DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you find out if a person can have three to four boarders in a two-bedroom apartment? Also, how about selling things out of a home? — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots started by speaking with Carla Harris, the manager of resident services for the Lewiston Housing Authority, who said you should talk to the landlord, as the lease probably puts a limit on who and how many people can live in the apartment.

Carla then referred Sun Spots to the Lewiston’s office of code and planning, where she spoke to David Hediger, deputy director of planning and code enforcement. He said there are rules about how many people can live in a dwelling, but they are not cut and dried. Occupancy can depend on many things, such as how the rooms are used; for example, a dining room used for a sleeping room. The only way to determine if occupancy is being exceeded is with an inspection.

As for selling stuff out of the apartment, that is probably breaking the rules, but again, an inspection is called for. Residents can work out of their homes doing some tasks, such as an Internet business, but there can be no customers coming and going or stock in trade on the premises. Also, anyone wanting to have a home-based business needs to get a home occupation permit, which limits the uses. For example, only those people who live in the home can work in the business, no alterations may be made to the outside of the building and there can be no stock in trade.

David recommends that you call his office at 513-3125 so that a code enforcement officer can do an inspection and ascertain if any violations are taking place.

While researching this Sun Spots also learned that you need a license to have a yard sale, so sellers take note.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you please see if you can find a catalog in Vermont? They sell oilcloth by the yard, and it lasts for years. It comes in different colors and checkerboard designs. Thank you. — Barbara Titcomb, Farmington

ANSWER: You may be talking about the Vermont Country Store, which sells oilcloth by the yard for $18.80, as well as oilcloth tablecloths and appliance covers. Visit them at www.vermontcountrystore.com or call 1-802-362-8460. The Vermont Country Store sells a lot of old-fashioned and unusual items, and Sun Spots has been impressed with the quality.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Those who do needlework or painting may like to know that I am donating my collection of picture frames of various sizes to the Harvest Fair, which will be held on Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Dominic’s Regional High School, 121 Gracelawn Road, in Auburn. — No Name, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you so much with your help in obtaining display cases for the What Not Shop
at Hope Association in Rumford. We would like to thank those very generous people who responded to our request. — Andra, What Not Shop

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Home Made for the Holidays, the Rumford United Methodist Church’s fall fair, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year, thanks to Sun Spots, we met some wonderful people who donated much to our Krafters Korner. We would again welcome fabrics, yarn, crochet cotton, patterns, all craft supplies and books and tools, anything of that nature. Besides the Korner, we will have a hospitality table, baked goods, a craft table, silent auction, vintage jewelry and a luncheon. If you have anything to donate, please call Mary Pulsifer at 562-7050 or Peggy Welch at 364-2617. — Peggy Welch, Rumford

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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