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City building permits

Town of Merrimack

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Building Code Enforcement and Inspectional Services Division (part of Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department)

Street address
432 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH 03054
Coverage
Town of Merrimack; handles building permits, health licenses, and code inspections.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Merrimack

Permit required for all new construction, additions, remodels, finished basements, accessory structures, and other significant work. Separate permits required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

Note: Not explicitly listed on public pages. Contact Building Code Enforcement at building@merrimacknh.gov or (603) 420-1730.

Required documents
  • Construction plans (number of sets per project type)
  • Site plan
  • Energy code compliance documentation
  • Licensed contractor credentials
Building code
NH State Building Code; effective January 1, 2025 per new fee schedule. Reference HB 1681 (2021 code suite).
Permit validity
Not specified on public pages; contact Building Code Enforcement.
Owner-builder
Not specified on public pages; contact building@merrimacknh.gov.
Contractor requirements
NH state licenses required for electrical, plumbing, and gas work.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not specified; contact Building Code Enforcement at (603) 420-1730.

  1. 01
    Owner retains designer/engineer for project as needed.
  2. 02
    Prepare construction plans and required documentation.
  3. 03
    Create account and submit application online through OpenGov portal.
  4. 04
    Submit required number of construction plans with application.
  5. 05
    Obtain all necessary permits (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) before starting construction.
  6. 06
    Pay fees; $35 non-refundable application fee due with each permit.
  7. 07
    Building Division and other applicable departments review and approve via CO Check List.
  8. 08
    Conduct inspections at required stages.
  9. 09
    Obtain Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance upon successful final inspection.

Typical processing time: Not specified; contact Building Code Enforcement at (603) 420-1730.

Source: Building Code Enforcement and Inspectional Services Division (part of Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective January 1, 2025

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$35 non-refundable application fee per permit
02
Plan check fee
Included; see fee schedule
03
Permit fee formula
Square-footage-based for 1 and 2 family residential. New construction and additions (occupied space), interior alterations, finished basements, renovations: $0.68/sq ft. Accessory structures (porches, decks, sheds): $0.68/sq ft.
04
Reinspection fee
Not specified; contact Building Code Enforcement at (603) 420-1730

Payments accepted online through OpenGov portal; contact (603) 420-1730

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective January 1, 2025) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
Contact Building Code Enforcement for current inspection hours.

Typical sequence: Inspections conducted as needed; prior to building permit issuance or occupancy, Building Division and other applicable departments must sign off on CO Check List.

Source: Building Code Enforcement and Inspectional Services Division (part of Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Merrimack permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Merrimack, NH?
Permit required for all new construction, additions, remodels, finished basements, accessory structures, and other significant work. Separate permits required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Merrimack, NH?
Building permit fees in Merrimack, NH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $35 non-refundable application fee per permit. Fees are calculated as: Square-footage-based for 1 and 2 family residential. New construction and additions (occupied space), interior alterations, finished basements, renovations: $0.68/sq ft. Accessory structures (porches, decks, sheds): $0.68/sq ft.. Plan check fee: Included; see fee schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Merrimack, NH?
To apply for a building permit in Merrimack, NH, follow these steps: 1. Owner retains designer/engineer for project as needed. 2. Prepare construction plans and required documentation. 3. Create account and submit application online through OpenGov portal. 4. Submit required number of construction plans with application. 5. Obtain all necessary permits (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) before starting construction. 6. Pay fees; $35 non-refundable application fee due with each permit. 7. Building Division and other applicable departments review and approve via CO Check List. 8. Conduct inspections at required stages. 9. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance upon successful final inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Merrimack, NH?
Building permit processing times in Merrimack, NH typically run Not specified; contact Building Code Enforcement at (603) 420-1730.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Merrimack, NH?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Merrimack, NH via: OpenGov portal, (603) 420-1730.

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Code Enforcement and Inspectional Services Division (part of Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.