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New Hampshire starters

A starter is a ready-made application type. Adopting one copies a complete permit into your settings: its form, its fee schedule, its conditions, its inspection checklists, the letters and permit it prints, and the deadlines state law attaches to it. Use this page to decide which starters your town needs before you adopt them, and to see what each one asks of an applicant.

Before you adopt​

The fees in every starter are examples written for the fictional Town of Alder Pond. Change each amount to your own fee schedule before you take a real application.

Adopting publishes the new application type right away, so it is live as soon as you adopt it. Set its fees, form and letters under Settings before you tell the public it is there.

A later release of Chiban can improve a starter you have already adopted. Check adopted starters for updates, at the foot of the Starter templates page, lists the changes. Tick the ones you want, and everything you leave unticked stays as your town has it.

Adopting a starter needs the permission to edit configuration, which administrators have.

How to adopt a starter​

  1. Go to Settings, then Starter templates.
  2. Find the starter under Ready to adopt and choose Adopt this starter.
  3. Open Settings, Fee schedules and set your town's amounts.
  4. Read through the form under Settings, Forms and the letters under Settings, Templates, and change anything that does not match how your office works.

How to read the catalog​

Each entry gives the type of proceeding, whether a board hears it, and the letters its application numbers start with. It then lists the fees, the documents the applicant provides, the inspections, and the deadlines Chiban tracks.

Fees are written the way you would quote them at the counter, with when each one falls due. A fee "due with notice" is charged when staff issue the abutter list, because that is when the number of abutters is known.

Each document shows when it is needed. A document needed "to file" must be in before the application can be submitted. "When it applies" means the form asks a question first, and only some answers call for the document.

The inspections are the checklists that come with the permit. The deadlines are the state and town clocks that start on applications of this type, and each one is explained on deadlines and holidays.

Building and trade permits​

Building or demolition permit​

  • Type: Building permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with BP.
  • Fees:
    • Building permit fee: $0.35 per sq ft of finished area, plus $0.20 per sq ft of unfinished area, plus $0.40 per sq ft of commercial area, at least $40, doubled when “Work started before permit” is checked. Due at approval.
    • Permit renewal fee: $45. Due at renewal.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plot plan (to file)
    • Construction drawings to scale (to file, when it applies)
    • Truss or engineered lumber data, or an engineer’s stamp (to file, optional)
    • Energy code compliance form (to file, when it applies)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • State septic approval (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit or exemption letter (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit or exemption letter (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Driveway permit and E-911 address (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Prior Zoning Board or Planning Board approvals (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • NHDES asbestos notification (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Utility disconnect confirmations (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Where the demolition debris will go (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
  • Inspections:
    • Footing inspection
    • Foundation inspection
    • Framing inspection
    • Insulation inspection
    • Final inspection
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Building permit decision deadline
    • Regional impact comment period
    • Building permit exercise-by date

Electrical permit​

  • Type: Trade permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with EL.
  • Fees:
    • Electrical permit fee: $45, doubled when “Work started before permit” is checked. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Homeowner affidavit for electrical work (to file, when it applies)
  • Inspections:
    • Electrical rough inspection
    • Electrical final inspection

Plumbing permit​

  • Type: Trade permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with PL.
  • Fees:
    • Plumbing permit fee: $45, doubled when “Work started before permit” is checked. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Homeowner affidavit for plumbing work (to file, when it applies)
  • Inspections:
    • Plumbing rough inspection
    • Plumbing final inspection

Mechanical and gas permit​

  • Type: Trade permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with MG.
  • Fees:
    • Mechanical and gas permit fee: $45, doubled when “Work started before permit” is checked. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Homeowner affidavit for fuel gas work (to file, when it applies)
  • Inspections:
    • Mechanical and gas rough inspection
    • Mechanical and gas final inspection

Septic or sewer cap-off permit​

  • Type: Trade permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with SC.
  • Fees:
    • Septic or sewer cap-off permit fee: $45, doubled when “Work started before permit” is checked. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Utility disconnect confirmation (to file, optional)
  • Inspections:
    • Cap-off final inspection

Planning Board applications​

Site plan review (major)​

  • Type: Site plan review. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with SPR.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $250. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plat or site plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Waiver requests (to file, optional)
    • Prior ZBA decisions (to file, when it applies)
    • Project narrative (to file)
    • Stormwater and erosion control plan (to file)
    • Lighting plan (to file)
    • Landscaping plan (to file)
    • Alteration of Terrain permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • NHDOT driveway permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Traffic or drainage study (before the decision, optional)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Minor site plan​

  • Type: Site plan review. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with MSP.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $100. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plat or site plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Waiver requests (to file, optional)
    • Prior ZBA decisions (to file, when it applies)
    • Project narrative (to file)
    • Stormwater and erosion control plan (to file)
    • Lighting plan (to file)
    • Landscaping plan (to file)
    • Alteration of Terrain permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • NHDOT driveway permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Traffic or drainage study (before the decision, optional)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Site plan amendment or change of use​

  • Type: Site plan review. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with SPA.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $75. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plat or site plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Waiver requests (to file, optional)
    • Prior ZBA decisions (to file, when it applies)
    • Project narrative (to file)
    • Stormwater and erosion control plan (to file)
    • Lighting plan (to file)
    • Landscaping plan (to file)
    • Alteration of Terrain permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • NHDOT driveway permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Traffic or drainage study (before the decision, optional)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Subdivision (major)​

  • Type: Subdivision or lot line adjustment. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with SUB.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $200, plus $50 per lot. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plat or site plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Waiver requests (to file, optional)
    • Prior ZBA decisions (to file, when it applies)
    • NHDES subdivision approval (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Alteration of Terrain permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • NHDOT driveway permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Traffic or drainage study (before the decision, optional)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Minor subdivision​

  • Type: Subdivision or lot line adjustment. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with MSUB.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $100, plus $50 per lot. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plat or site plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Waiver requests (to file, optional)
    • Prior ZBA decisions (to file, when it applies)
    • NHDES subdivision approval (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Alteration of Terrain permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • NHDOT driveway permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Traffic or drainage study (before the decision, optional)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Lot line adjustment​

  • Type: Subdivision or lot line adjustment. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with LLA.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $75. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plat or site plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Waiver requests (to file, optional)
    • Prior ZBA decisions (to file, when it applies)
    • Alteration of Terrain permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Wetlands permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Shoreland permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • NHDOT driveway permit (before the decision, when it applies)
    • Traffic or drainage study (before the decision, optional)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Conditional use permit​

  • Type: Conditional use permit. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with CUP.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $100. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Project narrative (to file)
    • Site sketch (to file)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Design review​

  • Type: Design review. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with DR.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $50. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Project narrative (to file)
    • Site sketch (to file)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice

More than one dwelling on a lot​

  • Type: Conditional use permit. The Planning Board decides it. Numbers start with MDL.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $100. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Plot plan (to file)
    • Unit density calculation sheet (to file)
    • Authority for inspection or examination of land (to file)
    • State-approved, signed septic design (before the decision, when it applies)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Planning Board filing deadline before the acceptance meeting
    • Planning Board completeness determination
    • Planning Board decision deadline
    • Planning Board mailed notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision
    • Court appeal of a Planning Board decision after the ZBA component
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Zoning Board of Adjustment applications​

Variance​

  • Type: Variance. The Zoning Board of Adjustment decides it. Numbers start with VAR.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $150. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
    • Published notice: $75. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plot plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Zoning officer’s letter or decision (to file)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • ZBA hearing deadline
    • ZBA decision deadline
    • ZBA mailed notice
    • ZBA published notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Motion for rehearing of a ZBA decision
    • Court appeal after a denied ZBA rehearing
    • Amendment window after a late filing
    • Variance or special exception exercise deadline

Special exception​

  • Type: Special exception. The Zoning Board of Adjustment decides it. Numbers start with SE.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $150. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
    • Published notice: $75. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plot plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Zoning officer’s letter or decision (to file)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • ZBA hearing deadline
    • ZBA decision deadline
    • ZBA mailed notice
    • ZBA published notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Motion for rehearing of a ZBA decision
    • Court appeal after a denied ZBA rehearing
    • Amendment window after a late filing
    • Variance or special exception exercise deadline

Equitable waiver of dimensional requirement​

  • Type: Equitable waiver of dimensional requirement. The Zoning Board of Adjustment decides it. Numbers start with EW.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $150. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
    • Published notice: $75. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plot plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Zoning officer’s letter or decision (to file)
    • As-built survey (to file)
    • Permit history (to file, optional)
    • Proof of how long the violation has existed (to file, when it applies)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • ZBA hearing deadline
    • ZBA mailed notice
    • ZBA published notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Motion for rehearing of a ZBA decision
    • Court appeal after a denied ZBA rehearing
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Appeal of administrative decision​

  • Type: Appeal of administrative decision. The Zoning Board of Adjustment decides it. Numbers start with AAD.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: $100. Due at intake.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
    • Published notice: $75. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Plot plan (to file)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)
    • Copy of the decision appealed (to file)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • ZBA hearing deadline
    • ZBA decision deadline
    • ZBA mailed notice
    • ZBA published notice
    • Regional impact certified notice
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Motion for rehearing of a ZBA decision
    • Court appeal after a denied ZBA rehearing
    • Amendment window after a late filing

Motion for rehearing​

  • Type: Motion for rehearing. The Zoning Board of Adjustment decides it. Numbers start with RH.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee: no charge.
    • Mailed notice to abutters: $10 per abutter on the notice list. Due with notice.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Motion for rehearing (to file)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Minutes and written decision filing deadline
    • Regional impact minutes and plans transmittal
    • Court appeal after a denied ZBA rehearing

Local permits and registrations​

Driveway permit​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with DW.
  • Fees:
    • Driveway permit fee: $50. Due at approval.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Driveway sketch (to file)
    • Engineered drawings (to file, when it applies)
  • Inspections:
    • Driveway final inspection

Sign permit​

  • Type: Local zoning permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with SG.
  • Fees:
    • Sign permit fee: $25. Due at approval.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Scaled drawing of the sign (to file)
    • Site sketch with setbacks (to file)
    • Landowner permission (to file, when it applies)

Home occupation permit​

  • Type: Local zoning permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with HO.
  • Fees:
    • Home occupation permit fee: $75. Due at approval.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Floor plan of the area used for the business (to file)
    • Parking sketch (to file)

Alarm system registration​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with AR.
  • Fees:
    • Alarm system registration fee: $15. Due at intake.
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Registration expiration

Street address assignment​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with SA.
  • Fees:
    • Street address assignment fee: no charge.

Certificate of occupancy request​

  • Type: Local zoning permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with CO.
  • Fees:
    • Certificate of occupancy request fee: $50. Due at approval.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • State septic approval to operate (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • Potable water test results (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
    • E-911 address assignment (before the permit is issued)
    • Blower door test result (before the permit is issued, when it applies)
  • Inspections:
    • Occupancy walkthrough

Temporary structure permit​

  • Type: Local zoning permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with TS.
  • Fees:
    • Temporary structure permit fee: $30. Due at approval.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Site sketch (to file)
    • Flameproofing certificate (to file, when it applies)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Temporary structure removal date

Short-term rental registration​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with STR.
  • Fees:
    • Short-term rental registration fee: $100. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Septic approval that matches the bedrooms offered (to file, when it applies)
  • Deadlines Chiban tracks:
    • Registration expiration

Voluntary merger of lots​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with VMG.
  • Fees:
    • Voluntary merger of lots fee: $50. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Deeds for each lot (to file)
    • Signed notice of merger (to file)
    • Written notice to each mortgage holder (to file, when it applies)
    • Written consent of each mortgage holder (before the decision, when it applies)

Restoration of involuntarily merged lots​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with IML.
  • Fees:
    • Restoration of involuntarily merged lots fee: $50. Due at intake.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Supporting records (to file, optional)
    • Proof of legal title (to file, optional)

Residential energy code certificate​

  • Type: Local permit or registration. No board hears it. Numbers start with EC.
  • Fees:
    • Residential energy code certificate fee: no charge.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Completed EC-1 certificate of compliance (to file)
    • REScheck or performance report (to file, when it applies)
    • Owner authorization (to file, when it applies)

Temporary use permit​

  • Type: Local zoning permit. No board hears it. Numbers start with TUP.
  • Fees:
    • Temporary use permit fee: $25. Due at approval.
  • Documents the applicant provides:
    • Sketch of the setup (to file)
    • Property owner consent (to file, when it applies)