The tiny house movement has been incredibly popular in recent years, and for a good reason. Tiny houses are less expensive to build and maintain, they take up less space, and there is a lot of freedom living in one. If you’re interested in building your own tiny home but don’t know where to start or what it entails, this blog post will walk you through the steps of how to build a tiny home in Maine!
What Type of Tiny Home do you Want to Build?
Step One: Figure out what kind of tiny house you want to build! There are many different types, shapes, and sizes. You’ll need to figure out how much space you have available for the building site, your budget constraints, and whether or not there will be any special considerations like water availability on-site as well.
Once these things are determined, it becomes easier to narrow down which type would work best for your needs. For instance, if you’re looking at a very small lot with limited space but access to running water nearby, then an A-frame style might suit your needs more than some other designs that require additional plumbing setups from primary power sources in order to produce enough pressure for a shower head installation over bathtub setup.
Laws and Permits for Tiny Homes in Maine
The primary law that comes into play for tiny houses in Maine is the zoning ordinance, which determines where you can build your tiny house. If you’re planning on building a tiny house on land with an existing home, then one of these ordinances doesn’t apply to you; however, if this isn’t the case and you plan to be located near other dwellings or buildings (even if it’s just another single-family dwelling), there are some things worth knowing before continuing with any plans.
For instance, depending on where your lot falls within certain limits from neighboring structures such as main roads and sewer lines will determine what type of permit must be acquired before construction starts.
In Maine, two main ordinances regulate where you can build your tiny home: Title 24-A – Approval standards for buildings in rural areas; which determines if you’re located in an unincorporated area of a county with populations less than 30 thousand people, then all that’s needed is just one permit from the Planning Board before construction starts on your property.
Maine’s other main ordinance is Title 24-E. The main intent of this measure is to provide a means for regulating the construction, alteration, and enlargement of any building in an area not otherwise covered by Title 24-A.
It’s more expansive than its rural counterpart as it does not require a permit from the Planning Board before construction starts on your property if you’re located in an incorporated area with populations of less than 35 thousand people.
For Maine residents looking to build their own tiny home, they need to research which ordinance applies depending on where they will be living while constructing the tiny house. The primary intent of these ordinances is safety concerns that help regulate what type of work can take place at specific locations.
The Cost of Building a Tiny House In Maine
This depends on how much work you want to do or is needed to be done by a contractor. The main cost items include building your tiny house, buying and installing appliances (if you don’t want to sell or donate them), and any costs for hooking up utilities such as water, sewage, electricity, or natural gas.
The cost per square foot of a tiny house in Maine is around $200. This is the main expense for your tiny house in Maine, whether or not you want to live simply and minimize costs with a prefabricated or modular home of using local materials from construction waste piles as much as possible to save money.
Your housing cost per square foot will depend on how big the square footage of your finished space is, what style it has (e.g., traditional vs. modern), and if you are using any utilities that require an upfront fee in addition to monthly usage fees such as electricity or water hookup charges.
The average cost for building a tiny house ranges between $20,000-40,000 depending on if you’re going above and beyond just having one room with insulation and wiring or going all-out with a complete kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping quarters.
How to Buy Land to Build a Tiny House in Maine
When looking for land to build your tiny house in Maine, you’ll want to find a spacious lot that you can afford. The main expense is the land, so make sure to figure out what area will work for your lifestyle and budget before looking at any properties.
If you decide on Maine as your desired location, there are some specific steps required when purchasing property:
- First, make sure you check with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles to see any liens or encumbrances on the property.
- Next, you’ll need to check with the local planning office for zoning requirements and permits before purchasing land.
- Finally, make sure that when you purchase a lot in Maine, it has access to water (either city water or septic) and electricity within 500 feet of your building location.
Once these steps have been completed, you can start looking for specific properties and discussing prices with potential sellers!
How to start the building process
Now that you’ve found the perfect property, it’s time to start building your tiny home!
To get started on the construction process for your new Maine tiny house, first identify a contractor who is licensed and insured. They will help you with everything from obtaining permits or determining zoning issues to what types of materials are available in the area.
Next, find an architect or engineer for designing plans based upon local codes and regulations; these professionals should also know about any limitations imposed by environmental factors such as wind loads or soil conditions. It’s best if this individual has previous experience designing small living spaces (i.e., residential trailers).
You’ll need four main things: land survey drawing, site plan, construction drawings, and a set of building plans.
You’ll also need to file the appropriate paperwork with your local municipality; it will provide you with what is called “plans review” letters that confirm all the necessary approvals have been granted.
The main thing is making sure everything’s legal before getting started on this Maine tiny house project!
Summary
Building a tiny home in Maine can seem like a dream to some people. But it’s a dream that can be turned into reality if you take the proper steps. Know what you want, find your land, and look into laws and permits. Build a tiny house in Maine with care, and you’ll be living the dream.