An Act To Reduce Housing Costs By Not Requiring Fire Sprinkler Systems For Single-Family Homes And Duplexes

LD 659 prohibits Maine municipalities from requiring fire sprinkler systems in new single-family homes and duplexes under building codes. It amends state law (10 MRSA §9724, sub-§8) to prevent local enforcement of such requirements in the Maine Uniform Building Code or related codes. This change would reduce construction costs for these housing types by removing a mandatory safety feature. Homeowners and builders of single-family homes and duplexes would be directly affected by this policy.