Plain-English answers to common homeowner questions, taken from Auburn's published ordinances, with every rule linked to the section it comes from.
Last reviewed
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Yes. Auburn allows one accessory dwelling unit of 190 to 1,500 square feet, inside, attached to or detached from a single-family home, in its residential districts, with a building permit. ADUs aren't allowed in the Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay where it lies over the Agriculture & Resource Protection district.Allowed with a permit
Backyard Chickens Yes. Auburn's zoning code counts laying hens kept as pets as "household pets," housed at night in your home or an accessory building such as a coop, as long as they don't create a nuisance like noise or odors noticeable off your property. We couldn't review the city's animals chapter or district rules, so we can't tell you about hen limits, roosters or coop setbacks.Allowed
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb / VRBO) Auburn has no Airbnb/VRBO ordinance or registration, but its zoning code says a dwelling unit available for rent for periods of less than one week is treated as a boarding/lodging unit, not an ordinary home. Rentals of a week or longer aren't affected by that rule. We couldn't review which districts allow boarding/lodging uses, so check with the city before you list.Restricted
Sheds & Accessory Buildings Yes, a shed is allowed with a building permit ($25 plus $0.10 per square foot). A shed of 120 sq ft or less and 10 ft or less tall can go right up to the side and rear lot lines. Larger ones need half the house's side and rear setbacks, at least 5 feet. No shed can be in the front yard setback.Allowed with a permit
Burn Permits & Backyard Fires Yes, with a free burn permit from the Auburn Fire Department or the state's online system. You can burn clean brush, deadwood and tree cuttings from your own yard at least 50 feet from buildings and 25 feet from roads, but not leaves or trash. The city's 2013 guidelines say fire pits need no permit, but state rules since October 2023 require one for any fire larger than 3 x 3 feet.Allowed with a permit
Home-Based Businesses Yes. Auburn permits home occupations in all residential districts with a $60 home occupation permit, as long as the business is run by someone living in the home and has at most one outside employee. The business can't operate from a detached garage or shed. Detailed rules on signs, customers and parking are in a part of the code we couldn't review.Allowed with a permit
Swimming Pools Yes, with a $50 building permit (electrical inspection included) for above-ground or in-ground pools. Auburn's code lists swimming pools (250 sq ft or more) as accessory buildings, so they likely follow the accessory-building rules: at least 5 feet from the house, side and rear setbacks of half your district's house setbacks (at least 5 feet), and out of the front yard setback. Confirm with Code staff.Allowed with a permit
Building Near the Water (Shoreland Zoning) This page covers only the Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay and flood-zone permits. Near Lake Auburn, new or expanded buildings must be at least 100 feet from the normal high-water mark, and septic, fertilizer, pesticide and tree-cutting rules apply; in flood zones you need a city flood hazard development permit. We couldn't review Auburn's shoreland rules for other waters such as the Androscoggin River or Taylor Pond, so check with the Planning office.Restricted
Docks, Piers & Floats This page covers only Lake Auburn. There, a private dock is allowed within the 100-foot shoreline setback because it needs direct water access, but boathouses, sheds and marinas aren't. We couldn't review Auburn's dock or shoreland rules for the Androscoggin River, Taylor Pond or other waters, so check with the Planning office; a permanent dock usually also needs a state DEP permit.Restricted
We couldn't download Auburn's ordinance text for the other 1 topics yet, so we don't cover them rather than guess.