updating and recodifying the municipal enforcement of the building and fire code.
Sponsored By: Carol M McGuire (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Building applicants avoid unpublished local fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, cities and towns must publish their building-code fees for public access during normal business hours. They can post the list at city or town hall or on their website. A fee unpublished when an application is submitted is waived for that application. Local enforcement agencies must also accept and review appropriate construction documents instead of appropriate design documents.
Code appeals offer review but allow fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, local boards hear building- and fire-code appeals alleging misinterpretation, incomplete applicability, or equally good or better construction. Local boards cannot waive state code requirements; their decisions can be appealed to the state review board within 30 days. Boards can charge reasonable fees for administration, special studies, document review, and other work required by an appeal or application. These fees have no stated amount and must stay in a separate account that does not expire, used only for their stated purpose. Boards can pay those expenses without local legislative approval; this authority excludes ordinance-based application, permit, and inspection fees.
Code appeals pause permits and enforcement
Beginning July 1, 2026, an appeal against a permit or certificate suspends it while the appeal is pending. Related construction, alterations, or changes of use cannot begin during that time. Appeals against orders or enforcement actions also pause related proceedings. An exception applies when the building official certifies that a pause creates imminent danger to life, health, safety, property, or the environment. After that certification, a pause requires a board or superior court restraining order, notice to the official, and good cause.
Limits on local home sprinkler requirements
Beginning July 1, 2026, municipalities face limits on enforcing local sprinkler requirements for covered homes. Coverage includes detached one- and two-family homes used only as residences, and existing buildings containing or intended for up to four homes. It also includes manufactured homes in manufactured housing parks. Exceptions remain for existing sprinklers, sprinklers required by nonresidential use, and sprinklers included by an applicant. Local land use boards can still enforce applicable sprinkler requirements.
Unsafe-building orders with limits for homeowners
Beginning July 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., building officials can order occupants to leave unsafe premises when needed for safety. Officials must reasonably believe collapse is imminent or there is a clear, immediate danger to life or safety. State procedures govern these orders and override conflicting local code procedures. Homes occupied by owners and their immediate families are exempt from specified code provisions—not from all building-code rules. That exemption ends when the premises pose a clear, immediate danger to other people's life or health.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Carol M McGuire
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Keith Erf
Republican • House
Keith R. Murphy
Republican • Senate
Howard Pearl
r • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 318; eff.7/1/2026 12:01 a.m.
7/20/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
7/6/2026SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
7/6/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2188e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52
6/23/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2188e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
6/23/2026SenateConference Committee Report 2026-2006c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 12
6/4/2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-2006c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
5/29/2026SenateConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2006c; 06/04/2026
5/22/2026SenateConference Committee Meeting: 05/20/2026 11:30 am GP 231
5/20/2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Dargie Replaces Rep. Grote 05/19/2026 HJ 13 P. 151
5/19/2026HousePresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Reardon; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
5/13/2026SenateSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
5/13/2026SenateSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Layon, Slottje, Grote, DeRoy 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
5/5/2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1025s and Requests CofC (Rep. Layon): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
5/5/2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1025s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Amendment # 2026-1025s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1025s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9
3/4/2026SenateHearing: 03/03/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 7
2/18/2026SenateIntroduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
1/30/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2952h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 51
1/7/2026HouseAmendment # 2025-2952h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 51
1/7/2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2952h 11/05/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 9
11/5/2025HouseExecutive Session: 11/05/2025 10:00 am GP 231
10/27/2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 10/01/2025 10:00 am GP 231
9/22/2025HouseRetained in Committee
2/11/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended
6/23/2026
Enrolled
6/23/2026
Introduced
1/7/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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