Grafton County, New Hampshire Building Permit Guide

Grafton County’s Cities & Towns page lists each town and city in the county with a link to its own website, and building permits are handled by those towns and cities. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Lebanon (15481), Hanover (12054), Plymouth (6721) and Littleton (6003).

This guide covers the building offices of the four largest municipalities.

What requires a building permit in Grafton County?

Grafton County has no county building rules. Under RSA 155-A the state building code is enforced by the office each city or town appoints, and each town sets its own permit process and fees.

In Plymouth no permit is needed for an accessory structure up to 120 sq ft or a fence up to 4’ high. Littleton requires a building/zoning permit before excavation, demolition, new construction, enlargement, moving a structure or installing a mobile home; interior renovation of $1000 or more needs a permit there only in the 100-year flood zone.

Every building in New Hampshire must meet the state building and fire codes (the 2024 codes since July 2026). Only towns that have adopted an enforcement mechanism issue local permits, and any local amendment must be administrative and confirmed by the state. New Hampshire rules

Who handles permitting in Grafton County?

Each town and city runs its own building office, and in Plymouth that office sits in the fire department. Buildings owned by the state, the community college system and the university system are permitted, inspected and given certificates of occupancy by the State Fire Marshal, not the town.

Local rules in the largest Grafton County towns

Lebanon

Applications are filed through the city’s OpenGov online portal, where you can also track the application and schedule inspections. Allow at least fourteen days for review of a commercial application. A new or expanded driveway in the City right-of-way needs a separate driveway permit, and digging into a city street or sidewalk needs an excavation permit.

Hanover

Online permitting is required for one- and two-family and commercial/multi-family projects. One- and two-family submissions may need an approved driveway permit, an approved septic system permit and a plan showing the well location. Once the permit is issued, the permit card must be posted on the site where it can be seen from the road.

Plymouth

The Building Inspector works from the Fire Department building; the separate Planning and Development Department (603-536-1731) supports the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. All demolition permits are subject to NH Department of Environmental Services requirements before the permit is issued.

Littleton

A permit is issued only after the other town requirements are met: address assignment, driveway permit, sewer connection or State approved septic, and fire department confirmation that the plans meet fire codes. The town’s application states that Littleton does not issue Certificates of Occupancy. The Planning Board meets the first and third Tuesday each month at 5:30 pm (apply at least 18 days before the hearing) and the Zoning Board the fourth Tuesday (at least 12 days before).

Grafton County permit costs and fees

Each town sets its own fees:

• Lebanon (adopted 12/01/2021, form updated 4/30/2024): residential 1- and 2-family projects over $5,000 pay $6.00/$1,000 of total cost + $75.00 filing fee + 5%; multi-family and non-residential projects over $5,000 pay $7.50/$1,000 + $110.00 filing fee + 5%. Starting work before the permit is issued raises the fee 25% for a first occurrence, 50% for a second and 100% after that (City Code 36-3.E).
• Hanover (FY2027 Schedule of Rates and Fees, adopted June 15, 2026): one- and two-family work is $100 plus $0.75 per sq ft for finished living space and additions, or $0.50 per sq ft for renovations and for non-habitable structures such as garages, sheds and fences; commercial, institutional and multi-family work is $100 plus $6 per $1,000 of construction cost. The minimum permit fee is $150, and a re-inspection costs $75.
• Plymouth (adopted by the Selectboard 12/09/2024, effective 01/01/2025): demolition is $100.00 up to 2,000 sqft and $200.00 over 2,000 sqft.

How to get a building permit in Grafton County

Inspections in Grafton County

Lebanon’s FAQ asks you to contact the Planning & Development Department 48 hours before the inspection you want; fire inspections are scheduled directly with the Lebanon Fire Department. Hanover inspections are scheduled with the Planning, Zoning & Codes office by phone or email.

Official Grafton County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Grafton County cities and towns
• Lebanon building permits
• Hanover building code office
• Hanover Schedule of Rates and Fees FY2027, adopted June 15, 2026 (PDF)
• Plymouth Planning and Development
• Littleton Planning & Zoning
• RSA 155-A:7, enforcement of the state building code

Frequently asked questions

Does Grafton County issue building permits?

No. The county’s Cities & Towns page points to each town’s own website, and the towns and cities handle building permits.

Does Littleton issue certificates of occupancy?

No. The town’s building permit application states that Littleton does not issue Certificates of Occupancy.

What happens if I start work in Lebanon before the permit is issued?

The permit fee goes up 25% for a first occurrence, 50% for a second and 100% after that.

Simplify Grafton County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm which town building office, or the State Fire Marshal, has the parcel and the project type
• Prepare the town application with any driveway, septic or fire department approvals it needs
• Schedule the town’s inspections and close out the permit

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in New Hampshire. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Grafton County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.