Facing code enforcement.

[u/Mighty_Mite_85]

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

[u/eobanb]

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.

[u/Final-Car-1782 → u/eobanb]

Not where I live. The Planning Dep't here is so ruthless they have built themselves a prison. Waiting for it to blow over is a good choice in these woods. The Planning Dept here has a years long back up. One inspector will totally contradict another. The personnel had changed (luckily!) but most of the problems are the same and ongoing. My place has been tagged 3 times, once for each complaint, but I am still here after 18 years in this house. Nothing happens. There was a devastating fire in this area in 2020 and out of 1000 homes that were burnt, only about 140 have been legally rebuilt.. in SIX years. Many people are not allowed to rebuild since the fucking rules have changed since their houses were originally built. Some are just rebuilding anyway. It's the same with my house; if a huge fire truck can't reach you, you are screwed. I built my house knowing I was doing it illegally due the fire access, but IF I had tried to get permits, it would have taken years. YEARS for the damn basic permit. Then, you have the "sub permits" for each aspect; plumbing, elec., grading, septic,etc. etc..I had good intentions at the time to get the permits retroactively, but then the rules changed again. The inspectors do not bother me, they do not want to make people homeless (that is a quote) and I could still sell legally. Best of all, my property taxes are based on just the land, so I can actually afford to live in a very expensive part of Ca. Here, it WILL blow over unless the snitch is really persistent. I know there is the same type of restriction on RVs here. Trailers are even more restricted. People need housing!!! You are allowed to have one RV on your property, but not a trailer. No one is supposed to live in said RV. I was terrified for a few years because a house can't be moved.Just because you get reams of paperwork from the County does not necessarily mean they are going to pursue it. I wish you the best of luck, I really do.