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1. What Codes does the Town of Hampton follow?

1. 2018 International Residential Code

2. 2018 International Existing Building Code

3. 2018 International Building Code

4. 2018 International Plumbing Code

5. 2018 International Mechanical Code

6. 2020 National Electrical Code

7. 2018 International Energy Conservation Code

8. 2018 International Solar Energy Provisions

2. How do I arrange for an inspection?

Call the Building Department at 603-929-5826 to request an inspection and be put on the schedule. Other than emergencies, a minimum of 24 hours notice for a scheduled inspection is needed.

3. What are the requirements for a shed?

1. A shed (or other accessory building) no greater than 100 square feet  (10 x 10) in size and not greater than 12 feet in height shall meet a minimum setback of four feet on both the sides and rear property lines in all zones, but must maintain the minimum required front property line setback in the zone said shed or accessory building is being located.
2. A shed (or other accessory building) must maintain a minimum of 7 feet from any other structure on the lot in the RA and RB zone districts.
3. A shed larger than 100 square feet in size and/or greater than 12 feet in height must meet the setback requirements of the zone in which it is located.
4. No more than two accessory building is allowed on any lot.
5. A plot plan showing shed location in relation to the property lines must be attached to the permit application.

4. What are the requirements for a fence?

1. It is the recommendation of the Building Department that all fences be placed 3 feet from the property line. There is no ordinance regarding which side of the fence must face outwards. 
2. On former Town owned leased land, the deed from the Town must be attached to the Permit Application. If there is a deed restriction as to the height of the fence (3 feet and ornamental in nature), that is the only size that can and will be permitted.
3. A fence surrounding a pool must be at least 48 inches high with lockable gate.
4. The allowable fence height is 6 feet.
5. A plot plan showing location of fence in relation to the property lines must be attached to the permit application.

5. What is the allowable fence height on a fence?

The allowable fence height is 6 feet.

6. What are my setbacks?

Setback (dimensional) requirements can be found in the Zoning Ordinances (PDF) (Article 4– Table 2) for all zones.

7. Where do I find the zoning ordinances?

View the Zoning Ordinances (PDF).

8. Pool Information

1. All pools which contain water 24 inches or more in depth at any point must be entirely enclosed by some form of barrier (walls, fences, etc.) which is at least 4 feet high with a lockable gate and makes the pool inaccessible to small children. (IBC 3109)
2. Plans for public or semi-public pools must be approved by the New Hampshire Water Supply and Pollution Control Commission.
3. If the water level of the pool is to be maintained by the use of a hose from a hose bibb or sillcock, some means of backflow prevention must be provided. (IPC Section 608)
4. A permanently installed pool must have at least one GFCI protected electrical receptacle located between 10 to 20 feet from the inside edge of the pool. (NEC 680-6(a))
5. An electrical receptacle for a recirculating pump motor must be located at least 5 feet from the inside edge of the pool and must be of the single and locking type. (NEC 680-6(a) exception)
6. All 125-volt receptacle located within 20 feet of the pool must have ground-fault circuit protection. (NEC 680-6(a))
7. Existing lighting fixtures may not be located within 5 feet, measured horizontally, and 5 feet measured vertically from the inside edge of the pool and the maximum water level of the pool. New lighting fixtures may not be located within 5 feet measured horizontally from the inside edge and 12 feet measured vertically from the maximum water level of the pool.
8. All metal parts must be bonded together by a copper conductor, number 8 or larger, and all electrical equipment, to include the circulator motor, must have an insulated copper grounding conductor, number 12 or larger, which must be run with the circuit conductors in conduit back to the electrical panel. (NEC 680-22, 24 and 25)
9. Conductors for in-pool lighting must be run in conduit from the junction box near the pool, back to the electrical panel, and must include an insulated copper ground wire number 12 or larger. (NEC 680-20)
10. A plot plan showing the location of the pool in relation to the property lines must be attached to the permit application.

9. Flood Zone Requirements & Information

See Article II in the building and zoning ordinance.

10. What is the height requirement for deck railing?

• 36 inches from the walking surface for 1 and 2 family dwellings
• 42 inches for multi-family dwellings - which is a building having 3 or more dwelling units

11. What are my options if my project does not conform with the building code?

Schedule an appointment with the Building Inspector to review your project by contacting the Building Department.

12. Are peddlers, hawkers, and Itinerant allowed to conduct business in Hampton?

For more information on peddlers, hawkers and itinerant, view the Adopted Policy on Hawkers, Peddlers, and Itinerant Vendors Chapter 628 (PDF).

13. What is the Town’s noise ordinance?

Section 4. Hours of construction work. Except for emergencies, no person shall cause the construction, reconstruction, remodeling, or demolition of a dwelling or structure, the digging up or the filling in or leveling or contouring of the ground, the breaking of pavements, concrete, stone or foundations, the excavation of streets, the operation of heavy equipment of any kind or the use of blasting or the driving of pile of jacking of pipes within the Town of Hampton before 7 o’clock in the AM or after 7 o’clock in the PM, local time Monday through Friday of any week or before 9 o’clock in the AM or after 5 in the PM local time on any weekend or any holiday.

Section 6. Penalty. Any person found to be in violation of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $100 or more than $250 for each such offense or violation, such sums to inure to the general fund of the Town.

14. What are the requirements for a Stationary Generator?

Supply a plot plan showing the location of the generator in relation to the property lines with the building permit application.