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:

LD 629

City of Rockland, Maine website. Chapter 4. Article II Fire Prevention and Safety, Page 4

Top ADU Design Trends for 2023

Well, let’s face it. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) are becoming a trend in themselves; not to mention, the overall desire for smaller homes. The housing crisis, driven by continued high monthly rental costs and high prices of already existing homes, has people looking for other options and ADUs seem to be one great solution.

With the new year in full swing, Backyard ADUs decided to take a look at some of the trends that we think you will see when it comes to ADUs going forward in 2023. Here are our top 8 when considering planning, design, construction and everything in between.

1. Lower Interest Rates

According to Mortgage Brokers Association forecast for the year, “Although short-term rates will continue to increase, …long-term rates have already peaked. We expect that 30-year mortgage rates will end 2023 at 5.2%.”

With that prediction they will be down ~1.2% from where we ended 2022 and almost 2% from when they peaked back in October at 7.16%.

So while there are a lot of factors involved with cost when building, we are excited to start to seeing one of them moving in the right direction.

2. Multigenerational Living

While we have seen this trend increase for the past couple years, this will definitely continue throughout 2023 and we are a huge fan due to it’s dramatic level of benefits.

Grandparents all over the country are building in their children’s backyards. Whether it’s due to the passing of a spouse, downsizing from a home that’s too large or needing more care while maintaining independence, this seems to be a win win for everyone involved. Rather than investing in a retirement/senior living facility, the investment goes towards increasing the value of a property while keeping a family member close and in their own home-style environment. Grandparents are also getting to raise their grandchildren, saving on childcare costs for homeowners and allowing family to spend more time together, in addition to everyone saving on maintenance costs by sharing the property.

Above: A homeowner’s mom moved into this L-Line home in her daughter’s yard, allowing her to spend more time with her grandchild.

3. Buying Property to Share

Another model that is increasing in popularity is family members, or even good friends, investing in land together. That land is then used to build two or more separate homes on, lowering cost for those who may find standalone properties a better option or who don’t already own a home to build behind.

Above: Siblings in Williamstown bought land together, cutting cost, and then each built their own single-family home on the property.

4. DIY Shells

While Backyard ADUs can build your home from start to finish, a new trend is purchasing one of our DIY shells and doing the work yourself. Dramatically more cost-efficient, this option can suddenly make building a home possible for some families when it otherwise wouldn’t be.

The name may have you imagining a giant delivery showing up with a million pieces to try and put together like Ikea furniture or just an exterior empty box, but it actually arrives much more ready than you may think. Don’t worry about electrical, plumbing, cabinets, putting up walls or insulation. Instead, all the tricky steps have been done for you and it’s ready for you to add finishing touches like flooring and paint.

We are excited to be working on new ways to support you in the process with soon-to-be released videos for those DIY projects and providing support calls when you get stuck.

Above: One half of a two box shell, already installed with cabinets, plumbing, wiring, and windows.

5. Energy Efficient Homes

The trend towards energy efficiency has been around and is not going anywhere. An incentive-based program offered by MassSave in 2022 is leading the way for more energy-efficient homes and is driving code changes that will set these new targets as a baseline in the next few years.

In our first year building, to meet these strict energy goals, we were able to complete 7 homes that qualified for a $15k rebate! Even though this program is only offered in Massachusetts, we are continuing this trend by implementing building practices in the factory and on-site that ensure our homes meet and exceed energy requirements across Massachusetts and Maine.

Not only does this practice positively impact the environment but it also impacts homeowner savings. All of our homes are built Net Zero ready which gives the potential for homeowners to reduce the cost of running their home to less than $700 per year, including heating and cooling!

Above: This Greenfield home qualified for a rebate through Mass Save after receiving a 1.4 ACH50 infiltration rate on the blow door test.

6. Mono Pitched Roofs

If you have been following us on social media you may have noticed the new design trend that our clients have fallen in love with.

Mono pitched (a.k.a. mono plane) roofs not only add a modern feel to any home but they also have practical use. They are often more cost effective and allow for the illusion of a lot more space, which is a huge deal when it comes to a small home. They even provide the opportunity for vaulted ceilings!

One of our favorite benefits is, if you are aiming for net-zero, this style gives plenty of roof area for solar panel installation when facing in the right direction of the sun.

Above: Mono pitched roof home recently built in Williamstown, MA.

7. Wellness Spaces

People are looking for areas in their homes that make them feel good. We don’t just mean home gyms or yoga rooms, as we know that in a small home space is limited. While those things may find a nook in the homes we build, we are instead seeing more things such as natural light, blurring indoor and outdoor space lines, and fresh air being important. People are also prioritizing space for things they love and that which just makes them “feel good”.

We are also noticing people adding more plants to their space and creating useful outdoor spaces that have as much purpose as the ones indoors.

Above: Creating a heart of one grandmother’s home, this kitchen has all the wellness features she hoped for; lots of cooking space with seating to include her grandkids, tons of natural light, large windows that open for plenty of fresh air in the summer months, and a spot to start her plants indoors .

8. Being Bold

White subway tile, plain wooden cabinets and beige walls may always be around, homeowners are now taking more risk when it comes to incorporating bold interior features and colors. Clients are showcasing their personalities in everything from unexpected wall colors, to tuxedo cabinets, and funky light fixtures.

Above: We fell in love with our client Libby’s bold choices throughout her small home, including her blue countertops, unique backsplash, sea foam wall paint and live-edge open shelving pictured here.

Above: Bold paint and cabinet colors in a Portland home.

Do all of these trends have you wondering how you can start the process in building your own small home or ADU? The first step is in ordering a feasibility study to see what’s possible. Head HERE to get started today or CONTACT US if you have specific questions. We would love to hear from you!

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Sources: Fratantoni, Mike, and Joel Kan. “MBA Mortgage Finance ForecastMike.” MBA Forecast Commentary: December 2022, Mortgage Bankers Association, Dec. 2022, https://www.mba.org/docs/default-source/research-and-forecasts/forecasts/mortgage-finance-forecast-dec-2022.pdf?sfvrsn=b584bf7_1.

“United States MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate.” Investing.com, Mortgage Brokers Association, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/mba-30-year-mortgage-rate-1042.