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Maine · Bathroom · Free 2026 permit-fee estimator

Bathroom permit cost in Maine

On a typical $15,000 bathroom project, Maine's statewide median building permit fee is $216 — about 1.44% of cost. Top Portland metros run higher.

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Maine statewide median

$216

≈ 1.44% of $15,000 project cost

Range: $75 (min) – $1,300 (max)

Top 3 Maine metros — actual permit fee

The state base × project type stays the same; the metro multiplier is where the swing comes from.

Portland

$270

Metro multiplier: 1.25× statewide base

Bangor

$216

Metro multiplier: statewide base

Augusta

$194

Metro multiplier: 0.9× statewide base

Maine permit-fee context

Portland uses ICC × 1.15; rural towns often have no permit fee for residential under $5k value.

Why bathroom? Plumbing + electrical permits required; building permit only if walls move. Mid-range fee weight.

What this fee does NOT include

  • Plan-review service fees (typically 0.5–1% of cost, separate line)
  • Per-trade fees (plumbing, electrical, mechanical — $50–$200 each)
  • State-level surcharges (FL DBPR, NJ DCA, OR BCD, etc.)
  • Contractor's filing/processing fee

Rule of thumb: budget 1.5–2× the base permit fee for the all-in cost.

Compare bathroom remodel in Maine across all lenses

Before you sign, run the 4 other state-aware lenses for the same project.

FAQ — Bathroom permits in Maine

How much is a bathroom permit in Maine in 2026?

On a typical $15,000 bathroom project in Maine, the statewide median permit fee runs $216 — about 1.44% of project cost. Major metros run higher: Portland $270, Bangor $216, Augusta $194. Portland uses ICC × 1.15; rural towns often have no permit fee for residential under $5k value.

Why is the fee higher in major Maine metros?

Each Maine city/county sets its own multiplier on top of the state base rate. Portland runs 1.25× because of stricter plan review + structural review + energy-code overhead. Augusta sits lower (0.9×) because of less plan-review depth + simpler intake. Rural counties in Maine often have flat-fee schedules below even the lowest metro.

What's included in the permit fee vs. what's billed separately?

The permit fee covers the building department's intake + base review. NOT included: plan-review service fees (often a separate line, 0.5–1% of project cost), per-trade fees for plumbing/electrical/mechanical (typically $50–$200 each), and any state-level surcharges (FL adds DBPR 1.5%, NJ adds DCA, OR adds 12% BCD surcharge). Your contractor's filing fee is also separate. Budget 1.5–2× the base permit fee for the all-in cost.

Can I skip the permit and save the fee?

Don't. Working without a required permit fails any future resale inspection (the buyer's inspector WILL flag it), voids your homeowner's insurance for any related claim, and triggers retro-permitting fines that are typically 2–3× the original fee. Maine treats unpermitted bathroom work as a separate violation under state building code. The "savings" become a $1,500 problem at resale on a $500 fee.

Disclaimer: Permit fees are jurisdiction-specific and change frequently. These values are 2026 medians — verify against your local building department's current fee schedule before budgeting.