Maine laws by category

Consumer fireworks are legal in Maine, but you must be 21 or older to buy, possess or use them. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

No permit is needed in Maine to carry a concealed handgun if you are 21 or older and not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm, residents and visitors alike (25 M.R.S. 2001-A, added by Public Law 2015, chapter 327). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Maine is a spirits "control" state: BABLO is the sole spirits importer, and spirits are sold through state-contracted agency liquor stores — private retailers acting as agents, including many grocery stores. Beer and wine are sold privately in grocery and convenience stores.

Radar detectors are legal in private passenger vehicles in Maine — Maine's vehicle-equipment and operation chapters (29-A M.R.S. chapters 17 and 19) have no ban on them. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

In Maine, you need a permit from the town forest fire warden or a forest ranger to burn outdoors, including leaves, brush, deadwood and tree cuttings from your own property, and only where no state rule or town ordinance bans it (12 M.R.S. §9324, §9325). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

In Maine, you need a freshwater fishing license from age 16. Licenses are issued by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW).

5.5% general sales and use tax statewide (Maine Revenue Services rate schedule). Higher special rates apply: prepared food 8%, lodging 9%, short-term auto rental 10%, adult-use cannabis 10%.

In Maine, during open firearm deer season, hunters must wear two articles of hunter orange visible from all sides: a solid-orange hat plus a torso garment at least 50% orange.

Maine sports betting is legal, online/mobile run exclusively by Maine's four Wabanaki tribes via commercial partners; minimum age 21. Online/mobile launched Nov 2023; up to 4 mobile and 10 retail licenses. Regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.

A person born on or after Jan 1, 1999 may not operate a recreational motorboat over 25 hp in Maine unless age 12+ and holding a boater safety and education course certificate.

Maine repealed its dangerous-knives law (17-A 1055) in 2015, and the state weapons chapter (17-A chapter 43) no longer lists switchblades or automatic knives. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Maine has no criminal statute barring a private person's drone surveillance; Title 25 4501 governs only law-enforcement UAV use (warrant required).