Permitting Process

Please be aware- the November NHDES permit application deadline, site walk and meeting dates in the 2023 application form is incorrect. It has been corrected at the 2023 Deadlines link below but not in the 2023 Town Wetlands Permit link.

 The correct date of the NHDES permit application deadline is November 20th by 5pm, the correct date of the site walk is November 25th and the correct date of the meeting is November 28th. Please reach out to Brianna O'Brien, Conservation Coordinator, at bobrien@hamptonnh.gov with any questions. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

2023 Deadlines

2023 Town Wetlands Permit 

Town Wetland Permit Application Requirements

1.      Design/Plot Plan – Bird’s eye view of your property

2.      Plan must include the following features

         a.       Lot corners 

         b.      Edge of the wetland or Highest Observable Tide Line (HOTL)

         c.       Include the following structures with dimensions.

                   i.      Existing building including decks and stairs.

                   ii.      Accessories structures such as sheds, gazebos, patios, and retaining walls

                   iii.      Driveways and walkways (indicate the material i.e. asphalt, stone, or dirt)

3.      Delineation of the 50 ft buffer line

         a.       In any instance where there is doubt as to the location of the wetlands boundary or Highest
Observable Tide Line (HDTL) the burden of proof shall be on the applicant or property owner
to show the proper location of the boundary. Evidence shall be obtained by onsite
investigation and analysis conducted by a New Hampshire Certified Soil Scientist or other
                   New Hampshire certified wetlands scientist.  

4.       If the applicant and/or agent are not the owners, a letter of authorization must accompany the
          application.

5.        A Town of Hampton Assessor list of names and mailing addresses of all abutters.

6.        Public notification “abutter” fees as listed in the Fee Calculation Worksheet

Submitting Applications

Town Wetland Permit Applications: The applicant will submit nine copies of their permit applications to the Planning Department by the specified deadline for the Conservation Commission to review at their next meeting (based on submittal date).  The applicant will attend the Conservation Commission meeting and present their project.  After discussing the project, the Conservation Commission votes to oppose or not to oppose the permit. A letter stating the Commission’s position and any other stipulations is sent to the Planning Board.  The applicant will then attend the Planning Board meeting and present their project.  The Planning Board will vote to issue or not issue the permit.

NHDES Expeditated Minimum Impact Wetlands Permit Applications: The applicant will submit their applications to the Conservation Coordinator for the Conservation Commission to review at their next meeting (based on submittal date).  The applicant will attend the Conservation Commission meeting and present their project . If the Conservation Commission votes to signs the application, the applicant then takes five complete copies to the Town Clerk for her signature before sending the original to NHDES.

NHDES Standard Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit Applications: The applicant will submit five copies to the Town Clerk for her signature.  The applicant will attend the Conservation Commission meeting and present their project . If the Conservation Commission votes to not oppose the project, they will write a letter and send it to NHDES.  The applicant can then submit their application to NHDES.  

NHDES Wetlands Permit By Notification (PBN) Applications: For PBN's that require a signature from the Conservation Commission, the applicant will submit their applications to the Conservation Coordinator for the Conservation Commission to review at their next meeting (based on submittal date).  The applicant will attend the Conservation Commission meeting and present their project. If the Conservation Commission votes to signs the application, the applicant then takes five complete copies to the Town Clerk for her signature before sending the original to NHDES

NHDES Shoreland Permit Applications: The applicant will send their applications directly to the NHDES Wetland Bureau. The applicant shall provide postal receipts or copies with the application, verifying that the governing body of the municipality or municipalities in which the property is located have been notified by certified mail. 

NHDES Shoreland Permit By Notification (PBN) Applications: The applicant will  send their applications directly to the NHDES Wetland Bureau. There are no requirements for applicants to send evidence that the municipalities have been notified of the PBN.

Attending a Conservation Commission Meeting

1. To get on the agenda for a Conservation Commission meeting, please have your permit application(s) submitted by deadline date listed on the application. An appointment with the Conservation Commission must be schedule at least one week prior to the meeting date. The Conservation Commission cannot make additions to a meeting agenda on the day of the meeting or at the meeting. 
2. The Conservation Commission conducts “walk-throughs” on the Saturday before each monthly meeting. Walk-throughs allow the Commission members to see where the proposed changes would be on your property, and where and to what extent they have an impact on the wetlands or buffer, prior to discussion of the project at the meeting. 
3. At the meetings, the projects on the agenda will be discussed, with regard to how well they conform to Town/State wetlands guidelines, and what special circumstances and/or mitigation are being offered if the project does not conform to those guidelines. 
4. Town Wetland Permit Applications – After discussing the project, the Conservation Commission votes to oppose or not to oppose the permit for this project. A letter stating the Commission’s position and any other stipulations is sent to the Planning Board. 
5. State Permit Applications - After discussing the project, the Conservation Commission votes to oppose or not to oppose the permit for this project. A letter stating the Commission’s position and any other stipulations is sent to NHDES or the Commission will sign the application, depending on the type of permit application.  The State will make the final determination regarding whether or not to issue the necessary permits