Portsmouth, NH — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Inspection Department

Street address

City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Phone

(603) 610-7243

srwolph@portsmouthnh.gov (Chief Building Inspector Shanti Wolph)

Coverage

City of Portsmouth issues all building, electrical, plumbing,

Online portal

OpenGov (formerly ViewPoint Cloud; redirects to OpenGov)

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Portsmouth

New construction, additions, renovations, change of use or

Scope of work

Permit?

Ordinary repairs not exceeding $3,000 in value

Exempt

Painting and decorating

Exempt

Floor repair and replacement (like-for-like)

Exempt

Window and door repair/replacement (no structural changes)

Exempt

Re-roofing material replacement (no structural changes)

Exempt

Exempt Ordinary repairs not exceeding $3,000 in value
Exempt Painting and decorating
Exempt Floor repair and replacement (like-for-like)
Exempt Window and door repair/replacement (no structural changes)
Exempt Re-roofing material replacement (no structural changes)

Note: Exemptions do not apply if work involves structural alterations, egress modifications,

Required documents

Plans showing scope of work
site plan showing lot
all structures

Building code: NH State Building Code (RSA 155-A); 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC with NH amendments
Owner-builder: Not specified publicly
Contractor requirements: State-licensed electricians, plumbers, gas fitters required

Source: Inspection Department ↗

§ 03

Fee schedule

Portsmouth building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$75 (residential); $150 (commercial)

Plan check fee

$50 per contractor per submission; $50 per plan revision

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based -- $8/$1,000 construction cost (residential 1-2 family);

Payment via online portal at time of submission; all fees rounded

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

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

OpenGov (formerly ViewPoint Cloud; redirects to OpenGov) (online)

Typical sequence: Footing/foundation, framing, rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical,

Source: Inspection Department ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Portsmouth permits

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

New construction, additions, renovations, change of use or

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

Building permit fees in Portsmouth, NH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $75 (residential); $150 (commercial). Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based -- $8/$1,000 construction cost (residential 1-2 family);. Plan check fee: $50 per contractor per submission; $50 per plan revision.

03 How long does it take to get a building permit in Portsmouth, NH? ▸

Building permit processing times in Portsmouth, NH typically run Varies by complexity and seasonal workload; contact department. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in Portsmouth, NH? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Portsmouth, NH. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs not exceeding $3,000 in value; Painting and decorating; Floor repair and replacement (like-for-like); Window and door repair/replacement (no structural changes); Re-roofing material replacement (no structural changes). Note: Exemptions do not apply if work involves structural alterations, egress modifications, When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Portsmouth, NH via: OpenGov (formerly ViewPoint Cloud; redirects to OpenGov).

last verified April 2026 source Inspection Department ↗ entry id permits/new-hampshire/rockingham/portsmouth

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Inspection Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Portsmouth

Permit authority

When a permit is required

Fee schedule

Required inspections

Frequently asked

Other jurisdictions in Rockingham County.