Milford, New Hampshire Building Permit Guide

Building permits in Milford are issued by the Department of Building Safety in the Office of Community Development at 1 Union Square (603-249-0620). Applications can be filed and paid online in PermitEyes, and the Town also takes them by mail, email or at the counter. Through October 31, 2026, residential work costs a $50 application fee plus $0.14 per square foot; from November 1 the Select Board’s new schedule charges $75 plus $0.25. The Building Inspector has 30 days to act on a complete residential application.

What requires a permit in Milford?

The Town’s Building Permit Fact Sheet, dated November 2025, says permits are required for all structures over 200 sq ft and lists these jobs:

The Town’s Permits and Fees page says windows, doors and roofs all need a building permit, while the fact sheet lists windows and doors only “when structural changes are needed”. An older Required Permits sheet from 2008 set the shed threshold at 120 sq ft. Call 603-249-0620 before replacing windows like for like or building a small shed.

Who issues building permits in Milford?

The Department of Building Safety issues building permits, carries out inspections for building, zoning and site plan compliance, and issues Certificates of Occupancy and Certificates of Compliance. It sits in the Office of Community Development at Town Hall, where the service counter is at the Nashua Street entrance. The Building Inspector reviews the plans and approves or denies each application.

Applying through PermitEyes

Building, plumbing, electrical and other Community Development permits are filed in PermitEyes, and the Fire Department uses the same system for mechanical, tank, fire protection system and annual alarm permits. To apply:

• Register with “New user register here” and add your licences and their expiry dates to your profile, so they fill in future applications.
• Log in, choose New Application, pick the permit, complete it and submit.
• Pay with Pay Now by credit card, debit card or e-check, then use the paperclip next to the application to upload plans and documents.
• Track the permit, print it, message staff and request inspections from the same account.

Paper applications can still be mailed, emailed or brought to the Community Development office, where checks, cash and cards are accepted. The Building Safety resources list also carries a Tenant Change Application, a residential deck worksheet based on the 2024 IRC, climatic and geographic design criteria, and guidance for accessory dwelling units.

Milford building permit fees

Until October 31, 2026, fees come from the Building Safety Permit Fee Schedule the Board of Selectmen adopted effective September 15, 2019, in the revision dated May 1, 2025. The $50 application fee is paid when you apply, and the square-foot fee is collected before the permit is issued. Permit fees are not refundable.

For example, under the current schedule a 2,000 sq ft new house has a $50 application fee and a $280 building fee, $330 in all, before the electrical, plumbing and Fire Department permits. Work started before a permit is issued is charged 200% of the regular fee. When the Town hires an outside consultant to review the code, the permit is credited 20% of the regular fee or the cost of the review, whichever is less.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits in Milford

Electrical and plumbing permits are issued by Building Safety, through PermitEyes or on paper, each with the $50 application fee. The Department’s permit list covers new construction, additions, alterations and renovations, illuminated signs and pools for electrical work, and irrigation systems for plumbing. A generator or solar installation also needs building, mechanical and gas piping permits where they apply.

The Milford Fire Department at 39 School Street (603-249-0680, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) issues the permits for mechanical work, gas tanks and piping. That includes gas- and propane-fired furnaces, boilers and water heaters, wood and pellet stoves, fireplaces, standby generators, heating oil and propane tanks, sprinkler and fire alarm systems, tents over 400 sq ft and special events. A fire alarm system also needs an annual alarm user permit under Town ordinance. From November 1, 2026, non-fuel-burning mechanical and HVAC permits move to Building Safety at a flat $100, while fuel-burning and gas piping permits stay with the Fire Department.

How to get a building permit in Milford

Inspections in Milford

Once a permit is issued, the owner or applicant gets an inspection sheet listing every inspection the project needs. Book inspections through PermitEyes or by calling the Building Department at 603-249-0620 during business hours, not by calling the inspectors directly.

• Every inspection needs at least 24 hours’ notice, and a final certificate of occupancy inspection needs 48 hours.
• Building and plumbing inspections take place between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Electrical inspections take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• The homeowner or contractor must be present for inspections in occupied buildings.
• A missed inspection, unfinished work or no access means a re-inspection fee: $50 now, $150 from November 1, 2026.

Deficiencies noted on the inspection sheet must be corrected before the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance is issued.

Local Milford details that matter

Water and sewer entrance fees: Milford Water Utilities’ fee pamphlet (July 2026) lists residential entrance fees of $1,330.82 for water and $1,548.69 for sewer per living unit, in effect since May 1, 2023. Connection permits come from Water Utilities (603-249-0660).

Impact fees: the Town has not collected its police or library impact fees since July 2024, when the police station bond was paid off, according to a Planning Board presentation in April 2026.

Stormwater: the Town charges $25 for a stormwater permit and $50 for a stormwater plan review when one is needed; its 2008 permit sheet ties the permit to more than 5,000 sq ft of site disturbance.

Code editions: the fee schedule’s headings still name the 2018 IRC and IBC and the 2020 electrical code. The State Building Code has used the 2024 IBC and IRC, the 2018 energy code and the 2023 NEC since July 1, 2026, and applications received by December 31, 2026 may follow the 2021 set instead, but not a mix.

New Hampshire building code

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

Milford building permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Milford?

The Department of Building Safety in the Office of Community Development, 1 Union Square (603-249-0620). Fuel-burning equipment and gas piping permits come from the Fire Department.

How much is a building permit in Milford?

Through October 31, 2026, a $50 application fee plus $0.14 per sq ft for residential work, so a 2,000 sq ft house pays $330 before trade permits. From November 1, 2026 it is a $75 administrative fee plus $0.25 per sq ft, or $575 for the same house.

Do I need a permit for a new roof in Milford?

Yes. The Town now requires roof permits for all residential and commercial projects.

Do I need a permit for a shed or fence?

The current fact sheet requires permits for structures over 200 sq ft and for fences over 7 ft tall. Ask the department about smaller sheds, since an older Town sheet used 120 sq ft.

How long does it take to get a permit?

The Building Inspector has 30 days for a complete residential application and 60 days for a complete commercial one.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Through PermitEyes or by calling 603-249-0620, at least 24 hours ahead (48 hours for a final certificate of occupancy inspection).

Official Milford permitting resources

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

• Milford PermitEyes permit portal
• New Hampshire State Building Code statute (RSA 155-A)
• Milford Permits, Forms & Links
• Milford Building Safety
• Milford Permits and Fees (fee schedule)
• Milford Building Permit Applications & Requirements
• Milford Inspection Times and Scheduling
• Milford Fire Department permits

Simplify Milford permitting with Alliance Permitting

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 Milford permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.