Learn More About the Department

Community Development - FY 24 Code Enforcement, Planning, Economic Development & Assessing

To ensure basic life safety standards in the community
To balance private property rights with codified community values and needs
To articulate community vision with regard to development
To grow the Town’s tax base
To provide fair and equitable assessment of all real and personal property
Work internally (with other Town departments) and externally (with the University, business community, and other stakeholders) to foster community pride of place
To provide high quality service to the public

Growth Management Act: Assuring that Land Use Ordinance is consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which in turn must be consistent with the terms of the Growth Management Act
Administration and enforcement of Maine Uniform Building and Energy Codes (MUBEC)
MS4 requirements in planning and code enforcement, per the Town’s general stormwater discharge permit
Use State legislated minimum assessing standards to annually certify the equalized just value of all real and personal property in the community

Enforce Building and Land Use Codes
Facilitate and Provide Technical Support to Planning Board
Facilitate and Provide Technical Support to Board of Appeals
Manage Integrated Land Use Ordinance that includes zoning, subdivision regulations, site plan review, shoreland zoning, and floodplains
Review Codes for compliance in an ever changing regulatory environment and make recommendations for additions/revisions to better meet community needs
Facilitate the Comprehensive Planning process to codify vision and legal structure for Town Ordinances
Work with current and prospective businesses to grow and retain commercial enterprises in Orono
Review plans, approve permits, and perform inspections for new construction and property renovations
Oversee Rental Ordinance and Registration Process
Monthly inspection of Town to proactively identify potential code issues
Assistance to Orono Economic Development Corp., Town Manager, regional entities in support of economic growth
Process Tree Growth Roster for the State of Maine
Complete Municipal Valuation Report and all associated documents for the Maine Revenue Service
Process abatement applications related to valuation
Complete BETE applications for Maine Revenue Services
Discuss valuations with taxpayers, real estate brokers and appraisers, and processing abatements and supplemental tax assessments

Personnel: 4.5 FTE, 1 Contracted