Building & Code Enforcement

This office is responsible for review and issuance of all building and construction related permits, septic system permits, inspections, code enforcement, health & zoning violations and maintenance of records for all buildings and zoning within the town. Building permits and inspections are required for most construction and development within the town, such as remodels, additions, sheds and roofing. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions or to clarify any procedural matters. Inspections are conducted Monday – Friday, 10:00am - 3pm. All requests for mechanical inspections are made by calling Deputy Fire Chief Roy Olsen at 603-673-1545 x302.

Please be advised that effective immediately, all permits for gas piping, fuel tanks, fuel burning equipment (fireplaces, furnaces etc.) must be applied for in-person at Town Hall.

ACCESS TO ONLINE PERMITTING IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED WHILE WE TRANSITION  SOFTWARETHANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE PERMIT APPLICATIONS

All permit applications should be submitted to Kristen Lambros, [email protected] either by email or in-person at Town Hall. All permits must be accompanied by payment in full at time of submission.

• 2025 Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical Permit
• 2025 Building Permit
• Permits are required in the Town of Amherst for all new construction, additions, remodels, sheds, decks, porches, new and replacement septic systems, swimming pools, signs, roofing and most other improvements.
• Building permit applications are processed as quickly as possible, however, many factors play a role in the length of time a permit application takes. Accuracy and completeness of information have a major effect on application review time, as well as the fluctuations in the seasonal workload.  Permit applications with incomplete or missing information only delay an approval process. Good project planning is the best way to assure your permit will be ready when you are.  Permit applications are available anytime so there are no restrictions against applying for a permit months in advance of your project. All permit fees must be paid prior to the Building Official reviewing or approving a permit.
• Per NH law, RSA 676:13, the Building Official has 30 days for completed residential applications or 60 days for completed commercial applications to either approve or deny any permit application. No work can begin without an approved building permit.

INSPECTIONS

All Inspections for Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Pools and Mechanical other than fuel fired need to be scheduled with Kristen at 603-673-6041 Ext 206 or by email at [email protected].

DEMOLITION

All projects that have demolition require hazardous material testing required by the State of New Hampshire testing results will need to be provided before a permit is issued. More info can be found HERE.

Click HERE for other Planning and Zoning related forms, permits and for our fee information

You can also refer to the Town of Amherst's Building Ordinance for administrative and code requirements or view the NH State Building Codes here.

On August 2, 2024, Governor Sununu signed into law House Bill 1059, which updated the NH State Building Code (RSA 155-A) to the 2021 editions with NH amendments. Note, the Energy Code remains the 2018 edition. The following code updates, retroactively, went into effect July 1, 2024, however, it will not be fully enforced until January 1, 2025. 

The Updated NH State Building and Fire Codes: 

• 2021 International Building Code 
• 2021 International Residential Code 
• 2021 International Plumbing Code 
• 2021 International Mechanical Code 
• 2021 International Existing Building Code 
• 2018 International Energy Conservation Code 
• 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 
• 2020 National Electrical Code, NFPA 70 2021 Fire Code, NFPA 1 2021 Life Safety Code, NFPA 101