Rockingham County, New Hampshire Building Permit Guide

Rockingham County’s website lists the city and towns in the county: Atkinson, Auburn, Brentwood, Candia, Chester, Danville, Deerfield, Derry, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Greenland, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Londonderry, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Northwood, Nottingham, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rye, Salem, Sandown, Seabrook, South Hampton, Stratham and Windham. Each handles its own building permits. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Derry (33990), Salem (31868), Londonderry (27844) and Portsmouth (23028).

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

What requires a building permit in Rockingham County?

Rockingham 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.

Some work needs a second permit from another department. In Salem, work in public or private rights-of-way (water, sewer, gas service, grease interceptor, driveway, street excavation) needs an Engineering Division permit. In Derry, new houses, additions with added sleeping rooms and commercial projects also need a plan review application to the Fire Prevention Bureau.

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 Rockingham County?

Each town and the City of Portsmouth issue their own permits. In a town that has not adopted an enforcement mechanism, the contractor must notify the State Fire Marshal of the type of construction before work begins; one- and two-family dwellings are excluded.

Local rules in the largest Rockingham County towns

Derry

Permit applications are accepted only online. Mechanical, gas piping and oil burner permits are handled by Derry Fire Administration (603-432-6751), not the building office.

Salem

The Inspectional Services Division was created in 2016 when the Building Department merged into the Salem Fire Department. Building permits are taken only during counter hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Monday through Thursday 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical applications are accepted 8:30 am to 5 pm with a copy of the license and photo ID.

Londonderry

The online portal takes electrical, plumbing, gas/mechanical, wood/pellet stove, septic, well, sign and temporary sign permits. All other permits are submitted in person or by mail; the town does not accept permit submissions by email. Fire Department permits (oil burner, fire alarm, sprinkler) are issued only Mondays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 280 Mammoth Road (603-432-1124).

Portsmouth

All Inspection permits are applied for online through ViewPoint. Since January 1, 2019 the building permit types are one application; plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire permits stay separate. Walk-in hours with inspectors are Mondays 8-10 am and 5-6 pm and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 8-10 am, with none on Wednesdays.

Rockingham County permit costs and fees

Each municipality sets its own fees:

• Portsmouth: 1 & 2 family detached $8/$1000 of construction cost, minimum $75.00; commercial $11 / $1000, minimum $150.00; $100.00 per re-inspection for work needing multiple re-inspections. Work started without a permit pays 200% of the regular fee or $300, whichever is greater, and all fees are rounded up to the nearest $5.00.
• Salem Engineering Division permits carry a bond: $1,000 for water, sewer, grease interceptor and driveway permits and $5,000 for gas service and street opening permits.

How to get a building permit in Rockingham County

Inspections in Rockingham County

Salem: schedule on the Inspection Line, 603-685-6415; Engineering Division right-of-way work is scheduled at least 48 hours before starting. Londonderry: an inspection is canceled if the permit is not pulled or the reinspection fee not paid by the morning of the appointment, and must then be rescheduled with 48-hour notice. Portsmouth: call 603-610-7243 with the permit number, address and inspection type for building inspections; plumbing, mechanical and gas inspections are scheduled through the online portal, electrical either way, and cancellations must be called in.

Official Rockingham County permitting resources

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

• Rockingham County towns and city
• Derry Code Enforcement / Building
• Salem Inspectional Services Division
• Londonderry Building & Zoning Enforcement
• Portsmouth Inspection Department
• RSA 155-A:7, enforcement of the state building code

Frequently asked questions

When can I drop off a building permit in Salem?

Only during counter hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Monday through Thursday 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can I email a permit application in Londonderry?

No. The town does not accept permit submissions by email; use the portal for trade permits and submit the rest in person or by mail.

What does Portsmouth charge if work starts without a permit?

200% of the regular fee or $300, whichever is greater.

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