How much does a building permit cost in Town of Bedford, NH?

The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: $0.23 per square foot (residential building permit). Plan check fee: Not specified separately on public pages; contact Building Department..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Bedford, NH?

1. Obtain application from Building Department or online. 2. Gather required documents per project type. 3. Submit application with all documents to Building Department. 4. Department reviews; most residential projects do not require sealed structural plans if they meet prescriptive code requirements. 5. Pay required fees. 6. Permit issued; post on job site. 7. Schedule inspections via inspection voicemail at (603) 472-4567 with 24-hour minimum notice. 8. Final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Bedford, NH?

Typical processing time is State law requires action within 30 days (residential) / 60 days (commercial)..

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Bedford, NH?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspection voicemail (603) 472-4567. Messages left during business hours (Mon-Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm) scheduled for next business day; messages left outside business hours scheduled for second business day..

City Building Permits

Town of Bedford, NH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Bedford, New Hampshire. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

New Hampshire Hillsborough County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Town of Bedford; enforces NH State Building Code and local zoning within town limits.

Department: Building Code Department (part of Town of Bedford Safety Department)
Address: 55 Constitution Drive, Bedford, NH 03110
Phone: (603) 472-3838
Email: safety@bedfordnh.org
Website: https://www.bedfordnh.gov/202/Obtaining-a-Building-Permit

Online Permit Portal

Open Bedford Online Permitting System

Platform: Online Permitting System (platform not specified) • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Obtain application from Building Department or online.
Gather required documents per project type.
Submit application with all documents to Building Department.
Department reviews; most residential projects do not require sealed structural plans if they meet prescriptive code requirements.
Pay required fees.
Permit issued; post on job site.
Schedule inspections via inspection voicemail at (603) 472-4567 with 24-hour minimum notice.
Final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

Typical processing time: State law requires action within 30 days (residential) / 60 days (commercial).

Source: Building Code Department (part of Town of Bedford Safety Department)

General Requirements

Permit required for new construction, additions, alterations, decks, sheds, garages, pools, and other structures. Contact department for full list.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Plot plan (varies by project type)
Framing plans
Floor plans with room usage (for additions)
Energy code forms (for additions with added heated/cooled space)
Pool shell specs and heater fuel source (for swimming pools)
Septic system location (for swimming pools)

Permit validity: Not specified on public pages; contact Building Code Department at (603) 472-3838.
Building code: 2021 NH State Building Code suite (IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IECC, NEC) as adopted statewide per HB 1681, effective December 31, 2024.
Owner-builder: Not specified on public pages; contact Building Code Department.
Contractor requirements: NH state licenses required for plumbing, electrical, and gas work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50.00
Plan check fee: Not specified separately on public pages; contact Building Department.
Permit fee formula: $0.23 per square foot (residential building permit)
Reinspection fee: 48-hour minimum delay required before scheduling reinspection after a failed inspection.
Payment note: Contact Building Department at (603) 472-3838

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Code Department (part of Town of Bedford Safety Department) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection voicemail (603) 472-4567 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Messages left during business hours (Mon-Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm) scheduled for next business day; messages left outside business hours scheduled for second business day.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Typical inspection sequence: Per project; contact department for sequence. Maximum 15 inspections per inspector daily. No inspections scheduled on the second Wednesday of each month (staff training).

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 NH State Building Code suite (IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IECC, NEC) as adopted statewide per HB 1681, effective December 31, 2024.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Permit Applications and Forms
License lookup guide: New Hampshire Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: New Hampshire Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
New Hampshire hub: New Hampshire Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Code Department (part of Town of Bedford Safety Department) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Bedford Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Bedford, NH?: Permit required for new construction, additions, alterations, decks, sheds, garages, pools, and other structures. Contact department for full list.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Bedford, NH?: The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: $0.23 per square foot (residential building permit). Plan check fee: Not specified separately on public pages; contact Building Department..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Bedford, NH?: 1. Obtain application from Building Department or online. 2. Gather required documents per project type. 3. Submit application with all documents to Building Department. 4. Department reviews; most residential projects do not require sealed structural plans if they meet prescriptive code requirements. 5. Pay required fees. 6. Permit issued; post on job site. 7. Schedule inspections via inspection voicemail at (603) 472-4567 with 24-hour minimum notice. 8. Final inspection and certificate of occupancy.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Bedford, NH?: Typical processing time is State law requires action within 30 days (residential) / 60 days (commercial)..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Bedford, NH?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspection voicemail (603) 472-4567. Messages left during business hours (Mon-Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm) scheduled for next business day; messages left outside business hours scheduled for second business day..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.