Building Permits in Manchester

Manchester's Planning & Community Development Department, Building Division handles building-code administration, plan review, permit approval, inspections and permit applications.

Current codes

The City states that, effective July 1, 2024, it enforces the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, International Plumbing Code, IEBC and ISPSC, the 2018 IECC, and the 2020 NEC, with state and local amendments. The City also explains the state-law transition rule in RSA 155-A:2; that historical six-month concurrency period should not be read as permission to use an earlier code for a new 2026 application.

Applications and occupancy

Manchester makes building-permit applications available online; demolition has a separate process and requires utility sign-offs before issuance. For certificates of occupancy/final inspections, the City asks for requests 5 business days in advance for one- and two-family dwellings and 10 business days for commercial projects and residential projects with more than three dwelling units. These are advance-request requirements, not general permit-review timelines.

All associated permit inspections and supporting paperwork must be complete before a certificate of occupancy or completion letter is issued. Fees vary by permit type; use the City's current fee material rather than a generic percentage.

Official sources

• Manchester Building Division: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Planning-and-Comm-Dev/Building
• Manchester Building Codes: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Planning-and-Comm-Dev/Building/Building-Codes
• Manchester Permit Applications: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Planning-and-Comm-Dev/Building/Permit-Applications
• New Hampshire Building Code Review Board: https://www.nh.gov/safety/boardsandcommissions/bldgcode/

Disclaimer: Verify current fees, amendments, inspections and project-specific professional-design requirements before filing.