• The American Wood Council dictates the regulations on Decks and Stairs. Below are some requirements and a link to the reference. 
  • Stairs:
    • Treads are to be at a minimum 10"
    • Risers are to be no more than 7 3/4"
    • Nose is to be between 3/4" to 1 1/4"  rounded
    • Hand rails are required on stairs with 4 or more raisers
  • Decks
    • Decks over 30 inches shall require guard railings
    • Baluster spacing is 4"
• awc-dca62012-deckguide-1405.pdf

• The primary purpose of the egress window is to provide an occupant with an alternate escape route when fire or smoke blocks the primary means of escape from the dwelling unit.  The egress window is required when the building lacks an automatic sprinkler system or a door remote from the primary means of escape. 
  • For more information please click the link below to review the Division of Fire Safety's Information Bulletin.
• 2019-01secondarymeansofescape-windowsanddoors.pdf

• An ADU is a residential living unit that is within a single-family dwelling (attached ADU) OR within an accessory structure (detached ADU), and meets the requirements set forth in Stratham’s Zoning Ordinance. ADU's offer several benefits for homeowners including allowing a separate living space for relatives or can be rented or leased in the real estate market.
• To see if you qualify for one click on our Fact Sheet below.
• adu_fact_sheet_with_zo_5.4.pdf

• To schedule simply call the office at 603-772-7391 ext. 180 Monday through Friday 8 to 4.
• The optimal time to schedule an inspection is 48 hrs prior to completion of a job. Some projects require multiple inspections and the inspector requires the contractor to be there through those stages.  Oftentimes the preferred method is to ask what the schedule looks like when applying for a permit and most likely we can schedule right then and there.

• Simple answer is yes on a Single Family House ONLY. If you live in duplex, condo or any other type of dwelling you will need to hire a licensed professional contractor.
  • We provide an affidavit that you can fill out and sign when you apply for an electrical permit, stating that you will perform your own work in your own house only. Click link below.
• Best answer: Not recommended. Are you up to date with the ICC National Codes? Sure, you can google the answers but that doesn’t make you a licensed electrician or plumber? Are the small savings from not hiring a licensed electrician or plumber worth the investment you put into your house and the cost of Lawyer fees if someone gets hurt from your work?

• Yes it is required. Click the link below to review that code.
  • https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ispsc2018/chapter-3-general-compliance

• Its the contractors and owners responsibility to search the codes. Great news! It's completely free to search those codes. Click the link below to review those codes.
  • https://www.nh.gov/safety/boardsandcommissions/bldgcode/nhstatebldgcode.html

• Well, that depends. Ordinary repairs listed below do not require a permit.
  • Floor coverings such as carpet, vinyl planking, hardwood…etc.
  • Painting or Wallpaper
  • Interior trim
  • Direct replacement of cabinets and counter tops

Please review the link: Building Permit Application Guidelines for the requirements for a complete application. Our staff is happy to assist you throughout the building permit application and review process. Contact the Planning & Building Department with any additional questions or if you need assistance.

In order to obtain a permit, the following information must be submitted to the Building Department to be considered a completed application:

• Completed Building Permit Application(s) with all applicable supporting documents.
• Completed Checklist
• All fees paid. Fees to include the Application Possessing Fee & Permit Fee. (Please refer to the Building Department fee Schedule.)
• Review times are estimates and begin once all required application materials and supporting documentation have been submitted, and the application is deemed complete. Processing times may vary depending on project complexity, application volume, and the need for additional information or approvals.

Once a complete building permit application has been received, the following estimated review and processing times apply:

• Residential Minor Repairs and Upgrades: 5–10 business days
• Residential Additions and Remodels: 2–4 weeks
• Residential New Construction: Up to 30 days
• Commercial Additions, Alterations, Renovations, and New Construction: Up to 60 days

• There are two routes you can take to apply for a permit.
  • First is you can simply go onto the Towns website by clicking the link below and selecting the appropriate permit application.
  • The second is to swing by the building department office at the town hall and meet our great staff who are more than happy to assist you.
  • Don’t forget every Residential Permit requires plans, drawings, or sketches of the scope work you are having done.

• Stratham Zoning Ordinance 16.2.1 States: Permit Required:  Any person before commencing work on the erection or alteration of any building or structure must first obtain a permit duly granted for such erection or alteration by the Building Inspector.  Before a permit shall be issued by the Building Inspector, he shall determine whether the proposed construction or alterations conforms to all the conditions of this Ordinance. For the construction of agricultural buildings with no public use (public use is defined as use that includes the general public utilizing the proposed structure) there shall be no Planning Board review required and permitting will comply with Appendix C, Group U – Agricultural Buildings found in the NH State Building Code. (Rev. 3/16) 

• Commencing Work Prior to Issuance of a Building Permit (all types of construction) - Any person who is found to have demolished, constructed, altered, removed or changed the use of a building or structure without the benefit of a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical permit shall, upon issuance of said permit(s), be assessed a permit fee of twice the normal rate the permit fee would be, or $100 minimum whichever is greater.