Code Enforcement & Building Department:

Building Inspector's Office
Lower Level at:
10 Grandview Road
Bow, NH 03304

Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Phone: (603) 228-1189
Fax: (603) 225-2982
or
Click here for contact form

The Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer administers, interprets, and enforces the provisions of the Town's building code, and the State of NH Building Code(s). Building permits and Certificates of Occupancy are obtained through this office.

The Staff in the office are available to help answer any of your questions regarding Permits, Codes, or general construction questions.

Customers may obtain copies of Tax Cards, Tax Maps, Surveys, Copy of Plans if available, etc., at a reasonable cost.

The Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for:

 Receiving applications for Building Permits.

• Reviewing the Construction Documents associated with building permit applications.
• Verifying the compliance of construction documents with applicable building codes, town ordinances and state statutes.
• Issuing building permits.
• Inspecting the work associated with building permits for compliance.
• Issuing Certificates of Occupancy when work is complete and in compliance.

Codes Enforced:

The Town of Bow has adopted the International Residential Code 2000 edition for One and Two-Family Dwellings as of May 9, 2006.

The Town of Bow has authorized the Building Inspector to enforce the State Building Code, which consists of the 2000 editions of the International Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Energy Conservation Code and the 2005 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). In addition, as of July 8, 2006, the 2000 edition of the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings has been included in the State Building Code.

Link to NH State Building Code Review Board

Other codes, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards, are adopted by the State Fire Marshal’s office and are in effect in Bow and throughout New Hampshire. These include, but are not limited to the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 54 Natural Gas Code, NFPA 58 Propane Gas Code, NFPA 31 Oil Burning Equipment Code and the NFPA 72 Fire Alarm Code.

National Fire Protection Association Codes and Standards

NH Public Utilities Commsion Energy Codes

Signage:

Residential Construction Building Permit Fees:

New Homes or Additions: (Permits done In House) This is a sample ONLY!

PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Bow has an additional Inspection Fee of $20.00 that will be charged if the job fails the original inspection, or is not ready for inspection when the Building Inspector arrives.

Miscellaneous Construction:

Demolition or Removal:

For all other residential development (e.g. townhouses, duplexes, multi-families and manufactured houses), the impact fee is based on the number of bedrooms as indicated:

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I get a Building Permit, can you send me an application?

We do not give out applications. Send or bring in all your information to the Building Inspector’s Office, and we will process the permit.

1. Construction plans to scale.
2. Site plan with setbacks from property lines, Well and Septic system. Minimum setbacks for the residential and rural zones are: Road front: 35 ft, Side and Rear: 20 ft, From well: 10 ft, From Septic Tank: 20 ft, From leach field: 35 ft.
3. Estimated cost of construction (excluding land, well and septic system).
4. State approved septic design. (NHDES-Sub-Surface Bureau phone # 271-3501.)
5. Type of heating system and the installation company.
6. Chimney type, with number of flues and fireplaces.
7. Electrician’s name and license number.
8. Plumber’s name and license number.
9. Street address of property.
10. Name and daytime phone number of property owner and builder or contact person.

What is a CO?

A “CO” is a Certificate of Occupancy, which is applied for and issued when all the required inspections are completed satisfactorily. You must receive a CO before you can legally occupy a residence or an addition. We also issue Certificates of Use, which must be received before using a deck or a pool, or any other structure which has received a Building Permit. A Certificate is also required when there is a change in use of an existing building or land, to a use of a different zoning classification according to the Zoning Ordinance’s Table of Use Regulations.

How long does it take to get a Building Permit after I apply?

Generally, you will be called in just one or two days to let you know that your Permit is ready to be picked up.

How much does a Building Permit cost?

For most projects, the fee is based on the square footage, plus a basic rate. Payment is made when the Permit is picked up. If the Permit is for a new house, an Impact Fee is also charged. (See table above.)

How do I know when to call for an inspection?

You will receive instructions with a checklist that explains when inspections are due. Have your Permit Number handy when you call, as we can only schedule inspections when we have that number. Please give us two days advance notice.

Do signs require a Permit?

Yes, according to our Zoning Ordinance, no sign may be erected, placed, replaced, moved, enlarged, illuminated or altered without a Permit. The only exceptions are for construction site identification signs (with restrictions); temporary signs indicating for sale, lease, or rent (one sign per lot, not to exceed 4 square feet); historic marker signs; and incidental signs directing traffic on private property (not to exceed two square feet, and no advertising matter).

What if I am just having my electrical service upgraded?

You still need a Permit, just supply us with the name and license number of the electrician, and a brief description of what is planned.

What is required for installing a swimming pool?

Swimming Pool Requirements

Classification of pools: Any constructed pool which is used, or intended to be used, as a swimming pool in connection with a single family residence and available only to the family of the householder and his private guests shall be classified as a private swimming pool.

Plans: Plans shall accurately show dimensions and construction of the pool and appurtenances and properly established distances to lot lines, buildings, walks, and fences.

Locations: Private swimming pools shall not encroach on any front or side yard required by code, or governing zoning law.

Swimming pool safety devices: Every person owning land on which there is situated a swimming pool, which contains twenty-four (24) inches or more of water in depth at any point, shall erect and maintain thereon an adequate enclosure either surrounding the property or pool area, sufficient to make such body of water inaccessible to small children. Such enclosure, including gates must not be less than (4) feet above the underlying ground and made inaccessible from the outside to small children.

How do I hook up to the municipal sewer system?

You should call the Selectmen’s office for information and fee schedule.

What are the setback requirements?

For most residential property, the setbacks for any structure are 35 ft from the property line fronting a road, and 20 ft from the side and the rear property lines. In the Industrial and Business Development Districts, the setbacks are greater.

How long is a permit good for?

Building Permits automatically expire if the work has not commenced within one year, or if the work has not been completed within a period of two years. If you want to continue construction after that time, you must apply for a renewal.

Effective Date: October 9, 2002

1. Purpose. To establish rules and regulations for the purchase of cemetery plots, interment of the deceased and maintenance of the facilities and grounds.

2. References. RSA 289, RSA 290

3. Cemetery Administration.

• The Board of Selectmen are the cemetery Trustees.
• Determinations of the Cemetery Sexton may be appealed to the Board of the Selectmen.
• The Trustees shall appoint a Cemetery Sexton, who shall report to the Town Manager for operational control. The Cemetery Sexton shall be responsible for the maintenance of cemeteries and enforcement of these rules and regulations, and maintain burial records for each cemetery.

1. The cemeteries will be open to visitors at sunrise and will be closed at sunset. Visitors will not be allowed upon the grounds during the hours of darkness except by the special permission of the Cemetery Sexton.
2. Cemetery roadways are not normally snow plowed.
3. No vehicle shall be operated in any part of the cemeteries except upon the paved or otherwise marked roads and at speeds of not more than 5 miles per hour. All funeral processions, while within the grounds, will be subject to the direction of the Cemetery Sexton.
4. Only persons with cemetery business are permitted on the cemetery grounds. No horse, dogs or other pets are allowed on the grounds unless they are a part of a ceremony.
5. No person shall gather flowers, either wild or cultivated, on the premises, or remove, cut, break, or mark any tree, shrub, or plant other than as part of maintenance; or mark upon, deface or injure any monument or any other structure on the grounds.
6. Firearms shall not be discharged in the cemeteries, except for salutes at military funerals, Memorial Day ceremonies, or by special permission of the Cemetery Sexton.
7. Any person disturbing the quiet or good order of the grounds by acts of, but not limited to, intoxication, loud noise, speeding, or disorderly contact, and any person who violates any of the rules, will be expelled from the grounds by the Cemetery Sexton.
8. All headstones, monuments, permanent markers or other structure permitted to be erected in the cemeteries must have a good sufficient foundation. The Cemetery Sexton shall approve all foundation plans prior to any work being performed. No wood, metal, wire, hedge or other fence material shall be erected or maintained on or around any plot unless approved by the Cemetery Sexton.

B. PLANTING:

1. Shrubs may only be planted on any grave site if the species of plant and the precise location has been approved by the Cemetery Sexton. Trees may not be planted on grave site, but may be planted on the cemetery grounds if approved by the Cemetery Sexton. Small memorial signs may be emplaced with any such tree.
2. Annual flowers may only be planted within one foot of the memorial headstone and footstone.
3. Perennial Flowers planted without the approval of the Cemetery Sexton will be removed if considered unsightly when not in bloom.
4. If any plant becomes detrimental to a plot, grave, or to the cemetery because of branches, roots or otherwise, or is dangerous, the Cemetery Sexton shall have both the duty and the right to remove any and all parts thereof. Loose items, dead plants or flowers, or any other item considered to be unsightly or hazardous to mowers and trimmers will be removed during routine maintenance by the Cemetery Sexton or other employees as directed by the Sexton.
5. Bark mulch is not permitted. No fence shall be placed around the perimeter of any plot. Perimeter markers shall be flush with the earth so that a mower can clear them without adjustment.

1. Cut flowers shall be in containers at least eight inches high and be placed only within one foot of the memorial headstone or directly on a footstone. The placing of artificial flowers, signs, or glass containers on graves is not permitted. Plants must be watered and maintained in a fresh state by those who emplaced them.
2. Memorial items, such as small statuettes, coins, toys, small stones, or other keepsakes maybe placed on top of a headstone or monument or within stone, plastic, or concrete pots or planters. These must be emplaced within the same restricted area as cut flowers (see 1 above). Small stones placed in observance of religious custom may be placed on top of a memorial headstone. Perpetual flame holders or plants on wire hangers must be anchored at the base of the monument.
3. All work done in the Cemetery by plot owners, their aides or employees will be subject to supervision by the Cemetery Sexton.
4. All rubbish and waste resulting from this will work will be removed by owners, their aides, or employees.
5. If, as the result of work done, the good appearance of the cemetery is adversely affected in the opinion of the Cemetery Sexton or the Board of Selectmen, the Sexton may put such plots in order at the expense of the owners.
6. The Cemetery Sexton shall have the authority to prune or remove any vegetation that is encroaching upon an adjacent site and to bill the cost of such work to the current owner of the encroaching site.
7. The placing of small flags or other veteran markers on graves is allowed, with the understanding that the groundskeepers have the right to remove them at a later date, if necessary.
8. Christmas wreaths and other wintertime decorations may only be placed on or immediately in front of the memorial headstone or footstone. All such wintertime decorations will be removed by the Cemetery Sexton on or after March 1 of each year.
9. Flowers placed on a grave during the burial service shall be removed after one week, except for flowers meeting the location criteria of paragraph 1. Flowers not removed after one week shall be removed the Cemetery Sexton and/or the grounds keeping staff.

1. Only human remains shall be interred in any Town cemetery, whether cremated or otherwise. Erection of any memorial structure must be approved by the Cemetery Sexton.
2. Before any interment, the Cemetery Sexton shall be furnished with a permit, such as may be required by the ordinances of the Town of Bow or by the laws of the State of New Hampshire, together with an order from the legal owner, or the legal representative, of the right of burial in the plot in which interment is to be made. A grave shall only be opened for interment or removal by a person in the employ of the Town of Bow under direction of the Cemetery Sexton.
3. All interments shall be enclosed in a cement vault except infants for whom a fiberglass container thirty (30) inches or less in length may be used. Cremations shall require an urn or other approved container. The container provided by crematoriums is an approved container.

1. The Cemetery Trustees shall approve a cemetery master plan designating the order on which cemetery plots may be sold, any family plots and plots of single graves, as the Cemetery Trustees determine to be appropriate.
2. The Cemetery Sexton shall maintain a current map showing all cemetery plots that are available for purchase in accordance with the cemetery master plan and a current schedule of fees.
3. The Town of Bow offers family plots (blocks of two, four, and six contiguous grave sites) and single grave sites.
4. The breaking up of surveyed plots shall not be permitted.
5. Plots that are designated for the interment of cremains only, if there are plots so designated, shall be sold subject to availability. Such plots shall be designated in areas that are unsuitable for full grave sites. One small upright marker shall be allowed on such sites.
6. Up to four cremains may be interred in a regular burial plot either in addition to one full body burial or instead of one. For the first interment, the plot must be purchased at the full body rate.
7. The owners of rights of burial, or their heirs, shall not grant, sell, alienate, or convey, the said exclusive right of burial, to any person or persons, without having first obtained the written approval and consent of the Cemetery Trustees. The Town of Bow shall have the right to repurchase a plot that is not to be used as a grave for the same price for which it was purchased. This shall be a restriction on all deeds.

1. Cemetery plots may be purchased by residents and non-residents whenever plots are available.
2. Residents are entitled to purchase plots at the resident rate. Former residents who provide proof that they had been a legal resident of Bow may purchase cemetery plots at the resident rate and pay the resident service fees.
3. Overtime rates will be charged on holidays, Saturdays, Sundays, and after 3:00 PM., Monday through Friday.

CEMETERY PLOT FEES:

CEMETERY PLOT SERVICE FEES:

G. PERPETUAL CARE:

1. The Cemetery Trustees shall be the agents for the managing, investing and expending from perpetual care trust funds.
2. The Town will provide grounds care in perpetuity for all grave sites in all public cemeteries. The cost of perpetual care is included in the purchase price of burial plots. Perpetual care includes the seeding and fertilization of grass, the cutting of grass upon the plots, the raking and cleaning of the plots, and occasional pruning and trimming of ornamental vegetation. Maintenance and repair of headstones or other monuments is the responsibility of the plot owner. The Town of Bow will only be responsible for repairing monuments damaged by employees of the Town.
3. In private cemeteries the Town will rake fallen leaves, remove fallen branches and other debris, and trim vegetation once every year.
4. An individual perpetual care trust fund will be established in the name of each cemetery plot owner. Each trust will be established by deposit of 50% of the purchase price of each cemetery plot, and shall be an expendable trust fund.
5. If approved by Town meeting 2003, perpetual care will be partially funded by income generated from the interest earned by the Cemeteries Perpetual Care Trust Fund. This trust fund will be established by closing the many existing individual perpetual care trust funds, consolidating the balance from each of those funds into the new fund, and the new fund will also receive 50% of the purchase price of all burial plots sold after adoption of these regulations.

4. CEMETERIES

A. PUBLIC:

1. Alexander Cemetery (River Road)-plots available
2. Evans Cemetery (White Rock Hill Road)-Plots available.
3. Green Cemetery (Baptist Church, Bow Center)-All plots are sold.

B. PRIVATE (maintained by Town but no plots sold by Town):

1. Goodhue Cemetery
2. Hadley Cemetery
3. Hammond Cemetery
4. Heath Cemetery
5. Nichols Cemetery ( aka East Dunbarton Cemetery)
6. Ordway Cemetery
7. Private Cemetery-Brown Hill Road
8. Private Cemetery (one grave)-Brown Hill Road.

Adopted by the Cemetery Trustees on October 2002.

Cemetery Sexton is an additional duty of the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector is located in the Building Department on the lower level of the Municipal Office Building.