Lee, NH — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Planning, Zoning Administration, and Building Inspection

Street address

Lee Town Offices, 249 Calef Highway, Lee, NH 03861

Phone

(603) 659-6783

Coverage

Town of Lee issues all building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits within town limits.

Online portal

Town of Lee Planning and Building

Paper-based

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Lee

New construction, additions, alterations, demolition, and trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical); see the Items that Require a Permit page for a full list.

Scope of work

Permit?

General NH exemptions: accessory structures under 200 sq ft, ordinary maintenance and repair under a low cost threshold

Exempt

Exempt General NH exemptions: accessory structures under 200 sq ft, ordinary maintenance and repair under a low cost threshold

Note: Contact the Lee Planning, Zoning, and Building office at (603) 659-6783 to confirm exemptions. The town's Items that Require a Permit page lists what does require a permit; anything not on that list should be confirmed with the office.

Required documents

Completed application
Cost estimate
Site plan
Floor plans

Building code: NH State Building Code (RSA 155-A); Lee has adopted Building Regulations (2018) and Zoning Regulations (2023).
Contractor requirements: Trade work requires NH state licensure.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Download the permit application from the town website or contact the office.
02

Complete the application with project details and estimated cost of construction.
03

Mail with a check payable to "Town of Lee" or deliver in person (call ahead for an appointment as staff may be out of office).
04

Staff reviews for code and zoning compliance.
05

Permit issued upon approval; post on job site.
06

Schedule inspections by calling (603) 659-6783.

Source: Planning, Zoning Administration, and Building Inspection ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Lee building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$50.00

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee

Permit fee formula

$50.00 for first $2,000 of estimated cost; $5.00 per $1,000 thereafter.

Check payable to "Town of Lee" or pay in person. Other fees: $75.00 for well installation permit; $75.00 for septic system installation/replacement permit.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(603) 659-6783 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Call ahead as staff may be out of office
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: The Building Inspector performs required inspections in structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades; Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Lee permits

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

New construction, additions, alterations, demolition, and trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical); see the Items that Require a Permit page for a full list.

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

Building permit fees in Lee, NH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: $50.00 for first $2,000 of estimated cost; $5.00 per $1,000 thereafter.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.

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

To apply for a building permit in Lee, NH, follow these steps: 1. Download the permit application from the town website or contact the office. 2. Complete the application with project details and estimated cost of construction. 3. Mail with a check payable to "Town of Lee" or deliver in person (call ahead for an appointment as staff may be out of office). 4. Staff reviews for code and zoning compliance. 5. Permit issued upon approval; post on job site. 6. Schedule inspections by calling (603) 659-6783.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Lee, NH. The following work is generally exempt: General NH exemptions: accessory structures under 200 sq ft, ordinary maintenance and repair under a low cost threshold. Note: Contact the Lee Planning, Zoning, and Building office at (603) 659-6783 to confirm exemptions. The town's Items that Require a Permit page lists what does require a permit; anything not on that list should be confirmed with the office. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Lee, NH via: (603) 659-6783. Call ahead as staff may be out of office.

last verified April 2026 source Planning, Zoning Administration, and Building Inspection ↗ entry id permits/new-hampshire/strafford/lee

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning, Zoning Administration, and Building Inspection before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Lee

Other jurisdictions in Strafford County.