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1. How do I contact Animal Control and where are you located?

Town of York Animal Control is located at 9 Hannaford Drive, York, ME  03909.  You can call York Animal Control at 207-363-4444 or fax 207-363-1035 or email L. McAfee or K. Bishop.  Animal Control officers are on duty 7 days a week.  

2. What do I do if I have an animal emergency?

For emergencies, you should call the Town of York Police Department at 207-363-4444.  They will be able to contract and Animal Control Officer. 

3. Where do I apply for a dog license?

• Animal Control Ordinance
  
  
• Town Clerk's Office (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
  186 York Street
  York, ME  03909
  207-363-1003
  
  

The following items are required when registering your dog

• Most up-to-date rabies certificate. 
• Rabies Tag Number and date of expiration
• Documentation clarifying whether the dog is spayed/neutered.

Animal Control Ordinance

4. Are there restrictions for domestic animals on public beaches?

Animal Control Ordinance - Section 10, page 7

The following restrictions apply to domestic animals on Cape Neddick Beach, Short Sands Beach, Long Sands Beach and Harbor Beach.

• No domestic animals shall be present on these beaches between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 20th through September 20th.
• Dogs on these beaches will be required to be on a leash between May 20th and September 29th between the hours of 6 p.m. and sunrise.
• Between May 20th and September 20th dogs will be allowed to unleashed between sunrise and 8 a.m. as long as the dog is under the voice control of its owner or responsible party.
• Horses and ponies are prohibited from being on the beaches from May 20th to September 20th.

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1. What building codes does the town use?

The Town of York administers the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.

2. How do I get a building permit?

Building Permit applications are available online, at the Code Enforcement Office, and by mail. Minor permits can be issued during walk-in hours. Permits for new dwellings, new commercial structures, shoreland, and flood require an office appointment. Get a copy of a building permit application (PDF).

3. How do I schedule an inspection?

Call our office at 207-363-1002, ext. 6048, Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Catherine will schedule your appointment with the inspector. Be sure to have the accurate address and the homeowners name. The lead time can be anywhere from the next day to two weeks out depending on the time of year.

4. Do I need sign off for water and sewer for my building permit?

Yes. Contact the Water and Sewer District.

5. Can I amend my building permit?

Yes, if it is part of or directly related to the original project. However, if one portion of the work has been done before the amended work is finished, the entire permit remains open until all work as been completed.

Example: If you take out a construction loan to remodel your kitchen and amend your permit to add a generator, both projects must be completed to obtain a final sign-off from the Code Officer.

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1. When do I need an electrical permit?

A separate electrical permit is needed when only electrical work is being done in a one or two family dwelling, commercial work and multi-family dwellings. An electrical permit is required from the State of Maine for all commercial and multi-family dwellings. Approval for electrical work in one and two family dwelling is usually included in the building permit.

2. What is an 1190 form and why do I need it?

The law requires utility companies to have proof of town approval before they can connect you to any public utility. This form is available from the electric company or from the Code Enforcement Office. This form must be signed by a town official before you can have your power turned on.

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1. Do I need a permit for a fence?

Yes, if your property is located in the shoreland zone or in a 100 year floodplain.

2. Does the good side of the fence go out?

Maine State Law and local ordinances do not require the good side to be toward your neighbor.

3. How tall can a fence be?

Maine State Law provides that a fence over six feet may be considered a “spite fence” and ordered removed.

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1. What Flood Zone am I in?

View the town’s Geographical Information System (GIS Maps). Search for your property by selecting Owner, Address or Parcel ID and typing in the appropriate information, Clicking “Find It” and then "Zoom to Parcel". The GIS will display your property. To find the Flood Zone from ”Quick Maps” choose “Flood Plain Mapping.”

2. When do I need a Flood Permit?

If your property is in a 100 year flood zone you need a Flood Permit whenever you need a Building Permit, when filling or earth-moving, and for fences.

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1. Who pays Impact Fees?

Impact Fees for the School District are assessed for new dwelling units of three or more bedrooms, the addition of bedroom(s) that result in a three or four plus bedroom dwelling unit, and seasonal conversion of a three or more bedroom dwelling unit. Contact the Sewer District and the Water District for information about their Impact Fees.

2. How are Impact Fees determined?

The Impact Fee for the School District is determined by the number of bedrooms in a dwelling unit. There is no Impact Fee for a dwelling with two or less bedrooms. The Impact Fee is $1,700 for a three bedroom dwelling and $3,400 for a four or more bedroom dwelling. Contact the Water District and Sewer District for information about their Impact Fees.

3. How many Impact Fees are there?

There are Impact fees for the School District, Water District, and Sewer District. The Impact Fee for the School District is paid to the Code Enforcement Office prior to an Occupancy Permit. The other Impact Fees are paid directly to the Sewer District and the Water District.

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1. When do I need a Plumbing Permit?

Plumbing Permits are required for new plumbing, relocated plumbing, and for changing fixtures. Replacing a hot water tank, faucets, or toilets requires a Plumbing Permit.

2. Who can pull a Plumbing Permit?

Plumbing Permits are only issued to Master Plumbers licensed in the State of Maine and to homeowners for plumbing in their personal single family dwelling. For homeowners to do their own plumbing the property cannot be rented or be for sale, additionally the homeowner must buy all the materials, install and test the plumbing per code.

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1. Do I need a permit for a swimming pool or hot tub?

Yes, a building permit is required.

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1. I am not satisfied with the condition of the summer cottage I rented. What do I do?

The Town Health Officer is available to address issues that affect the health and well being of the public in York. Direct such issues as air quality, asbestos, radon, lead, smoke, mold, carbon monoxide, hoarding, bed bugs and other pests, failed health inspections, and rental housing complaints to the Health Officer at 207-363-1000.

If there are possible building code violations, contact the Code Enforcement Office at 207-363-1002.

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1. Who is licensed to evaluate soils and design septic systems?

The state licenses Site Evaluators to perform soil test (replaces perk tests) and design septic systems also known as sub-surface waste water disposal systems.

2. What is that wet spot in my lawn?

If that wet spot is near your septic system it could be a sign of a failed or failing septic system. Keep people and animals away from this area and get help finding the cause of this problem.

3. When do I need a permit for a septic system?

You must obtain a permit prior to installing a new septic system, a replacement septic system, or repairing a septic system.

4. How often should I pump my septic tank?

View suggested pumping frequency and other advice about septic systems (PDF).

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1. Do I need a Shoreland Permit to move a small amount of earth?

Yes, any earth-moving including filling, requires a permit in the Shoreland Zone, no matter how small.

2. When do I need a Shoreland Permit?

In the Shoreland Zone permits are required for cutting and clearing vegetation, timber harvesting, filling, earth moving, and for any change to a building.

3. What are the setbacks in the Shoreland Zone?

The setbacks vary by Shoreland sub-district and for wetlands in the Shoreland Zone by size. Generally the setback for the ocean, rivers and large wetlands (over ten acres) is 100 feet. The setback for protected streams and medium wetlands (4-10 acres) is 75 feet. There are no setback requirements for wetlands with less than 4 acres but there is no wetland disturbance or fill allowed without a permit.

4. How can I be in shoreland when I am no where near the ocean?

The Shoreland zone is a 250 foot area surrounding water bodies, wetlands, and 75 feet from protected streams. If you are within these areas you will be considered in the Shoreland Zone.

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1. How do I obtain a marriage license?

Learn how to get a marriage license:

• If you are both residents of Maine, you must apply for a marriage license in the Clerk's office where you are a resident. If only one of the applicants is a resident of Maine, you must apply in the Maine town/city where the Maine resident lives. If both reside in Maine, but in separate towns/city, you can apply at either Clerk's office.
• If you are both residents of another state besides Maine, you can apply for a marriage license in any town or city in Maine and have the ceremony in that location or any other location in Maine.
• If either party was previously married, you must bring proof of the dissolution of the former marriage (i.e. certified copy of divorce decree or a death certificate).
• A driver's license or government issued picture identification is required.
• The fee is $40 and you may also pre-pay for certified copies (1st copy is $15 and additional copies ordered at the same time, are $6 each).
• The Clerk's Office can issue marriage licenses Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. until noon.

We accept cash or checks only.

2. How do I get a beach parking permit?

Only Town of York residents and property owners are entitled to beach stickers. Residents need to bring or mail a copy of the registration to the car(s) they want to put the parking sticker(s) on. The stickers are vehicle specific. Property owners need to bring or mail a copy of the registration to the car(s) they want to put the parking sticker(s) on. 

In addition, they need to bring or mail a copy of their tax bill (this can be confirmed on our computer). If the property is in the name of a trust, proof of trusteeship is required. If the vehicle is leased, bring a copy of the lease agreement showing the lessor's name. Stickers are $40 each, $20 each for senior citizens. You can have a parking sticker for every car that you have registered.

3. What do I need to bring in order to register a car?

Learn what you need to bring on the Register a Car page. 

4. How do I obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, or death record?

The Town Clerk keeps Vital Records for all births, marriages and deaths that occur in the town, as well as those events that involve those people who were/are residents of York but gave birth, got married or died elsewhere in the State of Maine. A Maine state law became effective on July 12, 2010 that requires both an application process to acquire certified copies of Vital records as well as an increase in fees. Mail a request for a certified copy (PDF) of a birth, marriage or death record, if you want to be prepared when you come to our office.

5. What do I need to bring to register a recreational vehicle (boat, snowmobile, ATV)?

This office only registers/re-registers recreational vehicles for York residents.

• A bill of sale and Maine driver's license with York address are required to register a recreational vehicle for the first time.
• If you want to renew your current recreational vehicle registration, you will be asked to show your Maine driver's license with York address. It will be helpful for you to bring your most recent RV registration.

6. What do I need to bring to get a sporting license (hunting, fishing, etc.)?

The State of Maine offers the sale of Sporting licenses and Recreational Vehicle registrations through their website.

• We only sell sporting licenses to York residents, therefore you must present a valid Maine driver's license with your York address on it.
• If applying for your first sporting license in York, please provide a hunting and/or archery license from your previous place of residence or proof that you have completed a Hunter Safety and/or an Archery class.

7. How do I license my dog?

Bring the most recent rabies certificate from the Veterinarian. This must include the rabies tag number and the date of expiration.

• Bring a document that states whether or not the dog is spayed/neutered.
• It is $6 for spayed/neutered dogs and $11 for those that are not.
• All dog licenses are based on the calendar year. If you do not license your dog by December 31st, you can do so by the end of January without a penalty.

8. How do I vote by absentee ballot?

Absentee ballots are available 30 days prior to an election. During that period you can:

• Vote in the Town Clerk’s office
• Call the Town Clerk’s office and request one be mailed to you
• Obtain one in person at the Clerk’s office for yourself and/or an immediate family member and vote at
  home. You will be required to complete an application for each ballot that you take out of the office.

All Absentee Ballots must be in the hands of the Election Official by the close of the polls on Election Day in order to be counted.

9. How do I register to vote?

Complete a voter registration card in the Town Clerk’s office and submit to the Registrar of Voters (also in the Clerk’s office). At that time you will need to provide a Maine Driver’s license with your York address and two utility bills that show your name and physical address as proof of residency.

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1. Can I divide my land in the Watershed Protection Overlay District?

Any newly created lots in the Watershed Protection Overlay District must be at least 10 acres and have 200 feet of frontage on a road. Proposed structures would be required to be 500 feet from a public water supply and 250 feet from all streams that feed the public water supply.

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1. Why can't I fill 4,300 square feet of wetland like the State allows?

York is growing faster than most communities in Maine and un-controlled fill destroys animal habitat and can result in flooding. York has chosen to be more restrictive than the State of Maine due to its rapid growth.

2. Can I fill in a wetland?

No, not unless you have a permit and only in limited circumstances. Wetland fill is only allowed to provide access to an upland site when no reasonable alternative exists.

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1. What zone am I in?

View the town’s Geographical Information System GIS Maps. Search for your property by selecting Owner, Address or Parcel ID and typing in the appropriate information and Clicking “Find It” then "Zoom to Parcel". The GIS will display your property. Go to “Quick Maps” and select "Base Zone Mapping" from the drop down list.

2. When do I need a Use Permit?

To establish any new use or to change from one use to another you need a Use Permit. Use Permits for Route One and changes in non-conforming uses are issued by the Planning Board. The Code Enforcement Office issues most other Use Permits.

3. What kinds of uses are permitted on my property?

What zone or zones you are in determines what uses are permitted on your property. Once you have determined what zone(s) you are in you can look up the permitted uses for that zone(s) in Article Four of the Zoning Ordinance. Pay particular attention to any footnotes or performance standards that may apply.

4. Can I be in more than one zone?

A property can be in more than one zone and can have one or more over-lying zones, such as Shoreland, Flood, and/or Watershed. These overlay districts can be displayed on the GIS program by selecting “layers” under the map, selecting the layer you wish to display, scroll to the bottom and click “Refresh Map”.

5. What are setbacks?

Setbacks are the horizontal distance between the property line and a use, such as a dwelling. Front setbacks are measured from the front property line not the road.

6. What are the setbacks for my property?

Setbacks are found in article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance for conforming lots. Look up setbacks for conforming lots. The setbacks for all non-conforming lots of record are found in section 17.3.4. Look up setbacks for non-conforming lots.

7. What is lot coverage?

Lot coverage is the ratio of impervious surfaces to lot size (see the definition of impervious surface ratio in Article Two of the Zoning Ordinance).

8. How much of my lot can I cover?

Lot coverage is given in Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance, footnote d, and in several special zones, such as the Water Protection Overlay District section 10.404.

9. Can I have a home occupation?

Home occupations are allowed in every zone that allows dwellings to varying degrees. The rules for home occupations are found in Section 7.4 Home Occupations (PDF).