Building Inspector

Contact Information: (603) 887-5552

Thom Roy
Building Official/Code Enforcement Officer
84 Chester Street
Chester, NH 03036
Tel: 603-887-5552
Fax: 603-887-4404
Email: chesterbi@gsinet.net

Office Hours*:

Monday-Thursday – 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Monday-Thursday - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Thursday Evening 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Inspection/Field Hours*:

Monday – Thursday 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM – By Appointment

*(Additional times may be arranged by appointment)

You may leave messages and call back information at 887-5552 or you may send email
to chesterbi@gsinet.net.

Application for Permits:

A permit issued by the Building Official shall be required before beginning operations of placement of foundations, alterations, repair or placement on a lot of a building or structures. Applications for permits shall be submitted in such form as the Building Official prescribes and shall be signed by or authorized by the owner.
Please read the most current building code.

No Permit will be approved and issued until public notice of the application has been posted at the Town Hall for a period of 7 days.
Permits will be made no later than 7 working days after Application for Permit.
Permit application must include an official Permit Form, plans drawn to scale, dimensions and locations of the lot to be used, proposed alterations and the intended use of the structures.
A new driveway or improvement to a driveway requires a Permit.
Permits are required for an in-home occupation/business.
Above ground pools require a building permit – most will also require an Electrical Permit
Accessory Sheds require a Building Permit.
Generator Installations require a permit.
No permit is required for re-roofing when no structural changes are made

Please call the office if you have questions related to a building project.

Public Notice
The permit information below is intended for use within the Town of Chester. Please be sure to check with your local authority having jurisdiction before relying upon the content of these informational sheets when used in other communities. Should you have questions regarding the building code, consult with your local Building Department. The Building Department can and should be your best source of code information.

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questions or comments?
Call 603- 887-5552 or email to chesterbi@gsinet.net

New Health Ordinance relating to New Private Wells

Health Ordinance Private Wells

The NH State Building Code has been amended with the adoption of the following documents:

(Ratified 5/31/2012)

International Building Code, 2009 edition, with amendments
International Existing Building Code, 2009 edition, with amendments
International Plumbing Code, 2009 edition, with amendments
International Mechanical Code, 2009 edition, with amendments
International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 edition, with amendments
International Residential Code, 2009 edition, with amendments
National Electrical Code, 2011 edition, with amendments.
The State Building Code also makes specific adoption of the State Fire Code.

NEW LEAD PAINT REQUIREMENTS

Effective April 22, 2010 new federal regulations intended to protect children from lead poisoning go into effect. The regulations will require that projects that disturb lead paint in homes, day care centers, and schools built before 1978 to be completed by licensed re-modelers certified through the EPA to perform such work.

NH Lead Paint Programs

May is Building Safety Month
“Building Safety, Where You Live, Work, or Play”

“Construction that meets the minimum building codes – does not ensure quality construction – know your contractor.” Conditions such as bowed walls, uneven floors or squeaky floor systems, soft stairways and floors, excessively popped sheetrock, misaligned or uneven roofing, out of square areas, poor window installations, wind washing, areas of energy loss, poor ventilation, leaky return air drafts, poor ridge venting, improper shingle attachment, miss-aligned doors, etc. – these and many other aspects of home nuisance problems are all effected directly by the quality of workmanship that is inherit in good construction practices.

CLOSE OUT YOUR PERMITS

Insure that you get a final inspection and get the green copy of the permit form,
“Building Permit – Certificate of Occupancy”, to close out your permit.
Maintain this copy for your record.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Effective January 1, 2010
Carbon Monoxide Detectors are required in
Residential New Construction
as defined by RSA 153:10-a.

Carbon Monoxide Detection Devices in Dwellings

Addendum to Carbon Monoxide Detection Requirements

Insure that you have referenced and understand both of the above documented requirements relating to Carbon Monoxide placement in new construction. Carbon Monoxide detector requirements are also specifically noted within the building codes.

Generator Installations – Residential

NH Fire Marshal’s Office
Bulletin on Residential Generator Safety

**MINIMUM CLEARANCE TO COMBUSTIBLES**
5 Feet – ALL INSTANCES
NO EXEMPTIONS

**MIMIMUM DISTANCE TO OPENINGS**
5 Feet – All INSTANCES
NO EXEMPTIONS

A permit is required for generator installations. This generally will be an electrical permit but may also require a gas permit if the unit installed is to be a new propane connection.

DIG SAFE - its The LAW

888-DIG-SAFE
888-(344-7233)
www.digsafe.com
all areas within 100 feet of underground utilities; 72 hours advance notification required all excavation

Guide to Decks

Useful information on Safe Construction of single level residential wood decks can be found here:

Deck Construction Guide

The contents of the above guide are based in part on the existing 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and should be considered a minimum standard for compliance and are reflective of good industry practices relating to deck construction.