Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Chesterfield, New Hampshire

Town of Chesterfield’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Building work inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Work may not begin until the permit is issued.
  • The published schedule lists exemptions: work exempt under IRC R105.2 or IBC 105.2; reroofing or residing of one- or two-family dwellings or accessory buildings; detached one-story accessory structures of no more than 200 square feet; and specified repairs other than chimneys.

  “No Permit Required: 1. Work exempt from permit as listed in the NH State Building Code. Refer to the International Residential Code (IRC) Section R105.2 or the International Building Code (IBC) Section 105.2 2. Reroofing and/or Residing ± One (1) or two (2) family dwellings or accessory buildings. 3. A Detached one-store accessory structure not over 200 sq. ft. in floor area.”

• Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  An individual constructing, prefabricating, altering, modifying, repairing, or maintaining structures on their own property in Chesterfield.

  • Subject to state statutes and pertinent codes.

  “This Ordinance is not intended to prevent an individual from constructing, prefabricating, altering, modifying, repairing or maintaining structures on his/her property, or from using materials on his/her property for this purpose, subject to the constraints of state statute and pertinent codes.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, demolition, and removal inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Work otherwise covered by the Building Ordinance or Chesterfield Zoning Ordinance is excepted from this provision.
  • The ordinance incorporates editions, amendments, and regulations adopted by New Hampshire under RSA 155A and rental-housing standards under RSA 48-A:14, the 2009 ICC Existing Building Code, or requirements otherwise determined by the Board of Selectmen.

  “All construction, prefabrication, alteration, modification, repairs, maintenance, demolition and/or removal, unless otherwise covered by this ordinance or the Chesterfield Zoning Ordinance, shall be in accordance with the editions of the codes, amendments and regulations as adopted by the State of New Hampshire RSA: 155A, Rental Housing Stands RSA: 48 A-14 and the 2009 edition of the I.C.C Existing Building Code or otherwise determined by the Chesterfield Board of Selectmen.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy of a permitted building or renovated or added area inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Final inspection and approval are required before occupancy.
  • The checklist requires final driveway approval, bacteria results for new wells, 911 numbering, NHDES septic approval for operation, and satisfaction of Planning Board or Zoning Board conditions.

  “NO BUILDING OR STRUCTURE SHALL BE USED OR OCCUPIED WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. THE APPLICANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD BUILDING & ZONING ORDINANCES. ANY ADDITIONAL WORK WILL REQUIRE AN APPROVED BUILDING PERMIT AMENDMENT.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Land use and structures must conform to the zoning ordinance.

  “This ordinance may be known and may be cited as "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Chesterfield, New Hampshire."”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured-housing parks and subdivisions in Chesterfield's Residential District.

  • The use is subject to §300 requirements.

  “In the R District, only the following uses are permitted: A. Single family detached dwellings. B. Two family dwellings. C. Multiple family dwellings subject to compliance with Section 403. D. Manufactured Housing Parks and Subdivisions subject to compliance with the requirements of Section 300.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Attached or detached accessory dwelling units on lots in Chesterfield containing one existing single-family dwelling.

  • Only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot.
  • The application asks whether the existing dwelling or ADU will be owner-occupied and whether zoning requirements are met.
  • The application requests state/federal permits when applicable and an NHDES septic approval number.

  maximum ADUs per lot: <= 1 ADU (Lot must contain one existing single-family dwelling.)

  “Please Note: Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted on lots containing one existing single family dwelling unit. Only one Accessory Dwelling Unit is permitted per lot.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Minor site developments exempted under §201.3.C are excepted from the general applicability provision.
  • Final applications must be made to the Chesterfield Planning Board; applications must be filed at least 21 days before a regular meeting and accompanied by required plans, information, and fees.

  application filing lead time: >= 21 days (Before a regular Planning Board meeting.)

  “These regulations apply to all land development in Chesterfield. All subdivisions of land and all development or change or expansion of use of tracts for non-residential uses or for multi-family dwelling units must comply with these regulations, except minor site developments exempted under 201.3.C.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  New driveways serving building projects inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • The building checklist requires a copy of the Highway Superintendent's driveway permit.
  • Certificate of occupancy checklist requires final driveway approval.

  “Items to accompany building permit application: 1) Completed Building Permit Application. 2) Buildable Plans for construction. (Must be the final draft and complete.) 3) Site (plot) plan including property line setbacks. FOR ALL PROJECTS 4) State septic design Approval for Construction when applicable. 5) Copy of Driveway permit from Highway Superintendent for new driveways.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Required documents and permit fee must be received before processing.
  • Upon completed submission, the building inspector acts within 30 days.
  • The construction checklist lists plans, a site plan, state septic approval when applicable, new-driveway approval, other state/federal permits, zoning variance if required, and fees.

  building-inspector decision period: <= 30 days (After submission of a completed application.)

  “Permits will not be processed until all required documents and permit fee are received. Upon the submission of a completed application, the building inspector shall act to approve or deny a building permit within 30 days.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Chesterfield

Town of Chesterfield does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Residential District (R) inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Two-family dwellings require four acres; multiple-family dwellings are governed by §§403.1 and 403.2.

  minimum lot area: >= 2 acres (Four acres for a two-family dwelling.)

  “A. Lot Area: Minimum of two acres except four acres for a two family dwelling. Multiple family dwellings are governed by Sections 403.1 and 403.2.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Rural/Agricultural District (R/A) inside Chesterfield town limits.

    “204.4 Area, Frontage and Coverage Requirements All uses shall comply with the following area, frontage and coverage requirements: A. Lot Area: Minimum of five (5) acres.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Residential District (R) inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • Fences and walls are excepted; driveways may cross front setbacks.
  • No building or structure may be within 50 feet of Route 9 or an identified cemetery or burial ground.

  front setback: >= 50 feet · side setback: >= 20 feet · rear setback: >= 20 feet

  “No structures, except fences and walls, shall occupy any yard areas established by the setbacks listed below. Driveways may cross front setbacks. A. Front Setback: 50 feet. B. Side Setbacks: 20 feet. C. Rear Setbacks: 20 feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Rural/Agricultural District (R/A) inside Chesterfield town limits.

    “No structures, except fences and walls, shall occupy any yard areas established by the setbacks listed below. Driveways may cross front setbacks. A. Front Setback: 50 feet. B. Side Setbacks: 20 feet. C. Rear Setbacks: 20 feet.”

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems serving construction inside Chesterfield town limits.

  • The town's building checklist calls for NHDES septic approval when applicable and an NHDES approval for operation before a certificate of occupancy.

  “Items needed for Certificate of Occupancy: 1) Driveway final approval. 2) Water test results for bacteria for new wells. 3) Installation of street number as required for 911. 4) Septic system, Approval for Operation from NHDES. 5) Planning Board and/or Zoning Board conditions have been met.”

• Septic permitLimited

  Building projects in Chesterfield for which an on-site septic system is applicable.

  • The published building checklist requires a state septic design approval for construction when applicable.
  • A certificate of occupancy additionally requires NHDES approval for operation.

  “Items to accompany building permit application: 1) Completed Building Permit Application. 2) Buildable Plans for construction. (Must be the final draft and complete.) 3) Site (plot) plan including property line setbacks. FOR ALL PROJECTS 4) State septic design Approval for Construction when applicable.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Chesterfield or Cheshire County directly.

• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Chesterfield town limits.
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Chesterfield town limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Chesterfield town limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Chesterfield town limits.
• Septic inspection — On-site wastewater systems inside Chesterfield town limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Chesterfield means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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