New HampshireOfficials face deadlines for complete building permit requests, except certain wireless projects
Local officials must decide complete building permit requests within set deadlines, except certain wireless projects; people can challenge how state building or fire codes were applied.
What it does
Local officials must decide complete building permit requests within 30 days, or 60 days for nonresidential projects and residential projects with more than 10 homes. Certain wireless projects follow separate rules.
People affected by building or fire officials’ decisions may appeal how state codes apply. Zoning or select boards serving as appeals boards hear only disputes about local changes to those codes; other appeals go to the state board.
Authorized local officials may order building rule violations stopped or fixed. People can contest an order. If a court upholds it and the correction deadline is missed, the municipality may fix the problem and claim its costs against the property.
Argument forDecision deadlines could help applicants plan projects after they submit complete building permit requests; certain wireless projects follow separate rules.
Argument againstProperty owners could face a claim against their property for correction costs if a court upholds an order and its deadline is missed.
More detail
Local building officials must decide complete building permit requests within 30 days, or 60 days for specified projects. The 60-day deadline covers nonresidential projects and residential projects with more than 10 homes. Certain requests to add or change wireless service facilities follow separate timing rules. Building officials set the minimum information needed for a complete request. The deadline starts when the complete request is submitted. The act took effect July 1, 2026.
People affected by building or fire officials’ code decisions may appeal how the officials applied state codes. A zoning or select board serving as a code appeals board hears only disputes about local changes to state building or fire codes. Other appeals go to the state board. An appeal must claim that an official read the code incorrectly, that a rule does not fully apply, or that an equally good or better building method is proposed. An appeals board cannot waive state code requirements. A local code appeals board’s decision may be appealed to the state board within 30 days.
Authorized local officials may issue written orders to stop or fix building rule violations. Orders cover state building rules, local rules made under them, and requirements in approved applications, permits, or decisions. Recipients may contest an order. If a court upholds the order and its correction deadline is missed, the local government may fix the violation and place a claim on the property for its costs. Recipients have 20 days after service to contest an order. Work must stop at once only if the order requires it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 20Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 318; eff.7/1/2026 12:01 a.m.Became Law
- Jul 6Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15To Governor
- Jul 6Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2188e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2188e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2006c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 12
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2006c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 22Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2006c; 06/04/2026
- May 20Conference Committee Meeting: 05/20/2026 11:30 am GP 231
- May 19Conferee Change: Rep. Dargie Replaces Rep. Grote 05/19/2026 HJ 13 P. 151
- May 13President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Reardon; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
- May 13Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
- Apr 23Speaker Appoints: Reps. Layon, Slottje, Grote, DeRoy 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
- Apr 23House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1025s and Requests CofC (Rep. Layon): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
- Mar 12Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1025s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6Passed Senate
- Mar 12Committee Amendment # 2026-1025s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
- Mar 4Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1025s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9Minor
- Feb 18Hearing: 03/03/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 7
- Jan 30Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3Minor
- Jan 7Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2952h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 51Passed House
- Jan 7Amendment # 2025-2952h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 51
- 2025
- Nov 5Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2952h 11/05/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 9Minor
- Oct 27Executive Session: 11/05/2025 10:00 am GP 231
- Sep 22Full Committee Work Session: 10/01/2025 10:00 am GP 231
- Feb 11Retained in Committee
- Jan 23Subcommittee Work Session: 01/28/2025 10:15 am LOB 104
- Jan 15Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 01:15 pm LOB 306-308
- Jan 7Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 12Introduced
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