# 385 Ch. 850: Ch. 850: Community Licensing - Standards > Maine · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_850 ## Section - **Citation:** 385 Ch. 850 - **Heading:** Ch. 850: Community Licensing - Standards - **Jurisdiction:** Maine - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Code of Maine Rules / -385 Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Rules / Ch. 850 ## Text Summary: This chapter establishes licensing standards relating to minimum lot size, potable water, plumbing, fuel supplies, electrical connections, life and fire safety, streets, and nuisances. 1. Minimum Lot Size Unless grandfathered pursuant to Section 10 of this chapter. 1. Public Sewage Utility Each site that is served by a public sewage utility shall contain a minimum of 5,000 square feet, exclusive of roads. 2. Central Subsurface Sewer System Each site that is served by a central subsurface sewer system shall contain a minimum of 5,000 square feet, exclusive of roads, provided that the entire community contains at least 20,000 square feet for each site in the community, inclusive of roads. The 20,000 square foot minimum authorized by this subsection may be increased by the Division of Environmental Health within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, if necessitated by soil conditions, pursuant to Chapter 241 of the Rules of the Division of Environmental Health within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services entitled "Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules." 3. Individual Sewage Systems Each site that is not served by a central subsurface sewer system or a public sewage utility shall contain a minimum of 20,000 square feet, inclusive of roads. 2. Potable Water Water Supply A manufactured housing community must have an adequate supply of potable water at all times. In the event of contamination or system failure, the community shall immediately procure an emergency supply of potable water via tanker or other means for drinking, cooking and sanitation purposes at its own expense. 3. Plumbing Generally A community shall comply at all times with Chapter 241 of the Rules of the Division of Environmental Health within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services entitled "Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules." 4. Fuel Supplies 1 le water via tanker or other means for drinking, cooking and sanitation purposes at its own expense. 3. Plumbing Generally A community shall comply at all times with Chapter 241 of the Rules of the Division of Environmental Health within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services entitled "Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules." 4. Fuel Supplies 1. Outside Oil Supply Tanks The provisions of this subsection, "Outside Oil Supply Tanks," apply to new installations and replacement installations made on or after the effective date of this chapter. A. Oil supply tanks shall not be installed on wood or other combustible surfaces or supports. B. Outside oil supply tanks of 350 gallons or less shall be supported in accordance with Section 4(1)(C) or (D) of this chapter. Tanks larger than 350 gallons shall comply with all rules of the Maine Fuel Board. C. A horizontal oil supply tank shall be mounted on steel pipe legs, not exceeding 12 inches in height with floor flanges at the base of the steel legs, supported by four 4 x 8 x 16 inch solid cement blocks, or a one piece minimum 3 inches thick reinforced concrete pad not smaller than the tank dimensions. The four blocks or the concrete pad shall rest on a firm subgrade consisting of a bed of compacted, well-draining gravel (6 inch minimum), crushed stone (6 inch minimum), or some other subgrade approved by the Board. There must be a minimum of 4 inches of clearance under the tank from any surface. See Figure 12(a) below. D. An upright or vertical oil supply tank shall be mounted on steel pipe legs not exceeding 12 inches in height, with floor flanges at the base of the steel leg, and supported by a minimum 3 inches thick reinforced concrete pad. The reinforced concrete pad's width and length shall not be smaller than the tank dimensions. The concrete pad shall be of one piece construction See Figure 12(a) below. D. An upright or vertical oil supply tank shall be mounted on steel pipe legs not exceeding 12 inches in height, with floor flanges at the base of the steel leg, and supported by a minimum 3 inches thick reinforced concrete pad. The reinforced concrete pad's width and length shall not be smaller than the tank dimensions. The concrete pad shall be of one piece construction. The concrete pad shall rest on a bed of compacted, well- draining gravel (6 inches minimum), crushed stone (6 inches minimum), or some other subgrade approved by the Board. There must be a minimum of 4 inches of clearance under the tank from any surface. See Figure 12(b) below. E. An outside oil supply tank servicing a manufactured home as defined in Chapter 820, Section 1(7)(B) of the Board 's rules may only be installed by a licensee of the Maine Fuel Board, including a manufactured housing mechanic or dealer who holds a limited license from the Maine Fuel Board to install outside oil tanks at manufactured housing pursuant to 10 M.R.S. §2401. F. Outside tanks and piping must be located such that they are not subject to falling snow or ice. To meet this requirement, the tank and outdoor piping must be installed with a protective cover over the tank valve, oil filter and other piping without structural support or not attached to the side of the building. G. All oil supply lines shall be protected from physical damage or corrosion. 2. Supply Connections/Oil Shut-off Valves A. A listed lever or wheel, thermally operated oil shut-off valve designed to shut off the oil supply in case of fire, shall be installed at the burner, at the supply tank, and where the oil supply line enters (inside) the building when outside tanks are used. B. Whenever the oil supply is taken from the top of an oil tank, whether the oil tank is outside or inside, a thermally operated wheel or lever type shut-off valve shall be installed at the tank and at the burner for control of the fuel ly in case of fire, shall be installed at the burner, at the supply tank, and where the oil supply line enters (inside) the building when outside tanks are used. B. Whenever the oil supply is taken from the top of an oil tank, whether the oil tank is outside or inside, a thermally operated wheel or lever type shut-off valve shall be installed at the tank and at the burner for control of the fuel. A check valve may be used in the supply line, but no valve or obstruction shall be placed in a return line connected to a burner or pump. A thermally operated valve is required on supply lines from outside tanks at the entrance inside the building and shall be located just inside of the structure wall. 3. Storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane) Cylinders A. Cylinders having water capacities greater than 2.7 lb. (1.2 kg) and connected for use shall stand on a firm and substantially level surface. If necessary, they shall be secured in an upright position. Department of Transportation cylinders in permanent installations must rest on noncombustible materials. B. Cylinders not in use shall be removed from the community. The provisions of this paragraph are applicable to cylinders of 1000 lb (454 kg) water capacity, or less, that are not connected for use, whether filled, partially filled, or empty (if they have been in LP-Gas service). 5. Electrical A community shall comply at all times with NFPA 70, 2014 National Electrical Code, as adopted for Maine in Chapter 120 of the rules of the Electricians' Examining Board. [Note: A list of code provisions commonly violated is attached to this chapter as Appendix A. This is not a substitute for the entire National Electrical Code.] 6. Life and Fire Safety 1. Identification Each home in a community shall be clearly marked for identification in a uniform manner that is clearly visible from the street serving the site. 2 rules of the Electricians' Examining Board. [Note: A list of code provisions commonly violated is attached to this chapter as Appendix A. This is not a substitute for the entire National Electrical Code.] 6. Life and Fire Safety 1. Identification Each home in a community shall be clearly marked for identification in a uniform manner that is clearly visible from the street serving the site. 2. Fire Prevention All areas and individual sites within a community shall be maintained so as to be free of debris that could contribute to the spread of fire within the site or community. 3. Firebreaks No portion of a manufactured home, excluding the hitch, shall be located closer than 10 feet (3 meters) side to side, 8 feet (2.4 meters) end to side, or 6 feet (1.8 meters) end to end horizontally from any other manufactured home or community building unless the exposed composite walls and roof of either structure are without openings and constructed of materials that will provide a 1 hour fire-resistance rating or the structures are separated by a 1 hour fire-rated barrier. 7. Streets 1. Construction Standards Community streets shall meet the Street Construction Standard for Manufactured Housing Communities contained in Appendix B to this chapter. 2. Setback No manufactured home or any part thereof shall be installed within 5 feet of any traveled way. 3. Access by Emergency Vehicles and Essential Services All streets within a community shall be constructed and maintained so as to afford adequate access by emergency vehicles and essential services. 4. Drainage All streets within a community shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide adequate drainage from and adjacent to the roadway. 8. Pads 1. Grade Grades shall slope away from all pads to adequate outfall. There shall be no standing water on the surface underneath a home. 2 tructed and maintained so as to afford adequate access by emergency vehicles and essential services. 4. Drainage All streets within a community shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide adequate drainage from and adjacent to the roadway. 8. Pads 1. Grade Grades shall slope away from all pads to adequate outfall. There shall be no standing water on the surface underneath a home. 2. General Construction Pads shall be constructed so that homes which are installed in accordance with the Board's Manufactured Housing Installation Standards shall maintain plumbing trap seals, experience no buildup of solid waste in drain piping, and maintain egress doors and egress windows. 9. Nuisances No community shall cause, tolerate or permit any of the following hazards or conditions within the community: 1. Storage of trash in other than designated areas; 2. Storage of trash in inadequate, insecure or overflowing containers; 3. Unsecured vacant homes; 4. Missing or insecure manhole or septic system covers; 5. Trees that have been certified as hazardous by a licensed arborist; 6. An abandoned or discarded chest, closet, piece of furniture, refrigerator, freezer or other article having a compartment capacity of 11/2 cubic feet or more; 7. Any activity, structure, object or land use prosecutable as a public nuisance pursuant to 17 M.R.S. §2802 as it relates to manufactured housing communities; and 8. Any dangerous, unsanitary or unhealthful condition that threatens the safety or welfare of the community. 10. Grandfathered Exceptions Any site licensed prior to September 23, 1983 that is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter listed below shall be deemed acceptable if, in the judgment of the Board, the community is operated in a safe and sanitary manner. A repair, replacement or installation may perpetuate a nonconformity, but may not exacerbate it safety or welfare of the community. 10. Grandfathered Exceptions Any site licensed prior to September 23, 1983 that is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter listed below shall be deemed acceptable if, in the judgment of the Board, the community is operated in a safe and sanitary manner. A repair, replacement or installation may perpetuate a nonconformity, but may not exacerbate it. - Section 1 (Minimum Lot Size) - Section 6(3) (Life and Fire Safety; Firebreaks) - Section 7(1) (Streets; Construction Standards) - Section 7(2) (Streets; Setback) ## Nearby sections - [385 Ch. 110 Ch. 110: State Certification of Modular Homes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_110.md) - [385 Ch. 320 Ch. 320: Licensing - Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_320.md) - [385 Ch. 350 Ch. 350: Licensing - Scope of Practice Obligations of Licensees Prohibited Practices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_350.md) - [385 Ch. 380 Ch. 380: Licensing - Adoption of Codes and Standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_380.md) - [385 Ch. 381 Ch. 381: Home Installation Warranty Seal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_381.md) - [385 Ch. 820 Ch. 820: Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_820.md) - [385 Ch. 830 Ch. 830: Licensure of Manufactured Housing Communities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_830.md) - [385 Ch. 840 Ch. 840: Rules Relating to Drinking Water Systems or Manufactured Housing Communities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_840.md) - [385 Ch. 850 Ch. 850: Community Licensing - Standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_850.md) - [385 Ch. 860 Ch. 860: Inspections and Complaints](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_860.md) - [385 Ch. 890 Ch. 890: Manufactured Home Installation Standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_890.md) - [385 Ch. 900 Ch. 900: Used Standard - Installation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_900.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_00_385_850. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.