Town of Gilford, NH

Planning and Land Use Department

Fax: (603) 527-4731

47 Cherry Valley Road
Gilford, NH 03249

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Agendas & Minutes (126) News & Notices (1) F.A.Q (9) Files & Documents (50) Staff (4) Links of Interest (6) Calendars (1)

About

ATTENTION: We do not accept any emailed applications at this time.

Please submit all applications by mail, in-person or in the town hall drop box.

The Gilford Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU) provides services to the community for building permits and inspections, planning and zoning and code enforcement. The staff provides support to the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment (which also functions as the Board of Building Appeals), the Conservation Commission, and the Historic District and Heritage Commission. The department maintains a file for each property with documents covering the development history of each lot in matters such as subdivisions, site plans, and building permits.
When you want to install a fence, build a new house, open a business, make an addition, install a swimming pool, work in or near a wetland area, or have concerns about possible violations of zoning regulations, DPLU is the place to contact. DPLU staff is also responsible for maintenance and updates of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations, and the Master Plan. For further information, click on the buttons in the table above, or you may call or email the department using the contact information provided.

Code Enforcement

Gilford’s Code Enforcement Officer works in the Department of Planning and Land Use. Code enforcement covers enforcement of state and local building codes and zoning ordinance regulations. If you have a question or a concern about code enforcement in Gilford, you may call the Department of Planning and Land Use at (603) 527-4727.

2022 Gilford Land Use Board Meeting Schedule & Calendar - click here!

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Information on Building Permits & Subdivisions

News and Notices

All news

New Building Inspector Appointed

Fri, Feb 25 at 09:08am

Wanted

All wanted

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Frequently Asked Questions

All FAQs

25 feet in the side and rear yards. Front yard setback is 35 feet in the Single Family Residential (SFR) and Commercial (C) zones, and 50 feet in all other zones. Only docks and boathouses may be placed within 50 feet of Lake Winnipesaukee.

By statute we may take up to 30 days for a residential permit and 60 days for a non-residential permit, but we try to have permits ready much quicker. See R.S.A. 676:13.

In most cases, yes, you can rebuild your house in the same footprint, but not in all cases. Contact the office for an answer regarding your specific situation. Also, see Article 9 in the Zoning Ordinance.

No, the town cannot get involved in such matters. If a neighbor cuts your trees, installs a driveway on your property, or does other similar things, it is a private matter between property owners. The town would only be involved in regulatory issues such as permitting and inspections.

In most cases, yes, you can build on an existing non-conforming lot. You must first obtain a driveway permit, secure septic approval or a sewer permit, and meet all current setbacks. Please call or visit the office for a determination for your specific situation.

No notice is required to build a house and none is provided. A building permit is required, but not a public notice. No notice is required for a commercial building permit either, although abutters are notified when the Planning Board reviews a commercial site plan which is required before the town will issue a commercial building permit.

Yes, a building permit is needed for a fence. The fence must be placed one (1) foot from the property line unless it is a common fence and the neighbor agrees to placing the fence on the property line. You do not have to place the “good” side toward your neighbor (although a spite fence is not allowed – see R.S.A. 476:1 to 476:3).

There are eight (8) zones in Gilford in various locations around the town. Four (4) zones are residential, three (3) are commercial, and one (1) is industrial. All islands except Governor’s Island are zoned Island Residential (IR). All of Governor’s Island is zoned Single Family Residential (SFR). For other zoning information, please contact the office.

The Historic District generally includes all lots fronting along Schoolhouse Hill Road, along Belknap Mountain Road from Gilford Avenue to the schools, along Tannery Hill Road, and along part of Potter Hill Road. The regulations of the Historic District require property owners to have all outside building and site changes first approved by the Historic District Commission. For specific boundaries and regulation information, please contact the office. Also, see Article 14 in the Zoning Ordinance.