Permits, Laws and Rules

Use of this page assumes that you know what licenses may be required for your activity. If you have questions, please contact appropriate staff, as indicated on the pages linked below, or contact the DEP.

Links to move down this page: permits (activity licenses, professional certifications, and fees and timelines); laws and rules; and related off-site links.

Related pages: tax certifications; water quality certifications.

1. Permits (including permits, licenses, approvals, and certifications issued by DEP)

A. Activity licenses

Air Emissions. (207)287-2437

General Information Page (read first)

Minor Sources

Major Sources

Land & Water. (207)287-3901 Staff contact information is listed on the licensing program pages below.

General Information Page (read first)

Hydropower & Dams

Mining

Natural Resources Protection (NRPA)

Site Location

Stormwater

Waste Discharge (includes municipal/industrial treatment systems, overboard discharges, subsurface discharges, and sand/salt).

Water Quality Certification

Remediation and Waste Management. (207)287-2651

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Waste Transporter Program

Solid Waste

B. Professional certifications

Asbestos Professional Certification. For more information about asbestos certification, contact Sandy J. Moody (207) 287-7751

Erosion control contractor certification

Lead Abatement Professional Certification. For more information about lead certification, contact Sandy J. Moody (207) 287-7751

Underground storage tank installers and inspectors

Wastewater treatment operator certification

C. Fees and timelines

Fee schedule Licensing Fee Schedule.
Processing schedule Processing Time Schedule for New Applications.

2. Laws & Rules

The following are general links to Maine's statutes, and the department's rules. A web page for a particular program provides links to the statutes and rules for the particular program.

Maine statutes (off-site). This text is maintained by Maine's Legislature. After a legislative session ends, it takes some time for new amendments to be proofed and this data base updated, so the site may not always contain the most recent changes. Please check the DEP's Legislative Page, and speak to staff in particular programs, if you need texts of changes not yet reflected on the Legislature's website.

DEP rules (off-site). An on-line listing of State Agency rules currently in effect is maintained by the Maine Secretary of State's Office. The site may not include recent changes. Please check DEP's Rulemaking Page, and speak to staff in particular programs, if you need texts that are not yet reflected on the Secretary of State's website.

Rulemaking. For rules that have been formally proposed and are in the rulemaking process, see the Rulemaking Page. You may request to be on a mailing list for specific rulemaking activity at no charge, by contacting the staff person responsible for the rulemaking.

Informal advisory processes. A small number of rulemakings include a significant informal public process before the formal rulemaking process beings. For information on recent and current informal processes, which may result in formal rulemaking, see the Special Topics Page.

Subscription service. DEP offers a subscription service which provides notification of both rulemaking changes and rule adoption for all department rules. This services is available for an annual fee of $19.16 (including tax) and covers the calendar year from January to December. You may subscribe by contacting Terry Hanson (207) 287-2811.

3. Related off-site links

Federal statutes (U.S. Code)
Federal regulations (CFR)
Comment on federal regulations