Salem, NH — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Inspectional Services Division (Building Safety Division)

Street address

33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079

Phone

(603) 890-2020

Not listed publicly

Coverage

Town of Salem issues all building, electrical, plumbing, gas,

Online portal

OpenGov

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Salem

Any new construction, addition, alteration, repair, or change

Scope of work

Permit?

Not specified publicly; contact the Inspectional Services Division at (603) 890-2020

Exempt

Exempt Not specified publicly; contact the Inspectional Services Division at (603) 890-2020

Required documents

Completed application
copy of contractor license
photo ID

Building code: NH State Building Code (RSA 155-A); effective August 13, 2024,
Owner-builder: Not specified publicly
Contractor requirements: State-licensed electricians, plumbers, gas fitters required;

Source: Inspectional Services Division (Building Safety Division) ↗

§ 03

Fee schedule

Salem building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Not specified; see fee schedule (effective 1/1/2025)

Plan check fee

Not specified publicly

Permit fee formula

Varies by permit type; commercial plumbing new construction = $250 + $18/fixture;

Contact department; fees set by Board of Selectmen

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

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical sequence: Contact department for project-specific sequence

Source: Inspectional Services Division (Building Safety Division) ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Salem permits

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

Any new construction, addition, alteration, repair, or change

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

Building permit fees in Salem, NH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not specified; see fee schedule (effective 1/1/2025). Fees are calculated as: Varies by permit type; commercial plumbing new construction = $250 + $18/fixture;. Plan check fee: Not specified publicly.

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

Building permit processing times in Salem, NH typically run Not specified; contact department. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Salem, NH. The following work is generally exempt: Not specified publicly; contact the Inspectional Services Division at (603) 890-2020. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

last verified April 2026 source Inspectional Services Division (Building Safety Division) ↗ entry id permits/new-hampshire/rockingham/salem

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Inspectional Services Division (Building Safety Division) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Salem

Other jurisdictions in Rockingham County.