Code of Maine Rules
16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
642 - BUREAU OF BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS
Chapter 1 - MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Section 642-1-3 - DEFINITIONS
Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024
As used throughout this Chapter and these rules, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. Amendment."Amendment" means any modification to the MUBEC, initiated through Board action or by petition to the Board from any agency, municipality, county or interested individual or organization that would have the effect of changing the MUBEC Amendments to the MUBEC must be adopted in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, Chapter 375.
2. Any building code. "Any building code" means a building code or standard locally adopted based on the Maine model building codes under 10 M.R.S. Chapter 1101, or a national model building code and used to regulate the construction of buildings. A fire and life safety code, fire safety ordinance or any land use ordinance, including but not limited to: the Land Use Planning Commission rules, are not considered as "any building code" for purposes of this definition.
3. Applicant. "Applicant" for a building permit or certificate of occupancy includes a property owner or his or her authorized agent, which includes but is not limited to a builder, developer, contractor, or construction manager.
4. Board. "Board" means the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board established in 5 M.R.S. §12004-G, subsection 5-A.
5. Building official. "Building official" means a building official or officer charged with the administration and enforcement of this Code and includes a codes enforcement officer appointed pursuant to 25 M.R.S. §2351-A.
6. Bureau. "Bureau" means the Office of State Fire Marshal.
7. MUBEC. "MUBEC" means the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code adopted pursuant to 10 M.R.S. §9271, et seq.
8. MUBEC Stretch Code. An alternative building energy code adopted and maintained by the board as an appendix to the MUBEC, that is more stringent from the perspective of energy efficiency, carbon reductions, and resilience than the currently adopted edition of the Energy Code, which a municipality may elect to substitute, in its entirety, for the current edition of the Energy Code, 10 M.R.S. §9722, et seq.
9. Model codes. "Model codes" means the codes developed by the model code organizations and adopted by reference in 10 M.R.S. §9721, et seq.
10. Model code organization(s). "Model Code organization(s)" means the national code-promulgating organizations that develop the model codes (as defined herein), such as the International Code Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, National Fire Protection Association and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
11. Municipality. "Municipality" means any city, town, plantation or municipal village corporation within the State.
12. Population. "Population" means the number of residents living in the municipality according to the U.S. Census Bureau's most recent decennial census.
13. Seasonal Dwelling. To be considered a seasonal dwelling, a building must meet a minimum of three of the requirements listed below and not be occupied more than 180 days within any calendar year. If the building meets the minimum requirements, then the building would meet the requirements set forth by the State of Maine to be considered a seasonal dwelling for the requirements of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC). If a building is considered a seasonal dwelling compliance with the IECC is not required.
14. Third-party inspector ("TPI"). "TPI" means a person certified by the Office of State Fire Marshal to conduct inspections under 30-A M.R.S. §4451, for compliance with these Codes.
