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1. When is a Building Permit Required?

A permit is required:

• Prior to any construction
• The location of any new structure upon any land in the Town
• For modifications to an existing structure which require inspections by applicable code
• If the assessed value of the property or structure is affected

Some small maintenance and repair work on an existing structure may not require a building permit. Please call the office for clarification.

2. How long does it take to have a building permit issued?

Once a completed building permit application is submitted, which includes all requested information, it will be processed within 30 days or less. The property owner or contractor will be contacted by phone informing them that the building permit has been approved, the fee that is due, and can be picked up in the Land Use Office.

Applications to receive an E911 street number address are accessed through the Highway Department through an Application for the Construction of Driveways.

3. How do I schedule an inspection for my project?

Inspections are scheduled Monday through Thursday, starting after 10 am. You or your designee will need to call the office to request an inspection, at 603-476-2347. This can be done weekdays between the hours of 7:30 and 10 am. If at all possible, please schedule your inspection 24 hours in advance. If time allows, the inspection will be scheduled the same day. Requests for inspections made after 9 am will generally be scheduled for the next business day.

You will be asked: 1) Street address of the project, 2) the type of inspection needed, 3) and the contact person's name, 4) and telephone number.

Inspection times will depend on the schedule for that day and specific times can't be guaranteed. If needed, the Code and Compliance Officer will try to call the contact person with an approximate time. If an inspection is done without anyone being present, the Code and Compliance Officer will leave a yellow inspection sticker to indicate the inspection passed. If there are deficiencies in the work inspected, the contact person will be notified.

4. Are licenses required in the State of New Hampshire?

At present there are four licenses required in building a home, Electrical, Plumbing, Septic and Mechanical (Gas). There are exceptions to some of these requirements for the homeowner only. If you call the office we will be happy to explain this further

5. Do I need a demolition permit and what are the requirements?

You need a Demolition Permit when:

• Any primary structures will be razed or removed from a lot
• Any Accessory structures that have utility or mechanical systems, hazardous materials or a basement type foundation will be razed or removed from a lot
• An addition renovation to a building requires a substantial amount of demolition

You do not need a Demolition Permit when:

• Minor accessory structures such as sheds and small garages that do not contain utilities with separate connections or basement-type foundations are removed
• Decks, porches and other similar appurtenances to structures are removed, where the intent is to remove and rebuild
• Interior demolition to structures occurs where the intent is to change or renovate

Requirements before a Demolition Permit is issued:

• A completed Demolition Permit application; this application form is in addition to a Building Permit application for any new construction. The fee for a Demolition Permit is $30.
• For Demolition permits disturbing more than 2,500 square feet, a grading plan must be submitted and approved. See separate handout for Grading Plan Requirements.
• Proof that utilities have been cut off as per the requirements of building code and Utility Companies must be submitted.
• A successfully completed and inspected Plumbing Permit for Septic or Sewer Cap-off (this is a separate permit application)
• At the discretion of the Code and Compliance Officer (CCO) for good cause, a Cash Demolition Escrow Bond of $1 per square foot of the footprint of the building to be demolished may be required (minimum of $500) to ensure a safe, sanitary and secure completion of the demolition work. The bond will be refunded when the demolition is complete and the CCO certifies the site is safe and sanitary. Bond refunds must be requested in writing from the Code and Compliance Officer, Land Use Office.

Demolition Grading Plan Requirements:

All grading plans submitted for review should include (but is not limited to) the following items:

• Property address and legal description
• Existing topographic and boundary information
• Basements/foundation locations to be removed/filled
• Proposed contours and elevations
• Limits of clearing and grading
• Erosion and sediment control measures
• Other notes or items deemed necessary for demolition

Important Note: Demolition of a structure that is non-conforming per the Zoning Code (for instance, one that currently is located less than 50 feet from the lake) may result in the new structure being required to fully comply with the current Zoning Ordinance.

6. How long is a building permit good for?

A building permit is good for the length of the project, as long as it does not sit idle for more than six months at a time. As long as work is progressing on the project with inspections being done at regular intervals (not exceeding six months) the permit will remain good.

7. When will my permit be ready?

For some of the smaller projects, we may tell you when you drop it off that it may be picked up the next day. Larger projects may take up to five days to review and we will call you with the fee amount and when to pick it up. As the Code Enforcement Officer is the only person authorized to sign permits they will need to be picked up when he is in the office. Office Hours: 7:30 to 10 am on weekdays.

8. Do signs require permits?

Yes, most signs require a permit that is approved by the Code Enforcement Officer. Please call the Code Officer to find out if you need one or if you're exempt.