City Building Permits
Town of Bow, NH - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Town of Bow, New Hampshire. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Town of Bow issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, sign, demolition, and related permits for all work within town limits.
- Department
- Bow Community Development Department - Building / Code Enforcement
- Address
- 10 Grandview Road, Bow, NH 03304
- Phone
- (603) 223-3973 (general); (603) 223-3974 (Building Inspector)
- Website
- https://bownh.gov/174/Building
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Cloudpermit • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Create a Cloudpermit account at https://us.cloudpermit.com/.
- Select permit type and complete the online application; upload plans and required documents.
- Pay non-refundable application fee at time of submission (no review without fee).
- Application reviewed for zoning compliance and code requirements.
- Plans reviewed and approved.
- Permit issued.
- Schedule inspections online via Building Inspector's Outlook calendar booking system.
- Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection.
Source: Bow Community Development Department - Building / Code Enforcement
General Requirements
Decks, dormers, electrical work, HVAC systems, LP/natural gas fitting, renovation projects, plumbing, porches, sheds over 200 square feet, swimming pools (above-ground and in-ground), roof installation, new construction, additions.
Required Documents
- Property address and owner information
- site or plot plan showing setbacks from property lines
- well
- and septic system
- two sets of construction plans (one 11x17
- one full-scale)
- estimated construction cost (excluding land
- well
- septic)
- Energy Code Compliance documentation
- for renovations
- existing and new layout sketches with load-bearing wall notes. For new homes: septic design approval from Town of Bow and NH DES
- well drilling information and test results
- oil burner approval from Fire Department
- driveway permit from Road Agent
- sewer/water connection fees
- reflective street number.
- Building code
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with NH amendments, NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2020. Updated to align with NH State Building Code effective July 1, 2024.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not publicly summarized; see fee schedule PDF or contact department.
- Plan check fee
- Not separately stated; contact department.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Work not listed in the permit-required categories above (e.g., sheds 200 sq ft or under; contact department to confirm).
- Ordinary maintenance that does not involve structural or system changes.
- Contact the Building Inspector at (603) 223-3974 to confirm whether specific work requires a permit.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Online portal (online)
- Inspection hours
- Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation, framing, insulation, rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical, final.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with NH amendments, NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2020. Updated to align with NH State Building Code effective July 1, 2024.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Forms and Documents Library
- FAQ
- 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 Bow Community Development Department - Building / Code Enforcement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Town of Bow Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Town of Bow, NH?
- Decks, dormers, electrical work, HVAC systems, LP/natural gas fitting, renovation projects, plumbing, porches, sheds over 200 square feet, swimming pools (above-ground and in-ground), roof installation, new construction, additions.
- How much does a building permit cost in Town of Bow, NH?
- The minimum permit fee is Not publicly summarized; see fee schedule PDF or contact department.. Plan check fee: Not separately stated; contact department..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Bow, NH?
- 1. Create a Cloudpermit account at https://us.cloudpermit.com/. 2. Select permit type and complete the online application; upload plans and required documents. 3. Pay non-refundable application fee at time of submission (no review without fee). 4. Application reviewed for zoning compliance and code requirements. 5. Plans reviewed and approved. 6. Permit issued. 7. Schedule inspections online via Building Inspector's Outlook calendar booking system. 8. Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Bow, NH?
- The following work is generally exempt: Work not listed in the permit-required categories above (e.g., sheds 200 sq ft or under; contact department to confirm).; Ordinary maintenance that does not involve structural or system changes.; Contact the Building Inspector at (603) 223-3974 to confirm whether specific work requires a permit..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Bow, NH?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Online portal.
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