Rockland, Maine Lowers Housing Costs by Revising Sprinkler Requirements
In a decisive step to lower construction costs and encourage new housing development, the Rockland City Council voted 4-0 on February 10, 2025, to amend its sprinkler requirements for new one- and two-family homes. The ordinance, which will take effect in 30 days, aims to reduce financial and regulatory barriers, making homebuilding more affordable while maintaining fire safety standards.
Key Changes in the Ordinance
The amendment to Chapter 4 of Rockland, Maine’s ordinances removes the requirement for automatic sprinkler systems in certain residential buildings, provided they meet at least one of the following conditions:
The dwelling is located within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant.
The home is under 1,500 square feet.
The building meets specific fire-resistant construction standards.
These changes are intended to lower upfront construction costs and encourage more small-scale housing development, helping to address the local housing shortage.
By passing this ordinance, Rockland, Maine is taking proactive steps to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles and support the construction of much-needed housing. This measure aligns with broader city efforts to increase housing availability, encourage development, and create a more affordable and accessible living environment for residents.
With the new law set to take effect in March 2025, Rockland’s decision highlights a growing movement among municipalities to rethink building regulations in favor of practical, cost-effective housing solutions.
Balancing Fire Safety and Housing Affordability: The Data Doesn’t Support Sprinkler Requirements
Fire safety remains a priority, but Rockland’s ordinance amendment reflects a more practical and data-driven approach to regulation. In 2023, Maine recorded 29 fire-related deaths, highlighting the importance of fire prevention. However, when compared to other risks:
Falls accounted for 29 deaths in 2022.
Firearm suicides totaled 154.
COVID-19 caused 798 deaths.
While it’s true that sprinkler systems increase the likelihood of surviving a fatal fire by 97%, fatal fires are not that common—especially in new construction. Modern building codes already require fire-resistant materials, hardwired smoke detectors, and strict egress standards, significantly reducing the risk of a fatal fire compared to older homes.
The current local rules requiring sprinklers on ADUs and other small homes are a major barrier to building housing in Maine. Sprinklers can add $15k-$35k to the cost of a new Accessory Dwelling Unit or small home. Already, it’s very difficult to build an ADU that can cash flow with local rents, and expenses like sprinkler often push the budget to a level where the housing just doesn’t get built. Sprinklers are not required by state building codes on one and two unit buildings. The data shows the probability of a 1 or 2 family home burning each year is .0015%, and while smoke detectors vastly increase the safety of a home, sprinklers provide almost no reduction in fatalities. When you focus on newly constructed, all-electric, super tight homes, the chances of a fatal fire are very low.
Recognizing this reality, the Maine Legislature is now considering statewide reform through "An Act to Reduce Housing Costs by Not Requiring Fire Sprinkler Systems for Single-family Homes and Duplexes" (LD 629). This bill would prohibit municipalities from mandating sprinklers in these types of residential buildings, aligning Maine with New Hampshire and 22 other states that have rejected blanket sprinkler requirements.
Supporters argue that alternative fire safety measures and responsible building practices can effectively mitigate risk without imposing costly and unnecessary sprinkler mandates. For example, New Hampshire, which has no mandatory residential sprinkler laws, recorded only 12 fire deaths in 2023—demonstrating that rigid regulations don’t necessarily equate to better safety outcomes.
By removing this requirement for small, well-situated homes, Rockland is taking a balanced approach that prioritizes both safety and housing affordability. If LD 629 passes, the entire state could follow suit, helping to lower construction costs and increase the availability of affordable housing without compromising fire safety.
Will Maine take this next step? We will all find out soon. Stay tuned.
Resources:
City of Rockland, Maine website. Chapter 4. Article II Fire Prevention and Safety, Page 4