Canaan, Maine
Monday, July 13, 2026 at 6pm - Select Board Meeting will be held at the Fire Department. See full schedule.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 6:00pm - Planning Board Meeting at Canaan Town Office.
Fire Department is actively seeking volunteers.
RECYCLING OPEN July 16th & July 18th, August 1st from 8am-2pm. Things that are being accepted right now are CARDBOARD, MIXED PAPER, and #2 Plastic. Bulky Waste is now being accepted. Please pay the fees at the Town Office.
Permits
Intent to Build Notice
If you are adding on to your existing home, building a deck, adding a shed etc...to your property, please complete an Intent to Build Form. You may print one off, complete and turn into the Town Office OR stop into the office to complete one. There is no fee.
Plumbing Permits
Interior Plumbing Permits: please provide 3 signed copies at the time of submitting applications to the Town Office for Code Enforcement/Plumbing Inspector Charlie Worcester’s approval.
Note: fees are indicated on the application as $10.00 per fixture
Click here for a copy of the plumbing application.
Please provide 3 signed copies at the time of submitting applications to the Town Office for Code Enforcement/Plumbing Inspector Charlie Worcester’s approval along with the required fees:
Septic System Design Permits
The Town Office may have septic designs on file. We would need your property's Map and Lot # in order located the design in our files. If the Town does not have a copy, you can check the State website.
- For a New Septic System, you or your contractor will need to complete an HHE-200 form which can be obtained on the State website:
Municipal Office Resources | Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Please provide 3 signed copies at the time of submitting applications to the Town Office for Code Enforcement/Plumbing Inspector Charlie Worcester’s approval along with the required fees:
New System = $265.00
Replacement System or Replacement Failure System = $250.00
Replacement System Using Existing Tank = $150.00
Replacement Tank = $150.00
Replacement System Variance = $270
Click here for a list of local site evaluators.
TOWN POLICIES
The following policies are currently active until Select Board revises or amends them.
Annual Town Reports
Vital Records Requests
The Town of Canaan now offers online requests for Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates. If you are in need of one of these records and are unable to come into the office, click here and select Canaan in the Issuing Municipality drop-down menu. We will receive a notification of your request, and will process accordingly. If you have any questions, contact us at the town office.
If you are doing historical research please submit this application either by email, mail or fax
Basic Fees
- Credit/Debit Card Merchant Fee – 2.5% of total amount due (minimum of $1)
- Fax function is temporarily out of service! OUTGOING/INCOMING FAX - $1.00 1ST PAGE, 25 cents for each additional page
- Photocopies - .25 cents per page
- Notary Fees - $1 per signature
- Full Set of Tax Maps (paper) $20
- Commitment Book $20
- Tax Cards $1 per page
- Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates $15, $6 for each additional copy, same day
- Marriage License $40
- Dog Licenses $6 altered dog - $11 non-altered
- Rent the Fire Station $150- click here for Use of Facility application
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
The Canaan Town Office is an agent for the State of Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department and may issue hunting and fishing licenses.
The Town Office does not issue duck stamps. Those must be purchased through the US Postal Service.
If you are purchasing a hunting license you must show proof of having previously held an adult hunting license to hunt with firearms in any year beginning with1976 or successful completion of an approved hunter safety course from this or any other state.
You may also purchase your license by utilizing the State of Maine's online services.
Click Here for Online Hunting/Fishing Licenses.
Boat Registrations
Boat registrations are subject to excise tax. The amount of the tax is based on the length of the boat, the age of the boat, and the horsepower of the motor. The registration fee is based on the horsepower of the motor. An agent fee of $1.00 is also collected. Boat excise tax must be paid in the owner's town of residence regardless of where the boat is docked. Boat registrations expire December 31 each year. Dories & Canoes 20’ and under without a motor are excise exempt – but still must be registered with State of Maine Boat sticker/milfoil.
Vehicle & Trailer Registration
- Residents of the Town of Canaan may register their vehicle or trailer at the Town Office during regular business hours
M, T, Th 7am - 5pm W 8am - 6pm
OR Online Re-Registrations at: https://www1.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal/
- DO YOU WANT TO KEEP THE SAME # THAT IS ON YOUR CHICKADEE PLATE? (additional fees apply)
TO RESERVE YOUR # IN THE NEW TREE/STAR OR NO TREE STYLE PLEASE VISIT Rapid Renewal | Plate Reservation Portal
Register Your Vehicle or Trailer
If you would like a reminder to register your vehicles, you may sign up for email reminders by emailing us your request or by completing a sign-up sheet at the town office. You will receive an email approximately fifteen days prior to when your registration expires. The email will tell you how much it will cost to re-register your car.
Recreational Vehicle Registration
Residents of Canaan may register their recreational vehicle at the Town Office and online.
Residency Requirements: No person may be considered a resident of the State of Maine (as it relates to obtaining a resident vehicle registration) if the person has not:
· If registered to vote, registered in the State of Maine
· If licensed to drive, made application for a Maine drivers license;
· If owning a vehicle located within the state, registered vehicles in Maine
· Complied with State Income Tax laws and
· If a full time student, at a Maine college for 3 months AND satisfies above requirements.
Dog Licenses
2026 DOG TAGS AVAILABLE NOW
As required by Maine State law, every dog over 6 months of age shall be licensed by its owner in the Town/City where the dog resides within 10 days of ownership. Licenses are valid until December 31st of each year. Please bring a certificate of spay/neutering (if applicable), and a current rabies certificate. The fee for spayed/neutered dogs is $6.00 per year, and for unaltered dogs the fee is $11.00 per year.
Dog licenses can be purchased at the Town Office during regular office hours, by telephone with a credit card OR online!
Marriage Licenses by Appointment
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN MAINE
Information you will need prior to scheduling your Marriage License appointment (plan 1/2 hr):
- Valid picture ID – Maine Driver’s License/ID card or Passport
- Court Certified Divorce Decree of most recent divorce for each applicant (must have raised seal of originating court)
- If previous spouse is deceased, a copy of the death certificate
- Proof of Canaan residency (if not on driver’s license)
- Must be at least 18 years of age (if underage, call the Clerk's Office at 474-8682)