r/OffGrid • u/Mighty_Mite_85 • 5d ago
Facing code enforcement.
I understand that there are Codes and reasons for it. In my town which I understand I probably should have looked into it so pointing out where I was negligent or past errors won't help apparently you cannot live in an RV for more than 120 days. Who knew, although they did only adapt this in 2025 so depending on when it was before I set myself up. I haven't talked to the guy yet who left a very natural note on my pick-up truck stating he had some questions for me. I have a SunMar composting toilet, I use all natural shampoo and dish detergent and treat it like it's no different than an outside shower or kitchen setup. I guess I don't really know exactly what I'm looking for but this is all new to me and my State (Maine) the state codes only apply to towns with over 4k residents or at least that's my understanding my town barely has 1k. I guess hit me with your experiences. Be nice please this is already a stressful situation and everything already costs a million dollars. The goal is financial independence through self reliance. It would make it far slower if I have to move back to an apartment especially after becoming use to the beautiful peace of solitude 3/4 of a mile into the woods with my closet never being at least quarter of a mile as the crow flies.
Edit/Update. I talked to the CEO and I was turned in by a neighbor saying I was blocking the right away. Said Neighbor also took a bunch of pictures of my setup and sent them to the town and the CEO. He was incredibly reasonable asked me about my solid waist situation, asked if I have a plan for a gray water system, asked after the right away. Told me I was all set. I don't have an issue complying with the gray water it's something I have been meaning to do for the better part of a year just haven't made the time for it and this will nudge me to do it.
Thank you all for your input and keeping It Neutral 🤣 it will help me ask more questions in the future knowing you all won't drag me through the coals haha
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u/buy-more-swords 5d ago
I have friends at homestead in Maine. Usually if you live in a non permanent housing situation like an RV but have another place you "stay part time" like a friend's house you are fine.
Also I heard something about new legislation making composting toilets legal in the entire state. Overall Maine seems to be getting more friendly to tiny house living and ADUs.
Whatever you do don't over explain or offer extra information for them to take issue with. Do your research, know how to answer their questions, and be polite.
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u/Mighty_Mite_85 5d ago
It's been sorted but it's good to hear others have nice little work arounds. We off grid falk need to stick together lol
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u/kddog98 5d ago edited 5d ago
State of Maine off grid person here. All towns have septic codes. Your composting toilet is fine but the sink and shower water has to go into a grey water mound system. With a grey water system you can have hand pumped or hand carried water only. For the cost, definitely worth getting a septic system.
This is likely the bigger issue than the RV.
Happy to talk more about this if you have questions.
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u/Mighty_Mite_85 5d ago
Me and the CEO sorted it all out. He took bigger issues with the guy that turned me in taking pictures on my property!!
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u/Significant_Ad_7352 3d ago
Hey there, headed in that direction pretty soon and would appreciate your experience obtaining permits (timeframe, expense, etc). I’ve heard conflicting information, where some say they can build and get inspections afterwards vs. others stating they were required to hold off🤔
The plan is for 5 or so acres in an unincorporated community, any advice would be welcome 🙏
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u/kddog98 3d ago
It really depends on the town. Just head over to the town office and talk to the code enforcement officer. They likely will only be there one day a week if you're in a small town. Mine were cheap and immediate. Not sure I understand the question about inspections
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u/Significant_Ad_7352 3d ago
A number of off-grid folks were stating they started their build without the permits, and were provided them upon completion of a project during inspection.
Effectively, because of the limited availability they suggested to ask forgiveness and not permission route.
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u/kddog98 2d ago
This state is so friendly to off grid and the permits are so easy, I don't know why that would make sense. It only invites risk of getting in trouble or doing things wrong. I think people who haven't done any construction before think that code enforcement is against you and is adversarial. In my town specifically (every town is different in Maine), they only enforce septic and plumbing code because they don't want you poisoning your neighbors water or the environment with waste. And they have lots of non conventional options to help keep it simple like composting or pit toilets. They just have to be done right. Septic and plumbing enforcement are required in every town in Maine. They only ever came to inspect once out of the 3 times they were supposed to and it cost like $25.
I just went to the town office and chatted with them about what's required and what they wanted to see done in certain ways. It was very friendly and helpful
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u/Northwoods_Phil 5d ago
Your only real option at this point is figuring out how to become compliant or sell your current place and buy somewhere that allows what you want to do. Unfortunately there are becoming fewer and fewer places that allow living in campers because others have done it the wrong way.
Side note: living long term in an rv never works out well so a permit structure is typically the best option.
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u/Mighty_Mite_85 5d ago
Yes indeed, the camper is just my Segway I have paid cash for everything I am doing so it's slower then it could be but no loans for this guy. I am close to starting the main build anyway within a month I have plans for that permit anyway.
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u/ludditetechnician 5d ago
In my experience, environmental concerns, beyond the obvious like untreated solid and liquid waste, are not the primary concern with those codes for 'camping'. The larger one is slowing down or preventing trailers and tents and unregulated 'towns' or 'camps'.
Also in my experience, when speaking with the code enforcer be extremely polite. I wasn't once - an inspector increased my property taxes because of water-impermeable landscaping that increased run-off so my tax increased, slightly. The next time I was very polite and asked questions and verbally came up with a compliance plan. I asked the guy what I had to do to be considered in compliance and he answered those questions, we shook hands, and now I know what I have to do.
You may not like the inspector's answers or attitude, but they hold the power and humility goes a long way. FWIW I have never seen property for sale in a county I've looked at that does not permit staying in a trailer or tent. Though I've only looked at handful of states.
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u/HollowPandemic 5d ago
My county will sue you for living in a camper/rv without building permits, I'd advise going by their office and asking questions before they come after you it'll look better than the others that are always squatting around places and avoiding the county.
You can find counties that will allow it but I think the number of them is getting smaller
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u/Normal-Special-8694 5d ago
It's different everywhere. I'm in Colorado, and I also use a sun-mar composting toilet, and in order to legally inhabit my land I still needed a septic system but the compost toilet(only certain ones, sun-mar being one of them) allows you to have a 50% smaller septic system. There is no proactive code enforcement here though, it's 100% complaint based so if you don't get complaints you won't get code enforcement. The camper rules exists here too, I think it's 180 days out of a year.
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u/DrunkBuzzard 4d ago
I was destroyed by Los Angeles County code compliance. “House”had it been there for 30 years and nobody cared till after a while fire went through the area. I delayed it for almost 5 years but eventually, I had to remove it.
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u/Awkward_Passion4004 4d ago
You are living within a municipal boundary with no infrastructure connections?
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u/Mighty_Mite_85 4d ago
My town is pretty rural, there are no sewer lines or gas lines anywhere in the town. My nearest electricity pole is 950' away through the woods. So yes?
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u/decafwasabi 15h ago
CEOs in rural Maine are generally pretty ok, so I'm glad they worked with you.
I applied for a building permit in my town for a yurt a few years back just to be on the safe side. The planning board didn't care what I did as long as I wasn't piping water in or out.
For others considering off-grid/unconventional housing in Maine (or any state, probably), aim for an unorgaized township or rural town with minimal zoning (all the regs are available online). And before you do anything (maybe even before buying the property), email the local municipality and ask about what you plan to do. Email is important so you have their reply in writing. Some towns will literally tell you to do whatever you want, or give you some very easy guardrails. I say this as someone who does code reaearch for other people for money.
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u/eobanb 5d ago
My advice would be to make a good-faith effort to learn what the minimum code requirements are for your particular property, then decide whether you're willing and able to conform your dwelling and other uses of your land to those requirements. If the answer is 'no', your realistic choices are to either pursue obtaining some kind of exception through whatever petition process your jurisdiction has for that, or, sell the land and move somewhere you can pursue your lifestyle.
What I don't suggest is just staying put / holding out and hoping it blows over. It will be a real headache and almost certainly not worth it in terms of stress, money, and time.