TITLE XII
PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 155-A
NEW HAMPSHIRE BUILDING CODE

Section 155-A:1

    155-A:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Building" means building as defined and interpreted by the International Code Council's International Building Code adopted under RSA 155-A:1, IV, as amended by the state building code review board and ratified by the legislature in accordance with RSA 155-A:10.
II. "County" means the local legislative body of a county in which there are unincorporated towns or unorganized places.
III. "Local enforcement agency" means, for a municipality as defined in RSA 155-A:1, XI that has adopted an enforcement mechanism under RSA 155-A:3, the official qualified and authorized to issue permits, make inspections, and enforce the laws, ordinances, and rules enacted by the state and local government that establish standards and requirements applicable to the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure, or any appurtenances connected or attached to such building or structure.
IV. "New Hampshire building code" or "state building code" means the adoption by reference of the International Building Code 2024, the International Existing Building Code 2024, the International Plumbing Code 2024, the International Mechanical Code 2024, the International Energy Conservation Code 2018, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2024 and the International Residential Code 2024, as published by the International Code Council Inc., and the National Electrical Code 2023, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., as reviewed and recommended by the state building code review board, including all amendments reviewed and approved by the board as of October 10, 2025, and ratified by the legislature in accordance with RSA 155-A:10, and any errata issued by the model code organization, or amendments informed by such errata, as approved by the board.
IV-a. "New Hampshire fire code" or "state fire code" means the state fire code as defined in RSA 153:1 and as amended by rules adopted pursuant to RSA 153:5.
V. "Person" means any individual or organized group of any kind, including partnerships, corporations, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, and other forms of association, as well as federal, state or local instrumentalities, political subdivisions, or officers.
VI. "Structure" means structure as defined and interpreted by the International Code Council's International Building Code adopted under RSA 155-A:1, IV, as amended by the state building code review board and ratified by the legislature in accordance with RSA 155-A:10.
VII. "District commissioners" means the board of commissioners of a village district or precinct.
VIII. "Local governing body" means, in addition to any other appropriate title:
(a) Board of selectmen in a town;
(b) City council or board of aldermen in a city;
(c) Village district commissioners in a village district; or
(d) County commissioners in a county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places.
IX. "Local legislative body" means one of the following basic forms of government utilized by a municipality:
(a) Council, whether city or town;
(b) Mayor-council;
(c) Mayor-board of aldermen;
(d) Village district or precinct;
(e) Town meeting; or
(f) County convention.
X. "Mayor" means the chief executive officer of the municipality, whether the official designation of the office is mayor of a city, city or town manager, the board of selectmen of a town, the board of commissioners of a village district, the county commissioners of a county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places, or any other title or any official designated in the municipal charter to perform the duties of "mayor."
XI. "Municipality" or "municipal" means, includes and relates to cities, towns, village districts, and counties in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places.
XII. "Selectmen" means the board of selectmen of a town and the county commissioners of a county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places.

Source. 2002, 8:3. 2003, 245:1. 2006, 112:1. 2007, 187:1-3. 2009, 41:2. 2012, 242:7-10, eff. June 18, 2012. 2014, 314:4, eff. Jan. 1, 2015. 2017, 201:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2018. 2019, 250:1-3, eff. Sept. 15, 2019. 2022, 311:1-3, eff. July 1, 2022. 2023, 46:1, eff. May 19, 2023; 238:1, eff. Oct. 7, 2023. 2024, 323:1, eff. July 1, 2024. 2025, 135:1, eff. July 1, 2025; 276:2, eff. July 1, 2026. 2026, 49:1, eff. July 1, 2026; 318:3, 63, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.