Bolthole Index

Sullivan County, New Hampshire

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Sullivan County, New Hampshire

81Index Score / 100
#3 of 10 in New Hampshire

Sullivan County, New Hampshire does not provide one countywide residential permit process: state code applies to covered construction, but the permit office and process depend on the municipality12. The county directs building and zoning inquiries to the relevant municipality, while NHDES approves septic plans statewide34. Start with the town or city where the parcel lies, not a county building department3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered work; administration depends on the municipality51
Building code
New Hampshire state building and fire codes apply statewide2
Zoning
Parcel rules are municipal; ask the relevant town or city63
Septic permits
NHDES approval is required before construction, subject to stated exceptions7
RV living
Private-parcel occupancy is not confirmed countywide; ask the municipality6
Tiny houses
State law recognizes qualifying tiny houses, subject to municipal land-use rules8
Owner-builder
Only a narrow enforcement exception; not a general code or permit exemption9
Private wells
Ordinary wells have completion reporting; no universal construction permit was confirmed10

Who to call

Also useful

Sullivan County Government

General county administration; the county FAQ directs building, fire and zoning information to municipalities and environmental matters to the state

603-863-2560

5 Nursing Home Dr, 1100 County Offices, Unity, NH 03743

Building permits

City of Claremont Building Safety and Codes Department

Building permits and code administration within the City of Claremont

603-542-7026

58 Opera House Square, Claremont, NH 03743

Septic permits

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), Land Resource Management

State septic-system plan approval and inspection for Sullivan County

(603) 271-3503

29 Hazen Drive | Concord, NH | 03302-0095

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

Yes for work covered by New Hampshire's permit statute: the responsible person must obtain a permit before starting covered construction, and the work must comply with the state building and fire codes52. The practical process still varies by municipality because a town or city with a local enforcement mechanism administers its own permit process111. In a municipality without local enforcement, the state permit system excludes one-family and two-family dwellings, although that exclusion does not erase the statewide code requirements122. Ask the relevant town or city whether it issues the permit, which trade permits are separate, what drawings it requires and what fee schedule applies13.

Who issues building permits in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

Sullivan County's FAQ says building, fire and zoning information is held at the municipal or state level, so the county administration is not the first permit counter for an ordinary parcel3. Contact the town or city where the land is located and ask for its building official, code office or select board1. Claremont has a Building Safety and Codes Department and publishes a building-permit application link, but that office serves Claremont rather than every Sullivan County municipality14. Local permit fees also vary because an enforcement ordinance must contain a fee schedule or authorize the governing body to establish one13. For environmental approvals, Sullivan County directs readers to New Hampshire agencies such as the Department of Environmental Services3.

Does Sullivan County, New Hampshire have zoning?

Parcel zoning is handled at the municipal level in Sullivan County, and the county FAQ directs zoning-record questions to the relevant municipality63. That means setbacks, minimum lot size, lot coverage, building height and minimum dwelling size cannot be answered reliably without the parcel's town or city; ask its planning or zoning office for the current ordinance and map15. New Hampshire law prevents a municipality from excluding manufactured housing completely, although local rules may control where it goes and apply the same reasonable lot and dimensional controls used for conventional homes16. Agricultural buildings are not automatically free of local dimensional, setback, driveway or site requirements, and some new or expanded farm operations may need local approval17.

How do septic permits work in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

NHDES must approve septic plans before construction unless a stated statutory exception applies, and locally approved plans must also be supplied when a local body requires them718. The installed system cannot be covered or used until NHDES or an authorized agent gives final approval19. Sullivan County soils deserve early attention because only 9.2% are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field20. Arrange the site evaluation and design before committing to a house location20. A composting or incinerating toilet avoids department approval only in a structure with neither internal plumbing nor supplied water; adding plumbing and supplied water requires an approved individual sewage-disposal system even if the toilet is not connected to it21. Contact NHDES Land Resource Management for the state process22.

Can you live in an RV or tiny house in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

We could not confirm one countywide rule for living in an RV on a private parcel, so ask the parcel's municipal planning or zoning office before relying on an RV during construction or year-round6. The state campground law addresses facilities with multiple campsites and temporary recreational occupancy; it does not by itself answer private single-parcel residential use23. A qualifying tiny house is different: New Hampshire now recognizes a detached dwelling of 600 square feet or less, excluding lofts, when it meets the state definition and building-code provisions8. A municipality may allow that structure as a single-family dwelling or accessory dwelling unit, but municipal land-use rules and state water and wastewater requirements still apply8.

What are the steps to build a home in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

  1. Identify the parcel's town or city and obtain its current zoning map, dimensional rules and permit checklist615.
  1. Ask the municipal office whether it administers building permits locally and which application, plans, fees and trade permits apply113.
  1. Have the septic site evaluated early and submit the design for NHDES approval before construction720.
  1. Secure any municipal subdivision or planning approval that applies to the parcel before the building application24.
  1. Obtain the building permit before beginning covered work; a building official must act on a complete ordinary application within 30 days525.
  1. Request required inspections before work is concealed, and obtain any locally required certificate of occupancy before moving in2627.

What should you check before buying land in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

Confirm the municipality first, because zoning districts, building administration, setbacks and lot standards are local rather than one uniform county process61. Verify legal road access and ask the town or the state road authority whether a driveway permit is required; we could not confirm one rule covering every Sullivan County road6. Check floodplain status with the municipality because we could not confirm a single countywide development process3. Test the septic concept before choosing a building site: only 9.2% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field20. For a private well, New Hampshire requires the contractor to file a completion record within 90 days, but the reviewed statewide rule does not establish a universal construction permit for every ordinary well10. Finally, budget for an effective property-tax rate near 2.4% and a median annual bill near $5,6162829.

Watch-outs

  • Owning and occupying the residence does not create a general owner-builder exemption from the state building code or all permit and inspection requirements9.
  • A public-sewer connection is generally required when a sewer is within 100 feet, subject to municipal extensions and waivers for approved alternatives30.
  • The Town of Sullivan is in Cheshire County, so do not use that town's rules for a parcel in Sullivan County6.

Sources

  1. NH RSA Chapter 155-A (New Hampshire Building Code) (2026 county census)
  2. RSA 155-A:2 State Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  3. Sullivan County Government (sullivancountynh.gov)
  4. NH Department of Environmental Services - Septic Systems (2026 county census)
  5. Section 155-A:4 Permit Required, quoted and re-checked
  6. NH RSA Chapter 674 (Local Land Use Planning and Regulatory Powers) (2026 county census)
  7. RSA Chapter 485-A: Water Pollution and Waste Disposal, quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 674 Local Land Use Planning and Regulatory Powers, quoted and re-checked
  9. Section 155-A:3 Enforcement mechanism, quoted and re-checked
  10. RSA 482-B:10 Record of Wells; Monitoring Wells (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 155-A New Hampshire Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 155-A New Hampshire Building Code (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 155-A New Hampshire Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Claremont Building Safety and Codes Department (claremontnh.com)
  15. RSA 674:16 Grant of Power, quoted and re-checked
  16. Section 674:32 Manufactured Housing, quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 674:32-a Presumption, quoted and re-checked
  18. RSA 485-A:29 Submission and Approval of Plans and Specifications (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Env-Wq 1004.06 ISDS Inspection Required, quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  21. Env-Wq 1022.05 Composting and Incinerator Toilets, quoted and re-checked
  22. New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), Land Resource Management (des.nh.gov)
  23. Chapter 216-I Recreational Campgrounds and Camping Parks, quoted and re-checked
  24. RSA 674:35 — Power to Regulate Subdivisions (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. RSA 155-A:4 Permit Required (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Saf-C 8100 State Building Permit System (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Saf-C 8104 Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy, quoted and re-checked
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  30. RSA 147:8 Toilets; Drains (New Hampshire statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written September 28, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Sullivan County in New Hampshire

81
County map
Sullivan County highlighted among the New Hampshire counties · colored by Index score

How Sullivan County scores

Seclusion60100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency66100% ev.
Admin Boringness5490% ev.
Durability81100% ev.
Property Autonomy78100% ev.
Carry Cost65100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$392kTypical home
2.4%Property tax
$5,219Land / acre
45.9"Annual rain
2.9% of yrsSevere drought
0.3 / yr (+0.3)Mid-century 100°F days
10.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.83" (+9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,400Home insurance / yr
0.3% / yrInsurance growth
1.07%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
26,604People within 30 min
1,871,950People within 2 hr
62,631Radius comparison (15 mi)
81.7People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
62.8%Land at 15% slope or less
9.2%Septic soil without severe limits
30,069 acWorkable land screen
90.8%Wooded land
62.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
44.2°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Sullivan County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Sullivan County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Zoning in New Hampshire is a municipal power granted to towns and cities under RSA 674:16-18; Sullivan County itself does not zone, but individual towns adopt and enforce their own zoning ordinances.

    NH RSA Chapter 674 (Local Land Use Planning and Regulatory Powers) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

New Hampshire rules that apply here

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and renovation of buildings, building components, and structures in Sullivan County under the New Hampshire state building code.

    • Before starting covered work, the person responsible must obtain a permit.
    • In municipalities that have adopted an enforcement mechanism, the permit must conform to the locally adopted process.
    • No permit may be issued unless the work complies with the state building code.
    • Permit issuance and fees are administered by an authorized county, town, city, or village district; the state fire marshal may provide permitting services where authorized or requested under the statute.
    • A specific exception applies to tents erected as accessory structures on property containing an owner-occupied one- or two-family dwelling.
    “I. Before starting work as described in RSA 155-A:2, I, the person responsible for such construction shall obtain a permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction and renovation subject to New Hampshire's state building code, administered through the state building permit system where the municipality has not adopted a local enforcement mechanism, and buildings owned by the State, the community college system, or the university system.
      “Before starting work as described in RSA 155-A:2, I, the person responsible for such construction shall obtain a permit.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A residence occupied by the owner and the owner's immediate family, but only with respect to paragraph I of RSA 155-A:3, which authorizes the local legislative body to establish a local enforcement agency.

    • The exception applies only to the provisions of paragraph I of RSA 155-A:3; the cited text does not create a general owner-builder exemption from the state building code or all permitting and inspection requirements.
    • The residence must be occupied by the owner and the owner's immediate family.
    • The exception does not apply when the condition of the premises constitutes a clear and imminent danger to the life or health of persons other than the occupant or occupants.
    • All buildings, building components, and structures constructed in New Hampshire otherwise must comply with the state building code and state fire code under RSA 155-A:2(I).
    “The provisions of paragraph I shall not apply to a residence which is occupied by the owner and his or her immediate family, unless the condition of such premises constitutes a clear and imminent danger to the life or health of persons other than the occupant or occupants.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    All buildings, building components, and structures constructed in Sullivan County, including construction, design, maintenance, use, alteration, renovation, rehabilitation, repair, removal, and demolition.

    • The state building code and state fire code apply statewide in New Hampshire.
    • The code in effect when the building-permit application is received remains in effect for the duration of the permitted work.
    • For 6 months after the effective date of a newly adopted code, an applicant may elect to use either the prior code or the newly adopted code, but may not combine the two.
    • The state building code is effective in all municipalities without further local modification, except for modifications permitted by RSA 155-A:3 or another statute.
    • Municipalities with an enforcement mechanism must enforce and comply fully with the state building code without further local modification, except as otherwise permitted by RSA 155-A:3 or another statute.
    • Applicable local building requirements, land-use restrictions, subdivision regulations, use and location restrictions, density and dimensional limitations, and historic-district laws or ordinances may also apply.
    • Local amendments and codes adopted before July 1, 2025 must be submitted for review, and local amendments adopted on or after July 1, 2025 may not be enforced unless confirmed by the building code review board.
    • The state building code does not independently authorize the state to administer or enforce the code for buildings not owned by the state unless otherwise authorized by law.
    “I. All buildings, building components, and structures constructed in New Hampshire shall comply with the state building code and state fire code.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Buildings, building components, and structures constructed in Sullivan County and elsewhere in New Hampshire.
      “All buildings, building components, and structures constructed in New Hampshire shall comply with the state building code and state fire code.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Buildings, building components, and structures constructed in Sullivan County, subject to New Hampshire's statewide building and fire codes and the statutory local enforcement and permit framework.
      “All buildings, building components, and structures constructed in New Hampshire shall comply with the state building code and state fire code.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Buildings, building components, and structures constructed in Sullivan County under New Hampshire's statewide building-code framework.
      “All buildings, building components, and structures constructed in New Hampshire shall comply with the state building code and state fire code. The construction, design, structure, maintenance, and use of all buildings or structures to be erected and the alteration, renovation, rehabilitation, repair, removal, or demolition of all buildings and structures previously erected shall be governed by the provisions of the state building code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Work performed under the scope of building permits issued through the New Hampshire state building permit system.

    • Inspections must be requested by the permit holder.
    • Inspections occur at appropriate times during construction and before work is concealed.
    • If work is noncompliant, correction and re-inspection are required; the permit holder is subject to a re-inspection fee.
    “Required inspections for work performed under the scope of the issued building permits shall be requested by the permit holder and performed by the fire marshal or designee at the appropriate times during the course of construction and prior to concealing any of the work.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Buildings and projects administered under the state building permit system, and municipalities that enact a certificate-of-occupancy requirement under the state building code.

    • Under the state permit system, a certificate of occupancy is issued upon completion of work, compliance inspections under state and local codes, and receipt of required documentation.
    • Municipal regulations may require a certificate of occupancy before use or occupancy of a building or structure erected, remodeled, or undergoing a change or expansion of use.
    • The municipality is responsible for implementing and enforcing a locally enacted certificate-of-occupancy requirement.
    • New Hampshire energy-code compliance certification is required before occupancy when the energy code applies; municipalities without certificates of occupancy use the alternate certification process in Puc 1805.01(c).
    “Upon completion of the work, inspections for compliance with state and local codes by the fire marshal or designee and receipt of required documentation, a certificate of occupancy shall be issued.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Buildings in Sullivan County permitted through the state fire marshal system, and buildings in municipalities that have enacted a certificate-of-occupancy requirement.
      “The regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph I may include a requirement for a certificate of occupancy to be issued prior to the use or occupancy of any building or structure that is erected, remodeled, or undergoes a change or expansion of use subsequent to the effective date of such requirement. The municipality shall be responsible for implementation and enforcement of the requirement under this paragraph.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts established by local legislative bodies under New Hampshire zoning authority; actual district maps and regulations for Sullivan County municipalities were not established by the cited state statute.

    • The statute authorizes local legislative bodies to adopt or amend zoning ordinances.
    • District number, shape, and area are determined locally.
    • The cited state source does not identify the actual zoning districts applicable to any particular Sullivan County parcel or municipality.

    district number, shape, and area: locally determined

    “the local legislative body may divide the municipality into districts of a number, shape and area”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Innovative housing structures, including tiny houses, tiny houses on wheels, and yurts, proposed as dwellings or accessory dwelling units in Sullivan County municipalities.

    • RSA 674:82 defines an innovative housing structure as a unique single residential unit such as a tiny house, tiny house on wheels, or yurt.
    • A tiny house must be 600 square feet or less excluding lofts, comply with the tiny-home provisions of the state building code, and be constructed on a stable ground surface or foundation.
    • A tiny house on wheels is not considered a camp trailer or recreational vehicle when constructed for human habitation.
    • RSA 674:83 is effective September 13, 2026.
    • A municipality may permit the structure on an individual house lot where single-family dwellings are allowed or as an accessory dwelling unit pursuant to RSA 674:72, subject to all applicable land-use requirements.
    • Innovative housing structures must be treated as single-family dwellings or accessory dwelling units for zoning purposes and must meet state laws and regulations governing drinking-water supply and wastewater treatment and disposal.
    • The statute does not establish which Sullivan County municipalities have adopted local permission or additional local requirements.

    tiny house maximum floor area: <= 600 square feet excluding lofts

    “I. A municipality may permit an innovative housing structure to be placed or erected on an individual house lot where single-family dwellings are allowed, or to be used as an accessory dwelling unit pursuant to RSA 674:72, subject to all applicable land use requirements.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Tiny houses, tiny houses on wheels, and yurts used as dwelling units in Sullivan County municipalities, including incorporated towns and unincorporated areas where the applicable municipality allows the use.
      “A municipality may permit an innovative housing structure [...] subject to all applicable land use requirements.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Siting and residential occupancy of manufactured housing in Sullivan County municipalities that adopt land-use control measures.

    • A municipality may choose which statutory location alternative applies: (1) individual lots; (2) manufactured housing parks and subdivisions created for manufactured housing on individually owned lots as a paired option; or (3) all 3 types of locations.
    • The selected location type or types must generally be available in most, but not necessarily all, residentially zoned land areas and lots.
    • Individual-lot manufactured housing must comply with the lot-size, frontage, space, and other reasonable controls applicable to conventional single-family housing in the same district.
    • A special exception or special permit is not required for individual-lot manufactured housing or manufactured-housing subdivisions unless the municipality requires the same approval for comparable single-family housing.
    • Manufactured housing parks must have reasonable and realistic lot-size and overall-density requirements.
    • Municipalities must allow reasonable and realistic expansion opportunities for manufactured housing parks existing as of July 1, 2024, without standards stricter than NFPA 501A for such expansion.
    • A municipality may not completely exclude manufactured housing by regulation, zoning ordinance, or other police power.
    • If a residence has been damaged by fire or other disaster, a manufactured home may be placed on that lot while the residence is rebuilt; occupancy ends 12 months after placement or upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first, and state and local water-supply and sewerage-disposal requirements apply.
    • The statute does not identify the selected alternative for any particular Sullivan County municipality.

    minimum general availability: most, but not necessarily all residentially zoned land areas and lots (municipality's selected statutory alternative) · disaster-rebuild occupancy period: <= 12 months (ends earlier upon certificate of occupancy) · existing manufactured housing park reference date: July 1, 2024 (expansion opportunities)

    “Municipalities shall afford reasonable and realistic opportunities for the siting of manufactured housing as required in subparagraph (b) and a municipality shall not exclude manufactured housing completely from the municipality by regulation, zoning ordinance or by any other police power.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Siting and occupancy of manufactured housing on residential land in municipalities within Sullivan County and elsewhere in New Hampshire.
      “Municipalities shall afford reasonable and realistic opportunities for the siting of manufactured housing as required in subparagraph (b) and a municipality shall not exclude manufactured housing completely from the municipality by regulation, zoning ordinance or by any other police power.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    One accessory dwelling unit per single-family dwelling, including one detached accessory dwelling unit, in Sullivan County municipalities subject to RSA 674:72 and local implementation.

    • A municipality with zoning must allow one accessory dwelling unit as a matter of right in every zoning district permitting single-family dwellings.
    • If a zoning ordinance has no accessory-dwelling provisions, one accessory dwelling unit is deemed a permitted accessory use as a matter of right; no municipal permits or conditions are required other than building permits if required by statute.
    • A municipality may prohibit accessory dwelling units associated with multiple attached single-family dwellings, such as townhouses, and may prohibit accessory dwelling units on rented or leased land.
    • Municipal regulations applicable to single-family dwellings also apply, but may not be more restrictive for accessory dwelling units than for single-family use in the same district.
    • Adequate water supply and sewage disposal must be provided under RSA 485-A:38; a sewage-disposal approval application must be submitted before construction when applicable.
    • A municipality may require owner occupancy of one unit and may require up to one additional parking space per accessory dwelling unit where parking is required for the principal dwelling.
    • The total accessory-dwelling living space may not exceed 950 square feet unless otherwise authorized by the municipality; the municipality may not restrict total living space to less than 750 square feet. This is a limit on the municipality's restriction, not a statewide minimum floor-area requirement.
    • A municipality may not require a familial relationship between occupants and may not limit an accessory dwelling unit to one bedroom.
    • One detached accessory dwelling unit must be permitted under RSA 674:73 and must comply with RSA 674:72, IV through IX.
    • Accessory dwelling units converted from existing structures must be allowed, subject to the statutory eligibility rules for nonconforming setbacks and lot coverage.
    • The cited statutes do not establish the individual Sullivan County municipal ordinances or health-and-safety conditions.

    accessory dwelling units per single-family dwelling: 1 unit (municipality is not required to allow more than one) · default maximum total living space: <= 950 square feet (unless otherwise authorized by municipality) · minimum permitted municipal maximum: >= 750 square feet (limits how low a municipality may set its maximum; not a statewide minimum dwelling size)

    “A municipality that adopts a zoning ordinance pursuant to the authority granted in this chapter shall allow accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings. One accessory dwelling unit, which may be either attached or detached, shall be allowed as a matter of right.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Accessory dwelling units associated with single-family dwellings in New Hampshire municipalities, including municipalities in Sullivan County.
      “A municipality that adopts a zoning ordinance pursuant to the authority granted in this chapter shall allow accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings. One accessory dwelling unit, which may be either attached or detached, shall be allowed as a matter of right.”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    Statewide administration of sewage and waste disposal system approvals in New Hampshire.

    • The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services approves sewage and waste disposal plans.
    • Applicants must also submit locally approved plans where required by local planning boards or other local bodies.
    • DES may delegate inspections to municipal health officers, building inspectors, or other qualified local officials.
    “In all cases involving inspection of sewage or waste disposal systems in cities or towns which employ a full time health officer and/or building inspector, the department may delegate to such officer or inspector the responsibility for inspecting the proposed system as required under paragraph I of this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — Subsurface sewage and waste disposal systems in Sullivan County and statewide New Hampshire.
      “The health officer may make, in the manner provided in RSA 147:1, such regulations as necessary to ensure the safety and adequacy of subsurface sanitary disposal systems within the municipality. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority conferred upon the department of environmental services under RSA 485-A.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a building from which sewage or other wastes will discharge, or construction of a sewage or waste disposal system, including systems in Sullivan County.

    • Prior NHDES approval of plans and specifications is required before construction.
    • Local government water-supply and sewage-disposal requirements may require prior local approval and written certification.
    • A replacement system in failure is exempt from the local-compliance certification requirement in RSA 485-A:32, II-a.
    • No plans and specifications are required when the proposed system will connect to a public sewer system under RSA 485-A:33, I.
    • Repair or replacement in-kind may qualify for a permit by rule only if the RSA 485-A:33, IV criteria are met.
    “This exemption in no way relieves any person from responsibility for obtaining approval under this chapter for construction of individual or other sewage or waste disposal systems or both in any exempted lots.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction of a building from which sewage or other wastes will discharge, or construction of a sewage or waste disposal system, statewide in New Hampshire.
      “No person shall construct any building from which sewage or other wastes will discharge or construct a sewage or waste disposal system without prior approval of the plans and specifications of the sewage or waste disposal system by the department.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Construction, operation, and maintenance of subsurface sewage disposal systems statewide in New Hampshire.

    • Final inspection and approval are required before a system is covered or placed in operation.
    • DES may delegate proposed-system inspections to qualified municipal officials.
    • Septic tanks must be inspected for sludge and surface-scum accumulation at a frequency sufficient to permit pumping when the combined thickness reaches one-third or more of tank depth.
    • The quoted operating rule is Env-Wq 1023.01.

    combined sludge and surface scum threshold: >= 1 third of tank depth

    “Septic tanks shall be inspected for accumulation of sludge and surface scum at a frequency sufficient to allow the tank to be pumped by a licensed septage hauler when the combined thickness of the sludge and surface scum equal 1/3 or more of the tank depth.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Constructed individual sewage disposal systems in Sullivan County and statewide New Hampshire.
      “The constructed sewage or waste disposal systems shall be in strict accordance with approved plans, and the facilities shall not be covered or placed in operation without final inspection and approval by an authorized agent of the department.”
    • Required — Septic tanks operating in Sullivan County and statewide New Hampshire.
      “Septic tanks shall be inspected for accumulation of sludge and surface scum at a frequency sufficient to allow the tank to be pumped by a licensed septage hauler when the combined thickness of the sludge and surface scum equal 1/3 or more of the tank depth.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Composting or incinerator toilets in structures in Sullivan County and statewide New Hampshire.

    • The structure must have no internal plumbing and no supplied water service to avoid department approval.
    • If the structure has internal plumbing and water service from a drilled well, internal or external water storage tank, or municipal water system, an ISDS with NHDES operational approval is required even if the toilet is not connected to the ISDS.
    • Maintenance and operation must follow the manufacturer's standards and specifications.
    • Waste disposal must comply with applicable state rules and local law.
    • The rules state an effective date of February 1, 2026 and expiration date of February 1, 2036.
    “Composting toilets and incinerator toilets in structures that do not have internal plumbing and that do not have a supplied water service to the building shall not require approval by the department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Composting or incinerator toilets in New Hampshire structures.
      “Composting toilets and incinerator toilets in structures that do not have internal plumbing and that do not have a supplied water service to the building shall not require approval by the department.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Private and other water wells constructed in New Hampshire, including special requirements for open-loop geothermal wells.

    • Within 90 days after completion, the water well contractor must provide the New Hampshire Water Well Board a well completion record containing the specified location, construction, yield, use, and contractor information.
    • Open-loop geothermal wells require a groundwater discharge permit under Env-Wq 402.33 through Env-Wq 402.36.
    • The reviewed sources establish reporting and special-purpose permit requirements; they do not establish a universal construction permit requirement for every ordinary private well.

    well completion record deadline: 90 days after completion

    “An owner of an open loop geothermal well shall obtain a groundwater discharge permit in accordance with Env-Wq 402.33 through Env-Wq 402.36.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Buildings occupied or used for dwelling, office, store, theater, public hall, sleeping apartment, or tourist cabin in New Hampshire.

    • Connection to a public sewer is required if one is within 100 feet.
    • If no public sewer is within 100 feet, wastewater must be conveyed underground or in another non-offensive manner.
    • Cities, towns, and village districts may increase the 100-foot distance by ordinance or regulation.
    • Local municipal health officials may approve privies and may require further DES approval.
    • Municipalities may grant waivers for adequate alternative sewage systems complying with state and local rules and approved for construction by DES after January 1, 1985.

    public sewer connection distance: <= 100 feet (Municipalities may increase the distance by ordinance or regulation.)

    “unless said building shall be provided with suitable drains or sewers for conveying waste water and sewage away from the premises into some public sewer, if there be one within 100 feet thereof, and if not, for conveying it away underground or in some other manner that will not be offensive.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    New, re-established, or expanded agricultural operations and activities subject to local building and site requirements in New Hampshire.

    • Agricultural operations are not categorically exempt from dimensional standards, setbacks, driveway and traffic regulations, parking, noise, odor, vibration, or sign regulations.
    • A waiver may be required where literal application would effectively prohibit an agricultural use allowed by the statute or would otherwise be unreasonable in the agricultural context.
    • The waiver requires due notice and hearing by the board of adjustment, building code board of appeals, or other applicable local board.
    • The waiver must be limited to the extent necessary to reasonably permit the agricultural use or activity.
    • No waiver is required if it would have a demonstrated adverse effect on public health or safety or on the value of adjacent property.
    • The waiver continues only while the property is utilized for the permitted agricultural use or activity.
    • RSA 147 health-and-safety findings and the duties of the Department of Environmental Services under RSA 485 or RSA 485-A, and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets, and Food under Title XL, are preserved.
    • The statute does not affect regulation of sludge or septage.

    approval mechanism: waiver after due notice and hearing (only to the extent necessary to reasonably permit the agricultural use or activity) · adverse-effect limitation: demonstrated adverse effect on public health or safety, or on the value of adjacent property (waiver unavailable where this limitation applies)

    “the board of adjustment, building code board of appeals, or other applicable local board, after due notice and hearing, shall grant a waiver”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Normal agricultural operations in Sullivan County that would otherwise require a permit under RSA 485-A:17 for alteration of terrain.
      “Normal agricultural operations shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.”
    • Conditional — Agricultural operations and activities in Sullivan County where local zoning does not explicitly address the agricultural operation or activity, and to existing agricultural uses qualifying under RSA 674:32-a.
      “such operations or activities shall be deemed to be permitted there, as either a primary or accessory use”
    • Conditional — Agricultural operations or activities in Sullivan County where the activity is defined in RSA 21:34-a and is not explicitly addressed in the applicable zoning district or location.
      “respect to any zoning district or location, such operations or activities shall be deemed to be permitted there, as either a primary or accessory use”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in New Hampshire municipalities that have authorized planning-board subdivision jurisdiction under RSA 674:35.

    • Municipal authorization by ordinance or resolution is required.
    • The planning board acts under the enactment procedures of RSA 675:6.
    • The municipality may authorize preliminary review and approval or disapproval of subdivision plats and related street and utility plans.
    • The planning board may not limit the number of building permits except through the statutory timing, phased-development, or moratorium mechanisms identified in RSA 674:35, III.
    • The planning board retains authority to deny a subdivision application because it is scattered or premature.

    authorization instrument: ordinance or resolution · enactment procedure: RSA 675:6

    “The planning board of a municipality shall have the authority to regulate the subdivision of land under the enactment procedures of RSA 675:6.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision of land in Sullivan County municipalities under New Hampshire's municipal planning-board framework.
      “The planning board of a municipality shall have the authority to regulate the subdivision of land under the enactment procedures of RSA 675:6.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term-rental advertising and operation in Sullivan County, subject to state meals-and-rooms taxation and applicable local zoning.

    • Any print, display, publication, distribution, or online advertisement must include the operator's meals-and-rooms license number.
    • The operator has an obligation to obtain a meals-and-rooms license and pay the meals-and-rooms tax.
    • The statute states it does not alter compliance obligations under local zoning ordinances.
    • Violations may result in warning and possible revocation, suspension, or denial of the operator's license.

    meals and rooms license number in advertisement: true

    “Any advertisement for a short-term rental [...] shall include the meals and rooms license number of the operator”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    State building permit fees collected by the state fire marshal under the state building permit system.

    • Applies to construction and renovation of buildings and structures, except one- and two-family dwellings, in municipalities that have not adopted a local enforcement mechanism for the state building code, and to buildings and structures owned by the State, the community college system, or the university system.
    • Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire protection work.
    • New commercial construction building permit fee is $0.30 per gross square foot.
    • Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees are calculated by contracted construction cost and are not less than $75.
    • Fire protection system permit fee is $1.00 per device with a $35 minimum.
    • Re-inspection fees are $100 for building and fire protection permits; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical re-inspection fees are 10% of the calculated fee, not less than $100 and not more than $500.
    • Fees for other structures and uses are $1.00 per gross square foot with a $35 minimum; re-inspection fee is $100.

    new commercial building permit fee: 0.3 USD per gross square foot · electrical/plumbing/mechanical minimum permit fee: >= 75 USD · fire protection system permit fee: per 1 USD per device (minimum $35) · building/fire protection re-inspection fee: 100 USD per re-inspection · other structures and uses building permit fee: 1 USD per gross square foot (minimum $35)

    “The building permit fee shall be $.30 per gross square foot;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Building permit, inspection, and certificate-of-occupancy fees under New Hampshire's state building code, including Sullivan County municipalities that administer the code.
      “A schedule of fees, or a provision authorizing the governing body to establish fees”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Construction subject to New Hampshire’s state building code and building-permit requirements.

    • Before starting covered construction, the responsible person must obtain a permit.
    • In municipalities with an enforcement mechanism, the permit follows the locally adopted process.
    • The building official must approve or deny a completed application within 30 days; nonresidential applications or residential applications for more than 10 dwelling units must be approved or denied within 60 days.
    • State fire marshal applications must be filed at least 30 days before the intended construction start date when the state building permit system applies.
    • Applications require the prescribed form, property and applicant information, permit type, use and occupancy, work description, square footage, design-professional information, construction documents, and municipal planning or zoning approval when warranted.

    ordinary completed application decision deadline: 30 days (nonresidential applications or residential applications encompassing more than 10 dwelling units: 60 days) · state fire marshal application filing deadline: >= 30 days before intended construction start

    “Upon the submission of a completed application, the building official shall act to approve or deny a building permit within 30 days;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Construction, alteration, renovation, repair, removal, or demolition of buildings and structures in Sullivan County, subject to local enforcement arrangements.
      “The building official shall have the authority to: [...] Issue building permits”
  • Campground & park staysTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicles used at New Hampshire recreational campgrounds or camping parks, including any such facility in Sullivan County.

    • A recreational campground or camping park is for temporary occupancy for recreational dwelling purposes only, not permanent year-round residency.
    • Recreational trailers are defined as temporary dwellings for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use, not primarily for permanent dwelling.
    • Each recreational-vehicle campsite must provide at least 1,000 square feet, with or without connections to an approved sewage disposal system.
    • An approved disposal system, required toilet facilities, and sanitary-station or individual-sewage-connection arrangements are required under RSA 216-I:4.
    • Campers must register and may not remain beyond the departure date recorded at registration without the campground owner's consent.
    • The occasional commercial or noncommercial use of recreational vehicles on a parcel for not more than 7 days in a calendar year is excepted from the chapter, except for RSA 216-I:4, II; the landowner or responsible party must file a statement of compliance with the municipality within 7 days before each use.
    • The 7-day exception does not limit municipal authority to enforce local zoning and health-and-safety regulations.
    • The statute also provides an agricultural-fair exception, subject to RSA 216-I:4, II and a compliance statement filed with the municipality within 7 days before the event.
    • This state rule does not establish the Sullivan County municipalities' individual zoning or health-and-safety rules.

    RV campsite minimum area: >= 1000 square feet (per recreational-vehicle campsite) · occasional parcel use exception: <= 7 days per calendar year (compliance statement required within 7 days before each use)

    “"Recreational campground or camping park" means a parcel of land on which 2 or more campsites are occupied or are intended for temporary occupancy for recreational dwelling purposes only, and not for permanent year-round residency, excluding recreation camps as defined in RSA 170-E:55, I.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Temporary only (with conditions) — Recreational-vehicle occupancy in New Hampshire recreational campgrounds or camping parks, including any such facility in Sullivan County.
      ““Recreational campground or camping park” means a parcel of land on which 2 or more campsites are occupied or are intended for temporary occupancy for recreational dwelling purposes only, and not for permanent year-round residency, excluding recreation camps as defined in RSA 170-E:55, I.”
    • Limited — Temporary camping in New Hampshire recreational campgrounds or camping parks, including facilities in Sullivan County.
      “Except as provided in RSA 216-I:4, II, this chapter shall not apply to the occasional commercial or noncommercial use of recreational vehicles on parcels of lands if the parcels are used for not more than 7 days in any calendar year; however, the owner of the land or the party responsible for the land shall file a statement of compliance with the governing body for the municipality in which the parcel is located, stating the method of compliance with RSA 216-I:4, II, within 7 days prior to the commencement of each use.”
    • Temporary only (with conditions) — Recreational vehicles placed at New Hampshire recreational campgrounds or camping parks.
      “intended for temporary occupancy for recreational dwelling purposes only, and not for permanent year-round residency”
  • county building authorityLimited

    County building-permit authority for buildings erected on leased land within unincorporated towns or unorganized places.

    • The county must be a county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places.
    • The building must be erected on leased land located within an unincorporated town or unorganized place.
    • The county planning board must require the building permit under RSA 674:41(IV).
    • The county must, by resolution, authorize the planning board to issue building permits under this paragraph.
    • The permit is required regardless of the building's proximity to any street or highway.
    • Separately, RSA 155-A:4(I) requires the person responsible for covered construction to obtain a permit before starting work, and RSA 155-A:4(V) bars issuance of a building or occupancy permit for construction, remodeling, or maintenance that does not comply with applicable zoning ordinances, building codes, or planning-board regulations.
    • The state building code applies statewide, while RSA 155-A:3 describes local enforcement mechanisms as municipal and reserves permit and fee administrative amendments to municipalities.
    “every building which is erected on leased land [...] to have a building permit.”

Inside cities and towns in Sullivan County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and occupancy of manufactured homes on private property in the Town of Newport, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

    • Private-property placement is allowed in districts specifically zoned for manufactured homes as living accommodations and in an approved manufactured-home park or subdivision, subject to foundation, storage-building, and enclosure requirements.
    • Placement is also allowed in an approved manufactured-home sales lot.
    • A manufactured home or travel trailer may be located at a construction site only upon Zoning Board of Adjustment special-exception approval, for no more than one year; one additional one-year extension may be granted.
    • All manufactured homes must comply with the HUD 1976 standards and the cited 1982 NC5BCS standards.

    construction-site occupancy period: <= 1 year (One additional one-year extension may be granted by the Board of Adjustment.) · additional extension: 1 year (Available only by Board of Adjustment approval.)

    “An additional extension of one year may be granted by the Board of Adjustment.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Local zoning — Zoning ordinances adopted by municipalities within Sullivan County, including their district maps and use tables.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling-size requirements in Sullivan County, including municipal and zoning-district rules.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size requirements in Sullivan County, including municipal subdivision and zoning-district rules.
  • Setbacks — Setback requirements in Sullivan County, including municipal and zoning-district rules.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Sullivan County, including municipal and zoning-district rules.
3 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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.

Living off-grid in Sullivan County, New Hampshire

Is Sullivan County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Sullivan County scores 81/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

Sullivan County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Subsurface Systems Bureau. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

Land in Sullivan County runs about $5,219 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Sullivan County?

Sullivan County gets about 45.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.9% of years.

How remote is Sullivan County?

A representative private-land location has about 26,604 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,871,950 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Sullivan compares in New Hampshire

Compare side-by-side →See all 10 New Hampshire counties ranked →