn at any time during the day?

No, for several reasons.
1.All open burning must stop at midnight. Burning can resume at daybreak.
2.Depending on weather conditions, permits may not be being issued. Permits are not issued when the fire danger class is 3 or above, or when the wind is blowing over 7 mph at the fire station.
3.During the months of April and May, each year, open burning is allowed only after 5:00 PM, until midnight, under favorable weather conditions only. Permits may be issued during the day if there is a steady rain.

5. How do I obtain a burning permit?

Burning permits can be obtained on-line @ www.maineburnpermits.com; free of charge, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. 

6. Can I get a permit for more than one day?

Yes. Burning permits can be issued for up to three consecutive days. However, you will need to call each day to check weather conditions and to receive approval to burn.

7. Can I burn in an incinerator / barrel?

No. Burning in backyard incinerators / barrels was banned in Maine several years ago.

8. Does the Fire Department conduct inspections of woodstoves and chimneys?

Yes. The fire department will inspect, for code compliance, chimneys, wood stoves, and other solid fuel appliance installations.

9. Will the Fire Department inspect my chimney for cleanliness?

Yes. The fire department can inspect chimneys and provide a determination of whether the chimney needs to be cleaned or not.

10. Will the Fire Department clean my chimney for me?

No. The fire department does not provide chimney sweep services.

11. Will the Fire Department perform a home fire safety inspection in my home?

Yes. Just contact the Fire Department to schedule a time.

12. Will the Fire Department rescue my cat from a tree?

No. Rescuing cats from trees can be dangerous to both the rescuer and the animal.

13. Will the Fire Department assist me with proper placement of smoke detectors in my home?

Yes. Contact the Fire Department to schedule an on-site visit for assistance.

14. Does the Fire Department refill, service, or repair fire extinguishers?

No. We are however, a pick up and drop off point for an area fire extinguisher sales and service company. Extinguishers may be dropped off between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Extinguishers are usually returned within 1 weeks’ time.

15. Will the Fire Department test for carbon monoxide?

Yes. The department has 3 air monitors that can check for carbon monoxide.

16. Does the Skowhegan Fire Department fill swimming pools?

No the Skowhegan Fire Department does not fill swimming pools.

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1. How do I obtain a road opening permit?

You will need to see the Road Commissioner to fill out the application for a road opening permit. The office is located at 63 Greenwood Avenue, Skowhegan, Maine. You will need the name and address of the contractor that will be doing the digging in the road, an estimated size of pavement that will need to be removed and the Dig Safe Number (call 811 or 888-DIG-SAFE) prior to completing the application. Once the application is filled out then you deliver it to the Town Clerk's Office for payment.

2. How do I obtain a driveway entrance permit?

The Town of Skowhegan has an application form that will need to be filled out prior to construction of your entrance. This application is available at the Highway Department or you can request an application by email.

3. What do I do about a road condition problem? (Pot hole, icy conditions, drifting snow, debris.. etc.)

If the road condition is an emergency before 7:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. then you should call 911 and during normal business hours / non emergency road conditions please call 207-474-6911, or you can email.

4. Who do I contact about a streetlight out?

Please contact the Skowhegan Highway Department at 207-474-6911 with any streetlight outages. When you call the Highway Department please if possible have the pole number or general location of where the streetlight that is out.

5. What do I do about a plugged sewer?

First you should ensure that the line from your home to the sewer in the road is not plugged or if the sewerage is coming into your home and you are not running any water at the time then call the Skowhegan Highway Department at 207-474-6911.

6. How do I report damage to any of the bridges in Town?

If you detect any damages to the bridges in Town please call 207-474-6911, if there is no answer leave a message and a phone number where you can be reached in case our department has any questions.

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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1. How can I contact the Skowhegan Police Department? Where is it located?

You can reach us at 474-6908. Our mailing address is 225 Water Street, Skowhegan ME 04976.

2. I want to report something, but it is not an emergency. Who should I call?

The dispatch center's non-emergency line is 474-6386.

3. When should I call 911?

From 911.gov:
In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately from any wired or wireless phone.
An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance. Examples include:
• A fire
• A crime, especially if in progress
• A car crash, especially if someone is injured
• A medical emergency, such as someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention
Important: If you’re not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, officials recommend calling 911 and letting the call-taker determine whether you need emergency help.
When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:
• The location of the emergency, including the street address
• The phone number you are calling from
• The nature of the emergency
• Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

4. What should I do if I witness a crime?

Call 911 immediately.
Be observant and make mental notes, including asking yourself:
• Are there any weapons involved?
• What is the address?
• Are there any physical characteristics such as height, weight, race, beard or scars?
• Can you give any clothing description?
• How many people are involved?
• Are the persons involved on foot or in a vehicle?

5. How can I get a copy of an accident report?

You can call our secretary, Monday through Friday, at 474-6908.

6. I have heard the Concealed Weapon Permit law is changing soon; can I still fill out an application and pay to get a permit?

Yes, we will continue to process applications and issue concealed firearm permits.

7. Where can I find the laws pertaining to carrying concealed weapons?

Maine.gov is an excellent resource: Concealed Weapon Permit info

8. I need to report something, can I print and fill out a statement before I come in to the police department?

Yes, you can find the statement form here

9. My business has received a bad check, is there a form I can fill out before coming in to the police department?

Yes, you can find the bad check form here

10. I am going on vacation, can I request to have my residence checked periodically by the police?

Yes; we have the form at the police department, or you can print and fill it out at home before you come in. Security Check Form

11. I have a registered and insured vehicle I need to have inspected; do I need to let the police department know before I drive it to the inspection station?

Come to the police department with your vehicle’s registration and insurance information. A police officer will gladly issue you a permit so that you can legally drive your motor vehicle to a designated inspection station. The permit only allows you to drive the vehicle to an inspection station and is valid for two days. There is no fee.

12. Is there a curfew in the town of Skowhegan?

Yes. It is unlawful for anyone under the age of 18 years of age to knowingly remain in or upon any public place between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. The ordinance also applies to minors who may be in a motor vehicle without parental supervision regardless of whether or not it is stopped, parked or mobile. It is also unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly allow or permit a minor to be in violation of this ordinance.

13. I am receiving phone calls and/or mail that I believe to be scams, what should I do?

Do not give out any personal information. For learning about scams and how to avoid them, you should visit the Federal Trade Commission website: Federal Trade Commission