NH Branch · Southern NH · Merrimack Valley · Seacoast

New Hampshire

Third-party & special inspection jurisdiction matrix

The statute state: SB 188 (2025) gives licensed engineers a statewide lane to perform code inspections in place of the building official, with permit-fee reductions written into the law. 25 jurisdictions from Hooksett across southern New Hampshire, plus flagged MA/ME territory.

COMPILED August 2026
VERIFIED = primary document fetched · SNIPPET = search result only · INFERRED = from state code, not a local document
On this page
Jurisdiction dossiers

Compiled August 2026 from each jurisdiction's published websites, policy PDFs, permit packets, and ordinances (6 parallel research agents, primary documents fetched and read; every claim below carries its source). Verification labels: VERIFIED = fetched page/PDF; SNIPPET = search result not fetched; INFERRED = from statewide code, not a local document. The branch is new (Hooksett NH home base, opened 2026), so this coverage list was derived from the branch's advertised service territory plus its commuting shed rather than an existing project list: 25 New Hampshire jurisdictions, with the advertised northern-Massachusetts and southern-Maine towns carried as a flagged tier.


The statewide frame (applies everywhere)


Massachusetts & Maine (advertised territory, no UP certifier)

The branch's advertised service area extends into the Massachusetts Merrimack Valley (Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, Newburyport, Dracut, Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Danvers) and southern Maine (York and neighbors). UP does not currently perform inspections in either state: John Valerio's Massachusetts SE license #34296 is INACTIVE, and the firm holds no Maine license. Frame notes for the day that changes:


THE MATRIX

Tier 1: Published local special-inspection or engineer-certification rules

UP Jurisdiction UND ANC BRC SUP FND WTR ENC RTW How it works
Nashua ¹ ² Full published IBC Ch. 17 program: city SSI form is a condition of permit issuance; schedule names driven deep foundations and helical foundations with installation-torque records; engineer-sealed Final Report before CO. Owner-engaged inspector required.
Rochester ³ Codified permit trigger names "repair of any foundation, footing"; minor-permit form has Repair + Footing/Foundation checkboxes; inspection order includes an explicit "Foundation/Pier Depth" hold point; IBC 1705 SSI intake on major permits. Helical-pier settlement repairs already on the issued-permit record.
Concord Commercial packet REQUIRES a Statement of Special Inspections for all IBC Ch. 17 work (soils, rebar, concrete, steel) with reports flowing to the Code Office. Residential: permits required for "any structural changes"; pier details demanded in foundation submittals.
Salem Strongest general posture: Ch. 210 ordinance lets the Building Inspector accept reports from "recognized inspection services"; standing third-party plan-review program with pre-qualified PE list; permit form has explicit Residential Foundation + Repair categories.
Goffstown Certified foundation document hard-gates the job: "CERTIFIED FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE/PLAN must be submitted to the Building Department prior to continuing work. No further inspections will be done without it." Rebar-in-place pre-pour hold point cites IRC R403.1.
Hudson Foundation work is issued a foundation-only permit until a certified foundation plan is submitted and approved; engineer signature block built into the application; PE structural letters already required for roof solar (precedent).
Merrimack Commercial inspection requirements list "Anchor & Structural Support System – 3rd Party Inspection" with independent field reports. Small residential pier footings eligible for virtual inspection. Building division sits inside the Fire Department.
Portsmouth ¹⁰ Codified outside plan review mechanism (Ch. 12 §106.3.5/6) plus local IBC 1704 amendments (trusses, firestop): the city actively runs third-party machinery. "Structural changes or repairs" expressly permit-required; stamped plans at official's discretion. Frost depth 4 ft by local rule.

Tier 2: Statewide SB 188 mechanism, standard local permit regime (all 8 product types eligible)

UP Jurisdiction All products What IS published
Manchester 2021 I-codes effective 2024-07-01; permit types include "Foundation in Advance" and "Repair or Replacement"; architect/engineer block on the application; paper-only process; structural inspectors reached by email, office hours 7:00-8:30 AM and 3:00-4:00 PM. No published 3P policy.
Hooksett Home base. "Foundation Only" + "Repair/Replacement" permit checkboxes; town publishes its own basement-wall rebar minimums (unusual); foundation first in the notify-for-inspection list; PermitEyes portal for trades. No published 3P policy.
Bedford * "Structural changes or repairs" expressly permit-required; commercial applications must list required 3P inspections and the agency up front; the department reserves 3P plan review. BUT the handbook says "PICTURES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED... INSPECTORS MUST VISUALLY INSPECT", a pre-SB-188 posture; expect to negotiate the approved-agency lane explicitly. Pre-backfill hold point includes piers.
Bow Most open on paper: the department "might ask for a plan review by a licensed New Hampshire engineer or an approved third-party agency"; stamped plans at inspector discretion. Town site lists 2024 IBC/IRC (ahead of most towns). Per-permit inspection list issued with each permit.
Windham Best-published hold points of the small towns: footings pre-pour, foundation pre-pour, pre-backfill "includes footings, frost walls, piers, damp-proofing", and a dedicated Sono-tube/pier depth verification (4 ft) inspection. Engineer stamp required only for wood trusses.
Londonderry 2021 I-codes effective 2025-01-01; structural plan required for "ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES"; building permits paper-only ($25 fee); no published hold-point list. No published 3P policy.
Derry Online-only permitting (PermitEyes) since 2022; structural repair routes through Residential Additions & Renovations; 2021 codes; 24-hour inspection notice. No published 3P policy. Actively hiring an additional inspector (2026-07 posting).
Pelham Permit form has explicit "Repair, replacement" and "Foundation ONLY" categories; 2021 IBC stated on the instructions; additions/ADUs need Fire Inspector pre-stamp; building permits run through the Planning Department. No published 3P policy.
Litchfield One-inspector department, MyGov online permitting; engineer-stamped plot plan possible for footprint changes; foundation repair not addressed either way in the what-needs-a-permit list. No published 3P policy.
Milford Thinnest public corpus: everything behind the PermitEyes portal and the counter; no staff names, no inspection list, no code editions published. Inspector counter hours 8:00-9:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM.
Amherst Clearest edition list in the state: 2024 I-codes effective 2026-07-01 + 2023 NEC + 2018 IECC; footing-with-rebar and foundation-with-rebar pre-pour hold points plus damp-proofing/drainage check; project-specific inspection list attached to each permit. No published 3P policy.
Hampton * Four published foundation-stage hold points (soils/footing forms, wall forms, pre-backfill coating, as-built pre-framing); "Engineer letter may be required for beams" (interior remodels); Flood Elevation Certificates in the standard packet (coastal); house-elevation checklist published.
Dover Permit trigger = anything affecting "strength" + $2,500 maintenance ceiling; foundation-prior-to-backfill hold point; foundation plan spec published (footings, reinforcing, bolt spacing); stamped plans per RSA 310-A:52 for non-1/2-family. Online portal. City page lists 2018 codes (likely stale; confirm).
Exeter In-person application intake; 24-hour cover notice for concealment; form authorizes officials "to conduct inspections from time to time"; town page still says 2015 I-codes (stale; confirm). Monthly issued-permit PDFs published (useful precedent source). No published 3P policy.
Epping Paper/email permitting through the Building Assistant; inspector available mornings by appointment; nothing published on codes, inspections, or 3P. Everything is a phone call.
Laconia * Published PE hook: sealed plans required for all multifamily/commercial and "may also be required for residential construction as determined by the Code Enforcement Director"; footing/foundation details demanded at plan review; $1,000 repair-exemption ceiling means all our work is permit-required. Lakes Region seat.
Raymond One combined Building Inspector/CEO/Health Officer; minor-permit form binds work to RSA 155-A; stamped plans historically required over 2,500 sf and all commercial (2021 packet, confirm current); no published inspection list or 3P policy. Codified chapter still recites BOCA (obsolete boilerplate).

Tier 3: Flagged (advertised territory without a UP certifier)

UP Jurisdiction Status Why flagged
Northern Massachusetts (Methuen · Lawrence · Andover · North Andover · Haverhill · Newburyport · Dracut · Lowell · Chelmsford · Westford · Danvers) Branch advertises these towns, but Valerio's MA SE license #34296 is INACTIVE. Uniform statewide 780 CMR (10th ed.); 1-2 family exempt from construction control. Flip this row when the MA license is reactivated.
Southern Maine (York and neighbors) Branch advertises southern Maine; the firm holds no ME license. MUBEC 2021 editions; state-certified Third Party Inspector program exists (16-642 C.M.R. ch. 2), a ready lane if licensure is pursued.

Footnotes (Tier 1):

  1. Nashua Special Inspections Structural packet (2015-IBC vintage, still posted): Statement of Special Inspections "submitted as a condition for permit issuance"; schedule categories include Driven Deep Foundation Elements (Table 1705.7, continuous inspection of driving operations, blows/ft, tip elevations) and Helical Foundations (Section 1705.9: equipment, pile dimensions, tip elevations, final depth and final installation torque), the exact record set of UP pier logs. Inspector engaged by owner/owner's agent, not the contractor inspected; PE recommended as program administrator.
  2. Nashua SSI schedule also covers Soils (1705.6), Foundations, and Cast-in-Place Deep Foundations (1705.8); engineer-sealed Final Report of Special Inspections filed before CO.
  3. Rochester Major Building Permit checklist: "Statement of Special Inspection [IBC Section 1705] [If Applicable]" + plans "[Stamped When Required by RSA 310-A]"; issued-permit record includes foundation settlement repair "involving installation of helical piers... and floor joist sistering" (2025-03 permit log).
  4. Rochester Ch. 40 §40-15(A): permits required for "construction, alteration, removal, demolition, or repair of any foundation, footing, building or structure"; building-inspector order of inspections runs "1. Reinforcing steel prior to placement of concrete 2. Foundation/Pier Depth 3. Rough-In..." NB the separate §40-15 "Footing Certification" due before foundation inspection is a land-surveyor setback instrument, not a structural PE report.
  5. Concord Commercial Building Permit Requirements (2025-07): "A statement of Special Inspections, for the types of work listed in Chapter 17 of the IBC, are required to be submitted in addition to the stamped plans... All Special Inspection reports must be sent to the Code Office as they become available." Residential guide: permits required for "repairing... any building... includes any structural changes"; foundation submittals must show pier details and locations.
  6. Salem Town Code Ch. 210: the Building Inspector may accept reports from "recognized inspection services" after evaluating qualifications, reports written and certified by a responsible officer. Third Party Plan Review Program (since 2014) with pre-qualified reviewers; permit categories "Residential Foundation (E,P,H)" and "Repair"; applicant signs a no-backfill-before-inspection clause. Building division merged into the Fire Department (Fire Marshal is Chief Building Official); permit counter open 8:30-9:30 AM only.
  7. Goffstown Building Permit Requirements, Schedule of Inspections: non-residential "CERTIFIED FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE must be submitted to the Building Department prior to continuing work. No further inspections will be done without it"; residential same with "CERTIFIED FOUNDATION PLAN". Stamped plans (NH architect/engineer) for all non-residential and 3+ story.
  8. Hudson INSP-15 application (rev 2025-02): "Permits that require a foundation or expansion of building footprint will be issued a foundation only permit until a certified foundation plan is submitted and approved." Owner/Contractor/Architect/Engineer signature blocks on the form; commercial work needs stamped drawings; roof solar arrays need a PE structural analysis.
  9. Merrimack Commercial Inspection Requirements (2015-04): Division 01 "Testing and Inspection Agencies – Third Party Inspections"; Division 03 "Anchor & Structural Support System – 3rd Party Inspection" with "field inspections reports from an independent source." Residential: virtual inspections allowed for "Pier footings for decks, porches, sheds and non-heated additions."
  10. Portsmouth Ch. 12 (posted copy is the 2009 adoption; confirm currency): §106.3.5/6 codify owner-contracted outside plan review; local amendments extend IBC 1704 special inspections to truss installations and firestop; FAQ: "It is up to the code official, based on State Law, to determine when engineered plans are required"; permits required for "Structural changes or repairs" and any work on structural members; ordinary-repair exemption capped at $3,000 and never covers structural elements.

Per-jurisdiction dossiers (sources + contacts)

Amherst

  • Building & Code Enforcement, 2 Main St, (603) 673-6041. Jamie Ramsay, Building Inspector/CEO, x214; inspections scheduled via Lynea Forand x206 (48 hrs ahead)
  • Department page (2024 I-codes effective 2026-07-01, clearest edition list in the state): https://www.amherstnh.gov/building-code-enforcement
  • Hold points: footing w/ rebar pre-pour, foundation w/ rebar pre-pour, damp-proofing/drainage; project-specific list attached to each permit.

Bedford

Bow

Concord City

Derry

  • Code Enforcement/Building, 14 Manning St. (603) 432-6148. Keri Owen, Code Enforcement Director/Building Inspector
  • Online-only permitting via PermitEyes: https://permiteyes.us/derry/loginuser.php; permit-required list omits foundations explicitly (structural repair routes through Residential Additions & Renovations, SNIPPET)
  • NB derrynh.gov blocks non-browser fetches. Mechanical/gas permits run through Fire Administration, (603) 432-6751.

Dover City

Epping

Exeter

Goffstown

Hampton

Hooksett

  • Code Enforcement/Building Division, 35 Main St. Dana Pendergast, Code Enforcement Officer, (603) 485-4117, dpendergast@hooksett.gov
  • Residential application ("Foundation Only" + "Repair/Replacement"): cms3.revize.com/revize/hooksett/... building_permit_residential_12.15.2022.pdf
  • Published basement-wall rebar minimums (rebar_requirement.pdf, same document center). "IBC 2021" per department page. PermitEyes for trades: https://permiteyes.us/hooksett
  • Home base of the branch (Groundworks at 3 Eastpoint Drive). Introduce the firm + SB 188 posture early; this is the flagship relationship.

Hudson

Laconia City

  • Code Enforcement/Building, 45 Beacon St E. Joseph Gray, Code Enforcement Director, 603-527-1293, jgray@laconianh.gov
  • Minor permit application + plan review checklist (PE seal "may also be required for residential construction as determined by the Code Enforcement Director"; footing & foundation details): https://www.laconianh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12071/
  • Ch. 119: sealed plans for all multifamily/commercial; $1,000 repair-exemption ceiling. Dept page says 2018 editions; codified text lags at 2015. BS&A online permitting.

Litchfield

Londonderry

Manchester City

Merrimack

  • Building & Code Enforcement Division (inside Fire & Rescue HQ), 432 DW Highway. Richard Jones, Building Official, (603) 420-1730, building@merrimacknh.gov
  • Commercial inspection requirements ("Anchor & Structural Support System – 3rd Party Inspection"): merrimacknh.gov .../inspection_requiremnts_-_commercial.pdf (2015-04)
  • OpenGov portal for permits + inspections; 2021→2024 code concurrency noted through 2026-12-31. Virtual inspections for small residential pier footings.
  • NB town site blocks non-browser clients; documents fetched via archive.

Milford

  • Building Safety, 1 Union Square. (603) 249-0620. No staff names published; third-party listings name Building Inspector Jamie/James Ramsay (SNIPPET); same name is VERIFIED as Amherst's inspector; possibly shared or moved. Verify by phone.
  • PermitEyes portal: https://permiteyes.us/milford/loginuser.php. Inspector counter 8:00-9:00 AM / 3:00-3:30 PM (electrical Tue/Thu). Everything substantive is behind the portal.

Nashua City

Pelham

  • Planning Dept (no standalone building dept), 6 Village Green, 603-635-7811. Roland Soucy, Building Inspector
  • Application + instructions ("Repair, replacement" + "Foundation ONLY" categories; 2021 IBC; Fire Inspector pre-stamp for additions/ADUs): https://www.pelhamweb.com/DocumentCenter/View/232/
  • Inspections Mon-Thu through the Planning Office. No published hold-point list; call.

Portsmouth City

Raymond

  • Building & Health Dept, 4 Epping St, 603-895-4735. Dana Dinsmore, Building Inspector/CEO/Health Officer, (603) 895-7020, buildinginspector@raymondnh.gov
  • Forms live on ecode360's document center (town site migrated; intermittent 403s): https://ecode360.com/RA1135/documents/_Forms_and_Documents
  • Historical major-permit packet: stamp required over 2,500 sf + all commercial (2021 archive; confirm current). Codified chapter still recites BOCA (obsolete; RSA 155-A governs). Everything is a phone call.

Rochester City

  • Building, Zoning & Licensing Services, 33 Wakefield St. (603) 332-3508. Jim Grant, Director and Ryan Hanslik, Building Inspector (2025 staffing snapshot; confirm)
  • Minor application (Repair/Replace + Footing/Foundation checkboxes; pier-depth hold point): https://www.rochesternh.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif9211/f/uploads/minor_building_permit_application_5.pdf
  • Major application (IBC 1705 SSI checklist line + RSA 310-A stamp line + land-surveyor footing certification): .../major_building_permit_application_3.pdf
  • Ch. 40 §40-15: permit for "repair of any foundation, footing"; ViewPoint Cloud portal: https://rochesternh.viewpointcloud.com/. Issued-permit logs show helical-pier repairs (2025-03). Codes page: 2018 ICC / 2020 NEC effective 2023-01-01.

Salem

  • Inspectional Services (Fire Dept), 33 Geremonty Dr. 603-890-2020; inspections 603-685-6415. Scott Sullivan, Building Inspector, 603-890-2025
  • Third Party Plan Review Program (pre-qualified PE list): https://www.salemnh.gov/329/Third-Party-Plan-Review
  • Permit application (Residential Foundation + Repair categories; no-backfill clause): https://www.salemnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/605/
  • Ch. 210 "recognized inspection services" clause (ecode360 27548489). Permit counter 8:30-9:30 AM only. Best NH town to pilot the full 3P relationship.

Windham