Permits & licensing in Maine local government
What Maine city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about permits & licensing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
200 Maine meetings since 2024 covered permits & licensing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Maine with the most permits & licensing activity
- Biddeford, ME (22)
- Portland, ME (22)
- Sanford, ME (17)
- Presque Isle, ME (15)
- Wiscasset, ME (12)
- Winthrop, ME (12)
- Auburn, ME (12)
- Scarborough Public Schools, ME (12)
- Skowhegan, ME (10)
- Eastport, ME (10)
- Cumberland, ME (9)
- Fryeburg, ME (7)
Latest matching meetings
HPC to review remodeling of 12 Pearl Street for residential use
The Historic Preservation Commission will review two applications: an expansion at 11 Smalls Court by Aiden Lane and a remodeling at 12 Pearl Street by Coastal Oaks for residential use. The commission will also consider approval of minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting.
Selectboard will approve $333,143 FAA grant for airport apron reconstruction
The Wiscasset Selectboard will vote on two Federal Aviation Administration grant contracts to rebuild airport parking aprons, one for $333,143 and another for $136,999. The board will also approve a gift proposal to restore a public granite bench at the Custom House and waive a hearing to issue a special amusement…
Biddeford City Council to consider liquor license and FY26 carry over request
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a liquor license for Hakuna Matata. Members will also review a finance request for FY26 carry over funds and a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Old Orchard Beach regarding General Assistance vacation coverage.
Skowhegan Selectboard meets to discuss liquor licenses and police vehicle funding
The Selectboard will review several liquor license applications for local restaurants and consider a purchase for a new police interceptor. The meeting also includes a vote on a legislative policy committee nominee and the Skowhegan State Fair bingo registration.
Council to swear in new members and elect leadership
The Council will swear in newly elected members and elect a Chair and Vice-Chair. Additional business includes funding for the Casco Bay Trail and various local licensing and property matters.
Planning Board to consider zoning map revisions and dog grooming facility application
The Planning Board will meet to approve minutes from June 8, 2026, and review a pre-application for a dog grooming facility at 61 Flood Avenue. They will also discuss proposed revisions to Village I and Village II maps, lot size and setback requirements, and a summary of permitted uses. These zoning changes could…
Town will vote on a lease with the Fryeburg Historical Society for 103 Lovell Road.
The Select Board will review and act on the updated Maintenance and Operation Agreement for the Mountain Division Recreation Rail Trail Fryeburg segment. It will hold a public hearing and vote on a special amusement permit and a liquor license renewal for Dimitra LLC/Fryeburg House of Pizza. The board will also…
Planning Board to consider two conditional use permits for shoreland zone expansions
The Winthrop Planning Board will hold a public hearing and decide on two applications for Conditional Use Permits to allow expansions of nonconforming structures in shoreland zones. One application is at 23 North Upper Narrows Lane in both Shoreland and Public Drinking Water Zones, and the other is at 104 Memorial…
City Council to hold public hearing on Social Bar liquor license
The Biddeford City Council will conduct a public hearing and consider a liquor license for Social Bar. The body will also approve a mayoral appointment to a citizen committee and set meeting dates for November 2026.
Planning Board to review housing, shopping center, and subdivision permits
The Bangor Planning Board will consider amending land development codes to add flexibility for manufactured home parks and review three land development permits for a shopping center, a mixed-use subdivision, and a 41-unit apartment building.
Council to vote on syringe service regulations; discuss mobile home rent caps
The Council will hold a workshop on a draft mobile home rent stabilization ordinance, then convene a regular meeting to hold a public hearing and vote on a second reading of an ordinance regulating syringe service programs. Consent items include appointments and an asset forfeiture of $868 to the police department…
Mount Desert Selectboard to consider $227,800 contract for town revaluation services
The Selectboard will discuss the results of the Assessor's revaluation proposal and a potential contract with VGSI for revaluation support. The board will also review liquor license renewals for three local businesses and approve several public works and security contracts.
Presque Isle City Council to review licenses and $1 million in warrants
The City Council will hold public hearings regarding lodging and marijuana licenses. The body will also consider the designation of a dangerous building at 4 Pond Street and approve several board appointments.
Council to hear road construction update, vote on parking study
The City Council will receive a presentation on Cottage Street summer construction and detours, and hold a public hearing for a new liquor license for Jasmine Thai Kitchen at 459 Main Street. Key votes include authorizing a $53,000 parking plan study with VHB, accepting criminal forfeiture funds, and approving a…
Recreation Commission to discuss riverwalk design and dam relicensing
The commission will review the Androscoggin Riverwalk design and receive an update on the Brunswick Dam relicensing process. The meeting also includes a report on recreation programs and a restoration update for Simpson Point Landing.
Cumberland Town Council to consider public safety radio and liquor license renewals
The Town Council will discuss a long-range plan for Twin Brook playground and vote on several administrative contracts and licenses. The meeting includes public hearings for a liquor license and a youth soccer tournament permit.
Planning Board to review Popeye's restaurant and two daycare proposals
The Biddeford Planning Board will hold public hearings to vote on several chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, including Natural Resources, Future Land Use, and Marine Resources. The board will also review conditional use permits for two new childcare facilities and a minor site plan amendment for a car wash, plus a…
Council to hold public hearing and vote on FY2027 budget and street vendor ordinance
The City Council will hold public hearings and take action on the FY2027 budget, a street vendor ordinance, and several alcohol and victualer licenses. They will also consider filling a council vacancy following a resignation, setting property tax interest rates, and appointing a new city clerk. Other items include…
Sewer treatment plant funding, liquor licenses, and police labor talks on agenda
The Selectboard will elect a chairman and vice chairman, then hold public hearings on two liquor license applications (Jolie Rogers LLC at 8 Railroad Ave and Panacea LLC at 100 Main St.) and discuss a Community Development Block Grant. Unfinished business includes a follow-up on the sewer treatment plant. New business…
Council considers PILOT policy for tax-exempt properties
The Portland City Council will consider adopting a voluntary Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax (PILOT) policy for tax-exempt entities, after multiple postponements. They will also vote on a resolution supporting the Casco Bay Trail project and authorize bond funding for Riverton Pool repairs. Consent items include several liquor…
Winthrop Town Council to hold public hearing on FY27 Municipal Budget
The Town Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the FY27 municipal budget. Members will also consider amusement permit applications for local businesses and approve capital projects for the Bailey Public Library.
Planning Board to discuss ordinance amendments, permitted use tables, and development application
The York Planning Board will review draft ordinance amendments and proposed updates to the Article 4 permitted use tables. The board will also discuss development application 2026-0002 for Wiggly Bridge Distilling. The meeting includes consideration of the May 28, 2026 planning draft minutes.
Council to set public hearing for liquor license renewal, consider county contract
The Town Council will hold an executive session to evaluate the town manager and discuss potential land acquisition. In public session, they will set a public hearing date for a liquor license renewal for First Tracks Investments, LLC, and vote on authorizing a 3-year contract with Cumberland County for General…
Selectboard to consider liquor licenses and town equipment bids
The board will review new liquor license applications for Finisher's Restaurant and MTNS of Beer. Other items include approving parade permits, equipment leases, and a $20,000 IT improvement expenditure.
Planning Board to vote on Deep Cove Road Boat Ramp permit
The Eastport Planning Board will meet to review and vote on a permit for the Deep Cove Road Boat Ramp. Other agenda items include the Code Enforcement Officer's report and public comments.
Public hearing on proposed water rate increase and Benjamin's Brewer license
The Brewer City Council will hold public hearings on a proposed 3% water rate increase (14% for high usage) and a liquor/amusement license for MF Dream, LLC d/b/a Benjamin's Brewer at 46 Acme Road. The council also plans to approve Fiscal Year 2027 budgets, set tax due dates, and amend ordinances on hauled wastewater…
Council to vote on FY 26/27 school budget
The Sanford City Council will vote on the FY 26/27 school budget and hold a public hearing and vote on a new marijuana manufacturing license for Green Truck Farms at 27 Hancock Lane. The second reading of a Parks and Recreation Ordinance is also on the agenda for adoption. Other business includes multiple road…
Selectboard to discuss MaineDEP letter on relocating wastewater plant
The Selectboard will discuss a MaineDEP letter regarding relocating the wastewater treatment plant and consider awarding a commercial real estate appraisal contract. They will also approve new business licenses, authorize a one-year agreement with Midcoast Humane Society, and enter executive sessions for a poverty…
City Council to hold second public hearing on $363.9 million FY27 budget
The City Council will conduct a second read and public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget. The Finance Committee has recommended the budget in the amount of $363,927,435. The meeting includes several orders to implement budget-related fees, agreements, and appropriations.
Council to reappropriate $78,986 from LED lights capital reserve
The Winthrop Town Council will consider a resolution to reappropriate $78,986 from the LED lights capital reserve to other capital reserves. They will also vote on a $22,500 bid for drainage mitigation at Bailey Library and discuss property revaluations with the assessor. Other items include approving a transient…
Public hearing for new liquor license at Jordan Pond House
The Selectboard will hold a public hearing and consider approval of a new liquor license for Dawnland LLC d/b/a Jordan Pond House. They will also confirm appointments including an assistant fire chief, a firefighter/EMT, and a buildings & grounds custodian, and approve utility permits for Versant Power on Hall Quarry…
Fish pier stone wall unstable; commission approves sensor project, food truck, tour boat dockage
The Harbor Management Commission discussed the unstable fish pier stone wall and approved a water-level sensor project with Brown University. They also approved permits for an art installation, a food truck, a cycling event, and temporary dockage for tour boats during construction. The commission declined to recommend…
Council to vote on medical marijuana licenses, fair permit, and tax settlements
The Town Council will hold public hearings and vote on renewals of four medical marijuana caregiver licenses, a major mass gathering permit for the 154th Cumberland County Fair, and authorize grant applications and tax settlements. The meeting also includes an executive session for legal negotiations and approval of…
Council to vote on FY27 city budget second reading
The City Council will hold a second reading and vote on the FY27 city budget, including appropriations, revenues, and property tax rates. A public hearing and presentation on the Recreation Bond will take place. Other votes include a Master Fee Schedule ordinance and parking limit amendments.
Public hearing on annual town meeting warrant
The Selectboard will hold public hearings on a liquor license for Treats at 80 Main Street and the annual town meeting warrant for the June 9 vote. They will vote on a new business license for Maine Ocean Buzz Coffee House, a lease-purchase for a solid waste trash trailer with Androscoggin Bank, and a pier vendor…
Council to hold public hearing on $167M school budget, first read on $363.9M municipal budget
The council will hold a second reading and public hearing on the FY27 School Budget totaling $167,001,038, with $135.4 million from property taxes, which will go to voters in June. It will also hold a first reading on the FY27 Municipal Budget of $363,927,435 and consider several administrative fee changes. Consent…
Council to discuss property revaluations, capital plan, and animal control agreement
The Winthrop Town Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a special amusement permit for the YMCA Camp of Maine. They will also consider interlocal agreements for animal control services with Manchester and Monmouth, and discuss the fiscal year 2026-27 capital improvement program and property revaluations…
Fryeburg board to decide on rescue lease, $50k donation
The Select Board will hold public hearings for three mobile vendor licenses (B&D Roadside Grill, Mr. Twister, Potts Harbor Lobster) and vote on approvals including Mow's Munchies. They will also consider a lease modification with Fryeburg Rescue Association, approve $3,800 in contingency funds for an engineer…
Council considers moratorium on AI data centers
The Eastport City Council will hold public hearings on several liquor and victualer license renewals and a new temporary license for a special event. New business includes a presentation from the Deer Committee, appointments for city treasurer and other positions, a $4,500 transfer for an animal control vehicle, and…
Committee to discuss relocating bench to Main St. pier
The Wiscasset Waterfront Committee will hear a harbormaster report, approve minutes, and discuss relocating the James Weldon Johnson bench to the Main St. pier. They will also consider a pier vendor permit for Sheepscot Enterprises LLC and take up new business and public comments.