Opinion ID: 2257670
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Expiration of the Building Permit

Text: [¶ 7] Pursuant to the Rangeley building code, a building permit expires if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of six months. The Petersons concede that there were periods of more than six months during which work was suspended, but argue that that does not result in the expiration of the permit because the or in the phrase suspended or abandoned should mean to wit. Accordingly, they contend, what the language actually means is that the permit expires only if the work authorized by the permit has been abandoned for a period of six months. We disagree. [¶ 8] The meaning of terms or expressions in a zoning ordinance is a question of law for the court. George D. Ballard, Builder, Inc. v. City of Westbrook, 502 A.2d 476, 480 (Me.1985). The contested language must be construed reasonably and with regard to both the ordinance's specific object and its general structure. Ray v. Town of Camden, 533 A.2d 912, 914 (Me.1987). Each undefined term is given its common and generally accepted meaning unless the context of the statute clearly indicates otherwise. George D. Ballard, Builder, Inc., 502 A.2d at 480. [¶ 9] The trial court correctly concluded that or in the Rangeley ordinance in fact means or, and not to wit. The common and generally accepted meaning of suspended or abandoned contemplates both suspension and abandonment of work as independent grounds for expiration of a building permit. See Ballard, 502 A.2d at 480. Although the Petersons characterize this construction of the statute as draconian in light of Maine's climate that may often force a six-month cessation of work, we are bound by the statutory language that plainly leads to the construction given it by the trial court. The court correctly concluded that the Petersons' building permit had expired.