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RSA 155-A:1 · Definitions

Title
XII: PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE
Chapter
155-A · NEW HAMPSHIRE BUILDING CODE
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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155-A:1 Definitions. – In this chapter:

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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.

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II.

"County" means the local legislative body of a county in which there are unincorporated towns or unorganized places. [Paragraph III effective until July 1, 2026; see also paragraph III set out below.]

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III.

"Local enforcement agency" means for a municipality that has adopted enforcement provisions or additional regulations under RSA 674:51 or RSA 47:22, the building inspector, code official, or other local government official qualified and authorized to make inspections and to enforce the laws, ordinances, and rules enacted by the state and by local government that establish standards and requirements applicable to the construction, alteration, or repair of buildings. For the purpose of enforcement of the state fire code for buildings and structures not owned by the state, thelocal enforcement agencymeans the municipal fire chief or his or her representative, pursuant to RSA 154:2, II. [Paragraph III effective July 1, 2026; see also paragraph III set out above.]

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III.

"Local enforcement agency" means, for a municipality as defined in RSA 672:10 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.

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IV.

"New Hampshire building code" or "state building code" means the adoption by reference of the International Building Code 2021, the International Existing Building Code 2021, the International Plumbing Code 2021, the International Mechanical Code 2021, the International Energy Conservation Code 2018, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2021 and the International Residential Code 2021, 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 April 11, 2025, and ratified by the legislature in accordance with RSA 155-A:10. 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.

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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.

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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. 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.

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Source note

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.

Source history

  • 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

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1004 amend

    the appropriate municipal authority to enforce the provisions of this section. 3 Public Safety and Welfare; New Hampshire Building Code; State Building Code Review Board. Amend RSA 155-A:10, VI to read as follows: VI. The state building code review board shall not adopt or enforce any rule requiring the installation of fire sprinkler systems in any new or existing detached [one- or 2-family dwelling unit

  • 2026 HB1159 reference · effective 2026-07-01

    state building code review board, including all amendments reviewed and approved by the board as of [April 11] 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. 49:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. Approved: May 08, 2026 Effe

  • 2026 HB1159 amend · effective 2026-07-01

    ative to updating the state building code. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 49:1 State Building Code Definition. Amend RSA 155-A:1, IV to read as follows: IV. "New Hampshire building code" or "state building code" means the adoption by reference of the International Building Code [2021] 2024, the International Existing Building Code [2021] 2024,

  • 2026 HB1180 reference · effective 2026-07-01

    ended by the state building code review board, including all amendments reviewed and approved by the board as of April 11, 2025, and ratified by the legislature in accordance with RSA 155-A:10. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. LBA 26-2486 11/3/25 HB 1180-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT updating the definition of the state building code to include the Internation

  • 2026 HB1180 amend · effective 2026-07-01

    ternational Energy Conservation Code 2024. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 State Building Codes; Definitions. Amend RSA 155-A:1, IV to read as follows: IV. "New Hampshire building code" or "state building code" means the adoption by reference of the International Building Code 2021, the International Existing Building Code 2021, the Internatio

  • 2026 HB1180-FN amend · effective 2026-07-01

    ternational Energy Conservation Code 2024. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 State Building Codes; Definitions. Amend RSA 155-A:1, IV to read as follows: IV. "New Hampshire building code" or "state building code" means the adoption by reference of the International Building Code 2021, the International Existing Building Code 2021, the Internatio

  • 2026 HB1180-FN reference · effective 2026-07-01

    ended by the state building code review board, including all amendments reviewed and approved by the board as of April 11, 2025, and ratified by the legislature in accordance with RSA 155-A:10. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. LBA 26-2486 11/3/25 HB 1180-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT updating the definition of the state building code to include the Internation

  • 2026 HB1195 reference · effective 2026-07-01

    will exceed 30 children. V. Nothing in this section shall prohibit enforcement of applicable state fire, building, water supply and sewage disposal requirements under RSA 153, RSA 155-A, and RSA 485-A. 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. HELPFUL LINKS Redistricting Information Ethics Committee Statutory/Study Committees Voting Records Past Member Legislation Driving Direct

  • 2026 HB1204 amend

    anadian SPF unless otherwise designated by a licensed architect or structural engineer. 32:2 New Section; Use of Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) and Spruce-Pine-Fir-South (SPFS). Amend RSA 155-A by inserting after section 14 the following new section: 155-A:15 Use of Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) Lumber and Spruce-Pine-Fir-South (SPFS) Lumber. I. For purposes of the state building code, spruce-pine-fir south (S

  • 2026 HB1555 amend · effective 2027-07-01

    ion issued pursuant to RSA 154:2, II(b). Any party aggrieved by a decision of the state fire marshal may appeal that decision to the building code review board in accordance with RSA 155-A:11. 2 New Paragraph; State Building Code; Enforcement Authority. Amend RSA 155-A:7 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph: VI. The state fire marshal shall have the power to approve, disapprove, o

  • 2026 HB1555-FN amend · effective 2027-07-01

    ion issued pursuant to RSA 154:2, II(b). Any party aggrieved by a decision of the state fire marshal may appeal that decision to the building code review board in accordance with RSA 155-A:11. 2 New Paragraph; State Building Code; Enforcement Authority. Amend RSA 155-A:7 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph: VI. The state fire marshal shall have the power to approve, disapprove, o

  • 2026 HB1619 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    roperty as they see fit, provided such use does not infringe upon the rights of others or violate clearly defined public safety standards set forth in New Hampshire law, including RSA 155-A and other applicable statutes. II. Property owners may set rental prices based on market demand, free from government-imposed rent controls. III. Municipal zoning shall be limited to the minimum necessary to protect p

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