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When do I need a Permit?

Your landscaping or construction projects may require review or a permit from the state or the town. Both building permits and inspections are required in the town of Amherst. Information and forms are available here for most construction projects. this chart is intended to include the most common construction project types. It is the responsibility of the builder to understand the laws and rules for any given project. Contact the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services or the Amherst Zoning Office at the addresses provided below for help in identifying applicable rules.

For projects that do not require a permit, there may still be guidelines that you must follow during construction, landscaping, or tree cutting.

Prior to… When Working here… You need this approval… From…
Building or Expanding a Residential Dwelling, or a Commercial or Industrial Building
Anywhere in Amherst
Amherst
Building Permit
Required
Within 250 Ft. of Public Waters
Must Meet
Shoreline Protection
Minimum Standards
Anywhere not serviced by Municipal Sewer
Septic System
Construction &
Operational
Approval
Within the Amherst Historic District
Historic District
Commission Approval
Constructing Accessory Structures such as Sheds, Signs, Swimming Pools, or Driveways
Anywhere in Amherst
Amherst
Building Permit
Required
Within 250 Ft. of Public Waters
Must Meet
Shoreline Protection
Minimum Standards
Disturbing the Ground or Cutting Vegetation
Within 100 Ft. of a Public Water Protection Wetland or 25 Ft. of any other Wetland
Must Meet
Amherst Wetlands
Conservation District
Ordinances
Installing A Dock or Any Other Type of Shoreline Structure
Anywhere in Amherst
Amherst
Building Permit
Required
On Any Surface Waters or their Banks
Wetlands Permit
NHDES
Wetlands Bureau
(603) 271-2147
Impacting the Bank of any Waterbody, I.E. Stabilization or Construction
On the Banks of any Surface Water
Wetlands Permit
NHDES
Wetlands Bureau
(603) 271-2147
Adding Sand to a Beach or Constructing a New Beach
Adjacent to Any Surface Water
Dredge, Fill, or Construction
Any Jurisdictional Wetland
Applying Fertilizer
Within 250 Ft. of Public Waters
Must Meet
Shoreline Protection
Minimum Standards
Earth Moving or Excavation with an Impact < 50,000 Sq. Ft.
Tree Cutting
Within 150 Ft. of Public Waters
Must Meet
Shoreline Protection
Minimum Standards
Anywhere in Amherst
Must Meet Best
Management Practices
for Timber Harvesting
Earth Moving or Excavation with an Impact > 50,000 Sq. Ft.
Within 250 Ft. of Public Waters
Alteration of
Terrain Permit
Earth Moving or Excavation with an Impact > 100,000 Sq. Ft.
Anywhere in Amherst
Executing a Purchase and Sales Agreement on Developed Waterfront
Within 200 Ft. of a Great Pond Without Municipal Sewer
Site Assessment
Study
Subdividing Land for Single Family, Condominium, Appartment, or Campground
Anywhere not
Serviced by
Municipal Sewer
Septic System
Construction &
Operational
Approval
Installing A Well closer Than 75 Ft. from a Property Line
Anywhere
Must File
a Recorded
Well Release
Supplying Water for 25 or More People 60 or More Days A Year
Anywhere Not Serviced by Municipal Water
Water Supply
Engineering Permit
Installing Oil or Propane Burners
Anywhere in Amherst
Oil & Propane
Installation Permit
Blasting to break up or remove rocks
Anywhere in Amherst
Blasting Permit
Removing an underground tank
Anywhere in Amherst
Tank Removal Permit
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