NH Shoreland Permits - Helpful Lakefront Permits

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA)

Below are permits and resources to help you comply with NH Shoreline Rules 

Lady of the Lake Realty specializes in helping lakefront buyers meet their objectives in NH Lakefront Real Estate needs.

The Shoreland Program provides multiple services to the public. Permitting staff review shoreland permit applications and waiver requests for compliance with the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act. The review process is designed to provide a level of oversight for construction, fill, and excavation activities to ensure that projects are carried out in a manner that meets the minimum standards of the act and protects water quality.

Compliance staff responds to written complaints documenting possible violations of the SWQPA. Complaints are triaged according to the level of environmental impact and investigated. A typical investigation involves a site inspection and follow-up with the appropriate parties to restore any violations.

Make the Assumption that anything you do within 250 of a lake or pond in NH will require authorization or a permit from Dept. of Environmental Service - DES

A STATE SHORELAND PERMIT is required for most new construction1, excavation and filling activities within the Protected Shoreland -   Summary of Shoreline Rules 

Dock / Mooring Permits  -  Seasonal Dock Permit    Fact Sheet for Installing a Dock -   Fact Sheet       Mooring are required on many lakes in NH  - Mooring Application 

Online Dock Application

Beach Facts Sheets  -    Beach Construction Fact Sheet       Perch Beaches  -  Perch Beach Fact Sheet    Slalom Course for Waterskiing   Slalom Course Application

Site Assessments are required for the sale of all lake homes -  Site Assessment Fact Sheet      Point Wells - Point Well Fact Sheet 

Vegetation Maintenance within the Protected Shoreland -   Vegetation Fact Sheet     Check for possible new grid rules for tree cutting    Tree Cutting Outline 

Shoreline Permit Application, Call DES for Help on your project   Shoreline Application      Call DES for Details -   Permit by Notification 

DES e-mail -  shoreland@des.nh.gov     DES One Stop Updates you on many of the shoreline permits in place and the progress of those requested  One Stop 

Contractors:  Watermark Marine Construction     Northeast Dock And Barge     Center Harbor Dock and Pier    Diversified Dock and Marine 

Is my home in the flood zone  FEMA Flood Map Portal 

 A permit is needed  for a boat lift or a jet ski lift?
Yes, a wetlands permit is required to install all boat lifts and jet ski lifts, including all seasonal boat and jet ski lifts. One boat lift or jet ski lift is equivalent to a single boat slip.

Call or e-mail Department of Environmental Sciences for updated fact sheets and applications as rules may change:  shoreland@des.nh.gov   (603) 271-3503   

*This is a shoreland presentation I attended put on by Mr Goodwin the owner of Watermark Marine. I got few surprises in the presentation and some clarifications. 

Clarifications - Grandfathered!   Surprise, yes new boathouses are possible!  Click here for a valuable information 

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