Maine Subsurface Wastewater Rules

 

Current Rules

IMPORTANT:  The Maine CDC Subsurface Wastewater Unit’s amendments to the Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (10-144 CMR Chapter 241) have been adopted and are effective as of September 23, 2023.  Click here to review details of the rule amendments.

Training on the amended rules will be provided in the spring of 2024. To receive updates about the rules and notices of the trainings, we recommend subscribing to the weekly “Septic Snippets” newsletter. To subscribe, please reach out to State Site Evaluator Brent Lawson: email or phone 592-7376.

• Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (2023 - DOCX/MS Word)
• Seasonal Conversion Rules have been incorporated into the 2023 amended Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules - Section 8-B
• Temporary Portable Toilet rules were amended through legislation (LD 2201 – Public Law 2023, Ch. 614) effective 8/8/2024.  Click here for guidance on this legislation (PDF).
• Minumum Lot Size Rules (2005 - DOC/MS Word)
• Rules for Appointment and Administration of Local Plumbing Inspectors (2011 - DOC/MS Word)
• Rules for Site Evaluators of Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Systems (2006 - DOC/MS Word)
• Rules for Establishment and Operation of Crematoria (2009 - DOC/MS Word)
• Rules Relating to Public Pools and Spas (PDF)
• Uniform Plumbing Code  Adopted as Maine's plumbing rules.

 

Prior Rules

The following links are for superseded versions of the Maine State Plumbing Code and the Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules in which significant revisions were incorporated. These are offered for reference only.

• Pre-1974 Rules Synopses  Outline of major Rule revisions, 1926 to 2009 (onsite sewage disposal system requirements for single family dwellings).
• Rule Changes and Superseded Documents by Year (all documents PDF)
  • 1920 Maine State Plumbing Code  This document primarily relates to internal plumbing, but also includes requirements for public sewers.
  • 1926 Maine State Plumbing Code  This document primarily relates to internal plumbing, but also includes requirements for public sewers or cesspools.
  • 1944 Maine State Plumbing Code
  • 1946 Maine State Plumbing Code  This is an excerpt from the 1946 Code, relating specifically to subsurface wastewater disposal.
  • 1970 Maine State Plumbing Code  This is an excerpt from the 1970 Code, relating specifically to subsurface wastewater disposal.
  • 1974 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • 1983 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • 1995 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • 2005 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • 2009 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • 2011 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • Seasonal Conversion Rules  This is the last iteration of the Seasonal Conversion Rules as a stand-alone chapter (242). Beginning in 2023, seasonal conversion requirements and restrictions have been incorporated into Chapter 241, the Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules.
  • 2015 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  • 2023 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rule Amendments

 

Updated 4/11/2025