Ramps in Maine: town codes, renters' rights and snow

Whether a Maine family needs a permit for a home ramp often comes down to a number: 4,000. Maine has a single statewide building code, but state law requires towns to enforce it only once they have more than 4,000 residents. Smaller towns may enforce it, and they may not substitute a different code.

Renters have a clear rule of their own under the Maine Human Rights Act. And every Maine ramp, permitted or not, has to deal with snow, ice and nor'easters. This page covers each of those, then turns to products for thresholds and doors and help from Maine CITE.

The Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code and your town

10 M.R.S. §9724(1) begins: "This chapter provides express limitations on municipal home rule authority. The Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code must be enforced in a municipality that has more than 4,000 residents." Subsection 1-A covers smaller places: "A municipality of up to 4,000 residents is not required to enforce, but may not adopt or enforce a building code other than the Maine Uniform Building Code, the Maine Uniform Energy Code or the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code."

Subsection 3 adds that, apart from listed exceptions, "any ordinance regarding a building code of any political subdivision of the State that is inconsistent with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code is void." Subsection 5 still allows an ordinance "that sets forth provisions for local enforcement of building codes," so how permits are handled can differ from town to town.

The statute does not say which home projects need a permit, and we did not find a ramp-specific rule in it. In a town over 4,000 residents, expect the local code enforcement officer to apply the state code to a built ramp; in a smaller town, ask whether it has chosen to enforce the code. Either way, the code enforcement officer is the person who can answer for your address.

Renting in Maine: reasonable modifications

The Maine Human Rights Act speaks to this directly. 5 M.R.S. §4582-A(1) makes it unlawful housing discrimination for an owner, landlord, manager or their agents "to refuse to permit, at the expense of a person with physical or mental disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by that person if the modifications may be necessary to give that person full enjoyment of the premises." With a rental, the landlord "when it is reasonable to do so, may condition permission for a modification on the renter's agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted." Ask in writing, and agree on what happens to the ramp when you move.

Snow load, ice and wet seasons

NOAA's Maine climate summary notes average snowfall of 40 to 80 inches across the southern and northern interior and up to 100 inches at the northern tip. It reports that precipitation since 2005 has averaged 6.6 inches more than during 1895-2004, that the number of 2-inch extreme precipitation events in 2005-2014 was nearly double the long-term average, and that "Since 2007, weather-related disasters have been declared in every county in Maine."

For a ramp, that means planning snow removal from the start: a surface you can shovel without damaging it, a route for the plowed or shoveled snow that does not bury the bottom landing, and traction in freeze-thaw weather. A covered entry, where possible, takes much of the burden off.

Products for the doorway

• A threshold up to 4 inches. The Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp locks together with puzzle-like edges, needs no tools or hardware, and gives a 36 in usable width at every height. Harmar says it is assembled in the USA.
• Getting the door open from a chair. The Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener is designed for any door that swings freely, from front doors to bathroom doors, and an internal battery keeps it working in a power failure.
• One switch for the whole family. The 36 in Vertical Push Pad (FW) stands 36 in tall so a single wireless pad serves both seated and standing users, and runs on a standard 9V battery.
• A remote on the wheelchair. The Open Sesame Standard Transmitter (D) can be mounted below a wheelchair armrest or on a side panel, and comes with a sensitivity paddle that makes it easier to push.

For a full ramp, the ramp fit check collects the rise and layout we need to size it.

Maine CITE

Maine CITE, the program listed for Maine by the AT3 Center, is based at the University of Maine at Augusta. Maine CITE helps "people of all ages and all abilities explore tools and technologies to make life easier," offers device borrowing and demonstrations, and fields questions about assistive technology funding. Its webinars include smart home technology for making a home work better.

Ordering and delivery to Maine

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. Shipping covers the lower 48 states and DC: free on orders over $500 and $15 on smaller orders, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Find details on shipping to Maine, or begin with the ramp fit check.

Questions about ramps in Maine

Do I need a building permit for a ramp in Maine?

It depends on your town. 10 M.R.S. §9724 requires the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code to be enforced in municipalities with more than 4,000 residents. Smaller towns are not required to enforce it but may not use a different code. Ask your local code enforcement officer before building.

Can a small Maine town adopt its own building code?

No. Under §9724(1-A), a municipality of up to 4,000 residents "may not adopt or enforce a building code other than" the Maine Uniform Building Code, Energy Code or Building and Energy Code. It can choose whether to enforce the state code, and local ordinances may set enforcement procedures.

Can my Maine landlord refuse a ramp?

5 M.R.S. §4582-A(1) makes it unlawful to refuse reasonable modifications, at the tenant's expense, that may be necessary for full enjoyment of the home. A landlord may reasonably condition permission on restoring the interior later. Put the request and any agreement in writing.

How do I keep a Maine ramp usable in winter?

Plan for snow from day one. NOAA reports 40 to 80 inches of average snowfall across Maine's interior, more in the far north. Choose a surface that can be shoveled and stays slip-resistant, leave room to pile cleared snow away from the landings, and consider covering the entry.

Browse the ramps and door openers collection, size a ramp in the ramp fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 10 M.R.S. §9724, Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code application
• 5 M.R.S. §4582-A, unlawful housing discrimination on the basis of disability
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Maine
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp
• Faith Mobility product page: Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener
• Faith Mobility product page: Open Sesame 36 in Vertical Push Pad (FW)
• Faith Mobility product page: Open Sesame Standard Transmitter (D)
• AT3 Center: State AT programs directory (Maine)
• Maine CITE