Whether it’s a dock, breakwater, perched beach or boathouse, any new shoreline construction or installation will require a permit issued through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau. Often, repair work to these same shoreline structures will also require a permit, depending on the extent of the repairs. North Wing can help determine what, if any, permit is needed.

There are several levels or types of Wetlands permits for the variety of different shoreline structures, we’re happy to discuss your project specifics and what you should anticipate moving forward.

Like the Wetland requirements, a Shoreland permit is needed for a number of different projects. Shoreland permits are required when work is proposed within 250’ of the shoreline, a zone which is called the Protected Shoreland. These projects can range from the addition or expansion of a deck or patio to the construction of a new home or guest house.

Within the Protected Shoreland there are two buffer zones, the Waterfront Buffer and the Woodland Buffer. Projects within these different zones need to meet different sets of criteria, which we’re available to help you understand if needed.

On June 15, 2021, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Wetland Bureau enacted a new voluntary dock registration program with the intent to provide a streamlined alternative to the previously required Standard Dredge and Fill Permit or the Permit by Notification. There are a few advantages to the Dock Registration, all of which we’re glad to discuss.

There are more than 200 cities or towns in the state of New Hampshire, all of which maintain their own set of zoning rules and regulations. Along with these many different rules and regulations come many different building permit requirements. North Wing Design and Permit understands these rules, regulations and permitting requirements and we’re here to help you move your project forward. If we haven’t worked in your community before, then rest assured that we have the experience to navigate the local rules to get your job done.

Trees are part of what make New Hampshire so amazing; our forested lands offer the beauty we all seek. Our native trees provide the shade and anchor for our summer-time hammocks, the sap for our famous Maple syrup, the cordwood to heat our homes in winter. New Hampshire’s trees also play an integral part region’s ecology, including the food and habitat for our wildlife. Also, within the watersheds of our lakes, ponds, and rivers, trees and vegetation provide the incredibly important function of screening sediments and nutrients that lead to negative effects on our lakes.

However, there are cases where tree removal is necessary, whether that’s to protect our homes against a hazardous tree that may fall, or to create a space for family to gather at the water’s edge. In these cases, tree removal is allowed if certain rules are met. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services maintains a point system to determine which trees or vegetation can be removed, whether the respective trees fall under the Wetlands Bureau or the Shoreland Program. 

North Wing Design and Permit can provide a detailed tree inventory for your property, including the point valuation.

Unlike NH DES Wetland and Shoreland permits, mooring permits are granted through New Hampshire’s Department of Safety. Approval of mooring permits applies to certain waterbodies in New Hampshire and those approvals are contingent upon a number of factors, give us a call and we can talk those factors through.