What's New

The City of Portsmouth NH recently received the Bronze Award designation from the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of clean, affordable solar energy at the local level.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

CDBG Public Facility and Accessibility Improvement Grants Available

At the December 16, 2024 City Council meeting, City Manager Karen Conard announced that $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) assistance would be distributed to local nonprofit human service agencies, concluding a monthslong process. Local agencies were invited to submit applications for the funds by November 27, 2024.

The City of Portsmouth is transitioning its official website domain and email from "cityofportsmouth.com" to "portsmouthnh.gov." Email services will be migrated first, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, with the website to follow on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

The Portsmouth NH City Clerk has announced that her office has begun to accept applications for the lottery to assign the 16 seasonal boat slips at Prescott Park for the 2025 season. The deadline for applying is Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 4 pm. For the application package, visit: portsnh.co/2025DockApplication.

Once again, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee Holiday Lights Contest received enthusiastic support, with 25 Portsmouth residents participating in this annual event. A donation of $10 for each participant is being made to Gather, the Seacoast food pantry. Mayor Deaglan McEachern today announced the winners and has invited them to attend the January 6, 2025 City Council meeting for public recognition.

The top three winners are: 

Portsmouth, NH – Railroad owner CSX will begin critical repair work at the railroad crossing on Market Street to replace their tracks into the Port Authority. CSX has advised the City that this is emergency work and could not wait until January when the work could have been more optimally coordinated. Traffic flow will be maintained on Market Street during initial work on Tuesday, December 17. 

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has approved the City’s property tax rate of $11.18 per $1,000 of valuation for Fiscal Year 2025. The newly approved tax rate will be reflected in the tax bills which will be mailed by mid-December, with the first half due mid-January, 2025 and the second half due June 2, 2025.

Pro Portsmouth’s First Night 2025 takes place on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 from 7:30 to 8 pm, highlighted by the annual fireworks show at 7:30 pm at South Mill Pond. Due to construction barricades in front of North Church, there will be no ice sculptures on display this year.