Maine Revised Statutes Title 32. Professions and Occupations § 3402. Employees

State plumbing inspectors appointed under this section have powers throughout the several counties of the State similar to those sheriffs have in their respective counties, relating to enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. These powers are limited to the power to issue citations, the power to serve summonses, to conduct investigations and to order corrections of violations by licensees in accordance with the specific statutory authority set forth in this chapter. If any state plumbing inspector finds any plumbing installation in any building or structure which does not comply with the adopted state plumbing code that inspector shall, with the consent of the local plumbing inspector, order that the installation be removed or remedied and that order must be complied with immediately by the owner or occupant of the premises or building or the installer of the plumbing in violation. If any state plumbing inspector finds any plumbing installation in any building or structure which creates a danger to other property or to the public, the inspector may forbid use of the building or structure by serving a written order upon the owner and the occupant, if any, to vacate within a reasonable period of time to be stated in the order.

Any person ordered by a state plumbing inspector to correct a plumbing deficiency or to vacate a building or structure may, within 7 days, appeal to the Plumbers' Examining Board, which shall within a reasonable time review the order and file its decision on the appeal. The decision of the board must be complied with within the time that is fixed in the decision. If any person, firm or corporation fails or refuses to carry out any such order of any state plumbing inspector or decision of the board, a court may order appropriate relief. Any person ordered by the board to correct a plumbing deficiency or to vacate a building or structure may appeal the order to the Superior Court pursuant to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80B, by filing a petition for review within 48 hours of receipt of the order. The order by the Plumbers' Examining Board may not be stayed unless by order of the Superior Court for good cause.

Upon the failure of any person to carry out the final order, the Plumbers' Examining Board may petition the Superior Court for the county in which the premises or building is located from an injunction to enforce that order. If the court determines upon hearing the petition that a lawful final order was issued, it shall order compliance.

In addition to any other powers, state plumbing inspectors shall have the right of entry during usual business hours to inspect any and all buildings and premises in the performance of their duties. They may enter any building only with the permission of the owner, occupant or person having control of the building or pursuant to an order of court.