Hillsborough County’s website lists the cities and towns it serves: Amherst, Antrim, Bedford, Bennington, Brookline, Deering, Francestown, Goffstown, Greenfield, Greenville, Hancock, Hillsborough, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, New Boston, New Ipswich, Pelham, Peterborough, Sharon, Temple, Weare, Wilton and Windsor. Each handles its own building permits. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Manchester (116818), Nashua (92435), the town of Merrimack (29699) and Hudson (26001).
This guide covers the building offices of the four largest municipalities. Nashua’s fee ordinance and Hudson’s fee schedule could not be read reliably, so ask them for current fees.
Merrimack in this guide is the Town of Merrimack, which is in Hillsborough County. It is not Merrimack County, a separate county with its own guide.
What requires a building permit in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough 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.
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Get a free quote →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 Hillsborough County?
Manchester and Nashua have city building departments; in the Town of Merrimack and in Hudson the building office is part of the fire department.
| Town | Office | Contact and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Building Division, Planning & Community Development, City Hall, One City Hall Plaza | (603) 624-6450, pcd@manchesternh.gov; Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM |
| Nashua | Department of Building Safety, City Hall 2nd Floor, 229 Main Street | 603-589-3080; office Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., permit desk 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Merrimack (town) | Building Division, Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department Headquarters, 432 Daniel Webster Highway | (603) 420-1730; Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Hudson | Inspectional Services Division, Hudson Fire Department, Town Hall Main Level, 12 School Street | (603) 886-6005; Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Local rules in the largest Hillsborough County towns
Manchester
The Building Division handles building plan review, permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy.
Nashua
Every permit application needs a Building and Landuse Application plus 1 paper set and 1 electronic plan set. Submit by mail, in the after-hours drop box at the Elm Street entrance of City Hall, or in person; commercial submittals can also be emailed to permits@nashuanh.gov with the paper set delivered.
Merrimack (town)
Plans and permit applications are submitted online through the Open Gov portal, and the Fire Department issues the Certificate of Occupancy when the project is complete.
Hudson
The Inspectional Services Division reviews, approves and issues building, plumbing, electrical, gas and mechanical permits. Fill in the application electronically and upload it at hudsonnh.wetransfer.com, or print it and mail it or leave it in the outside drop box.
Hillsborough County permit costs and fees
Each city and town sets its own fees. Nashua’s permit fees are set by Ordinance 0-21-045. Hudson staff contact you with the fee once the permit is ready; pay by check to “Town of Hudson” or online.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Appealing a code official’s decision is free: no fee may be charged, and the town must give appeal information with every permit or violation notice.
How to get a building permit in Hillsborough County
The Town of Merrimack is in this county; Merrimack County is a different place.
Nashua wants the Building and Landuse Application with 1 paper and 1 electronic plan set.
Merrimack through Open Gov, Hudson by upload, mail or drop box, Nashua by mail, drop box or in person.
Hudson tells you the fee once the permit is ready.
Manchester’s Building Division issues it in the city; in Merrimack it comes from the Fire Department.
Inspections in Hillsborough County
Nashua inspections run 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; request one with the online Request Inspection form, by email to permits@nashuanh.gov or by phone at 603-589-3080.
Rather not deal with the Hillsborough County building department?
Get a free quote →Merrimack (town) takes inspection requests only online through the OpenGov portal; voicemail requests are no longer taken. Give 24 to 48 hours’ notice. Inspections run 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday. Virtual inspections, if pre-approved, are limited to small residential work such as pier footings for decks, porches and sheds, exposed underground trenches, and insulation in finished basements and minor renovations.
Official Hillsborough County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Hillsborough County cities and towns
- Manchester Building Division
- Nashua Department of Building Safety
- Town of Merrimack Building Division
- Hudson Inspectional Services
- RSA 155-A:7, enforcement of the state building code
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Is the Merrimack in this guide the same as Merrimack County?
No. It is the Town of Merrimack, which is in Hillsborough County. Merrimack County is a separate county.
Can I leave a voicemail to book an inspection in Merrimack?
No. All building inspection requests must be made online through the OpenGov portal.
How do I submit a commercial permit in Nashua?
By mail, drop box or in person, or by email to permits@nashuanh.gov with the paper set delivered.
Simplify Hillsborough County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- 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.
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More New Hampshire permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Hillsborough County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.