Rochester, NH — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building and Licensing Services

Street address

City Hall Annex, 33 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867

Phone

(603) 332-3508

Coverage

City of Rochester issues all building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits within city limits.

Online portal

ViewPoint Cloud

Website

Department website

Additional resources

Online Services ↗

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Rochester

Any new construction, addition, alteration, repair, demolition, or change of occupancy; installation or replacement of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas systems.

Scope of work

Permit?

Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not alter structure, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems

Exempt

Exempt Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not alter structure, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems

Note: Contact Building and Licensing Services at (603) 332-3508 to confirm exemptions.

Required documents

Site plan
Floor plans
Elevation drawings
Construction documents appropriate to project scope

Building code: NH State Building Code (RSA 155-A); also International Property Maintenance Code (2015 edition) per local ordinance; NH amendments apply.
Contractor requirements: All trade work (electrical, plumbing, gas/mechanical) requires NH state licensure.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Access the ViewPoint Cloud portal at https://rochesternh.viewpointcloud.com/.
02

Create an account or log in.
03

Select the permit type and complete the application.
04

Upload required plans and documents.
05

Pay the application fee.
06

Staff review for code compliance; applicant notified of any deficiencies.
07

Permit issued upon approval.
08

Schedule required inspections through the portal or by calling the department.
09

Obtain Certificate of Occupancy after final inspection.

Source: Building and Licensing Services ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Rochester building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$20.00

Plan check fee

Included in application review fee

Permit fee formula

$9.00 per $1,000 of construction cost (rounded up to next $1,000) plus $10.00 application fee. Example: $4,300 project = (5 x $9) + $10 = $55.00

Fees due at application; veterans building a personal residence may be exempt from fees (active duty, National Guard, reserve, or honorably discharged).

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

ViewPoint Cloud portal (online)
(603) 332-3508 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: Reinforcing steel prior to concrete; foundation/pier depth; rough-in (all trades roughed in before framing covered); insulation; drywall (before mud and tape); penetration firestop; final inspection. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical have additional required inspections.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Rochester permits

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

Any new construction, addition, alteration, repair, demolition, or change of occupancy; installation or replacement of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas systems.

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

Building permit fees in Rochester, NH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $20.00. Fees are calculated as: $9.00 per $1,000 of construction cost (rounded up to next $1,000) plus $10.00 application fee. Example: $4,300 project = (5 x $9) + $10 = $55.00. Plan check fee: Included in application review fee.

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

To apply for a building permit in Rochester, NH, follow these steps: 1. Access the ViewPoint Cloud portal at https://rochesternh.viewpointcloud.com/. 2. Create an account or log in. 3. Select the permit type and complete the application. 4. Upload required plans and documents. 5. Pay the application fee. 6. Staff review for code compliance; applicant notified of any deficiencies. 7. Permit issued upon approval. 8. Schedule required inspections through the portal or by calling the department. 9. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy after final inspection.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Rochester, NH. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not alter structure, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems. Note: Contact Building and Licensing Services at (603) 332-3508 to confirm exemptions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Rochester, NH via: ViewPoint Cloud portal, (603) 332-3508.

last verified April 2026 source Building and Licensing Services ↗ entry id permits/new-hampshire/strafford/rochester

Report a correction

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

City of Rochester

Other jurisdictions in Strafford County.