Manchester, NH — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Planning and Community Development Department - Building Division

Street address

One City Hall Plaza, West Wing, Manchester, NH 03101

Phone

(603) 624-6450

PCD@ManchesterNH.gov

Coverage

City of Manchester; enforces local building code and all adopted state codes within city limits.

Online portal

Manchester Permit Applications (Accela)

Accela Citizen Access

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Manchester

Permit required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, change of occupancy, installation of mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems. Manchester deleted certain standard IRC R105.2 exemptions, making more work subject to permits than the base code allows.

Note: Manchester deleted standard IRC Section R105.2 exemptions from its local building code, meaning fewer categories are exempt than under the base IRC. Work that would normally be exempt under the 2021 IRC may still require a permit in Manchester. Contact PCD for the current exempt work list specific to Manchester's local amendments.

Required documents

Completed application
Dimensioned construction plans
Site plan
Energy code compliance documentation
Additional documents based on project type (e.g., structural calculations, septic approvals, driveway permits)

Building code: Effective July 1, 2024: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC (gas piping per NFPA 54), 2021 IPC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 ISPS, 2018 IECC, 2020 NEC (NFPA 70); with State and local amendments.
Permit validity: NH general practice is 12 months from issuance with possible renewal; contact PCD for Manchester-specific policy.
Owner-builder: Not specified on public-facing pages; contact PCD for owner-builder provisions.
Contractor requirements: NH state licenses required for plumbing, electrical, and gas work. General contractors do not require a state license.

Source: Planning and Community Development Department - Building Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

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

01

Obtain application online or request by mail/phone from PCD.
02

Complete application with all required project information and plans.
03

Submit application and plans online through the Accela portal or in person at One City Hall Plaza West Wing.
04

PCD reviews for compliance with adopted codes and zoning; state law requires action within 30 days for residential, 60 days for commercial.
05

Pay permit fees upon approval.
06

Pick up or receive permit; post on job site.
07

Schedule required inspections at each stage of construction.
08

Obtain final Certificate of Compliance upon successful final inspection.

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

Source: Planning and Community Development Department - Building Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Manchester building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$25 non-refundable processing fee per application; see fee schedule PDF for permit-specific minimums

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee structure; see fee schedule PDF

Permit fee formula

Fee schedule based on project type and valuation; see fee schedule PDF

Reinspection fee

Contact PCD for current reinspection fee

Payments accepted online and in person; contact PCD at (603) 624-6450 or PCD@ManchesterNH.gov

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(603) 624-6450 (phone)
Accela portal (may be available) (online)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, standard city business hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, insulation, final.

Source: Planning and Community Development Department - Building Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Manchester permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Manchester, NH? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Manchester, NH? ▸

Building permit fees in Manchester, NH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 non-refundable processing fee per application; see fee schedule PDF for permit-specific minimums. Fees are calculated as: Fee schedule based on project type and valuation; see fee schedule PDF. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee structure; see fee schedule PDF.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Manchester, NH? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Manchester, NH, follow these steps: 1. Obtain application online or request by mail/phone from PCD. 2. Complete application with all required project information and plans. 3. Submit application and plans online through the Accela portal or in person at One City Hall Plaza West Wing. 4. PCD reviews for compliance with adopted codes and zoning; state law requires action within 30 days for residential, 60 days for commercial. 5. Pay permit fees upon approval. 6. Pick up or receive permit; post on job site. 7. Schedule required inspections at each stage of construction. 8. Obtain final Certificate of Compliance upon successful final inspection.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Manchester, NH? ▸

Building permit processing times in Manchester, NH typically run State law requires review within 30 days (residential) / 60 days (commercial).. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Manchester, NH? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Manchester, NH via: (603) 624-6450, Accela portal (may be available).

last verified April 2026 source Planning and Community Development Department - Building Division ↗ entry id permits/new-hampshire/hillsborough/manchester

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning and Community Development Department - Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Manchester

Other jurisdictions in Hillsborough County.