Inspection Department Posts Amended NH State Fire and Building Codes

The City of Portsmouth NH Inspection Department has posted to its page on the City website a courtesy summary of the latest New Hampshire Building Code amendments provided by the Building Code Review Board. The Inspection Department has also posted a NH Building Codes guidance document on the website,

The summary consists of the applicable codes and amendments which have been reviewed and approved by the Board through< May 10, 2024, ratified the General Court per HB1059-2024, effective July 1, 2024 and approved by Governor Sununu on August 2, 2024.

Per HB1059-2024, RSA 155-A:1, IV, the “New Hampshire Building Code” means the adoption by reference of the: International Building Code 2021, International Existing Building Code 2021, International Energy Conservation Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2021, International Plumbing Code 2021, International Residential Code 2021, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2021, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 - National Electrical Code 2020.

In an accompanying memo, the President of the NH Building Officials Association (NHBOA) William McKinny commented, “Several of the adopted codes have amendments to address specific New Hampshire concerns. Many of these amendments have been carried over from the 2018 codes. These amendments can be found on the Building Code Review Board (BCRB) website. The New Hampshire Building Officials Association, Board of Governors supports a statewide uniform building code. We also understand and appreciate that updating of codes can bring changes that may affect projects in your communities, especially those that may take many months or years to finalize.”

Shanti Wolph, City of Portsmouth Building Inspector and a member of the NHBOA board noted, “The goal is to offer guidance on how to transition to and implement these codes and amendments – the 2021 International Codes and the 2021 NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 – as the New Hampshire State Building and Fire Codes.”

Board.The Inspection Department has also posted a NH Building Codes guidance document on the website,

The summary consists of the applicable codes and amendments which have been reviewed and approved by the Board through< May 10, 2024, ratified the General Court per HB1059-2024, effective July 1, 2024 and approved by Governor Sununu on August 2, 2024.

Per HB1059-2024, RSA 155-A:1, IV, the “New Hampshire Building Code” means the adoption by reference of the: International Building Code 2021, International Existing Building Code 2021, International Energy Conservation Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2021, International Plumbing Code 2021, International Residential Code 2021, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2021, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 - National Electrical Code 2020.

In an accompanying memo, the President of the NH Building Officials Association (NHBOA) William McKinny commented, “Several of the adopted codes have amendments to address specific New Hampshire concerns. Many of these amendments have been carried over from the 2018 codes. These amendments can be found on the Building Code Review Board (BCRB) website. The New Hampshire Building Officials Association, Board of Governors supports a statewide uniform building code. We also understand and appreciate that updating of codes can bring changes that may affect projects in your communities, especially those that may take many months or years to finalize.”

Shanti Wolph, City of Portsmouth Building Inspector and a member of the NHBOA board noted, “The goal is to offer guidance on how to transition to and implement these codes and amendments – the 2021 International Codes and the 2021 NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 – as the New Hampshire State Building and Fire Codes.”