Frequently Asked Questions

The Town’s SFHAs are depicted on the Town’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps which available for review at the Community Development Department and online at Granit and at FEMA Flood Map Service Center you can also search the Town GIS for your specific property at Axis GIS (click on map layer and choose Flood map.

FEMA has recently up-dated its Flood Map Service Center (MSC) at FEMA to provide easier access to flood hazard mapping information. The MSC web-based repository allows users to access the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) that determine floodplain boundaries and flood insurance regulations for the entire country, as well as flood risk data, Geographical Information System (GIS) datasets, and engineering reports.

If the home has a basement or crawlspace, the floor of the basement or crawlspace is considered the lowest floor of the structure and therefore must be constructed at or above the height of where the 100 year flood is expected to rise. The Town of Windham Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Regulations Section 607 covers floodplain development

The most significant requirement for new construction and substantial improvements of homes located in an SFHA is that the lowest floor of the structure must be constructed at or above the height of where the 100 year flood is expected to rise.

A Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) includes any area of Town that has a one percent chance or greater possibility of flooding in any given year. The one percent flood is also known as the 100 year flood.

A “substantial improvement” is any improvement or repair to your home the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent of the home’s market value. This means that if you undertake a substantial improvement, you will need to raise the lowest floor of your home to or above the height of where the 100 year flood is expected to rise.

Yes, there is one 24 unit community. This community has a 62 years of age restriction.

Yes. Farm animals are allowed in the Rural and Residential Districts. You must follow the “Best Management Practices: Housing and Space Guidelines for Livestock” adopted by the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Rockingham County Conservation District and the UNH Cooperative Extension. The requirements for Agriculture can be found in Sections 602.1.1.2 and 603.1.2 of the Windham Zoning Ordinance.

A fence permit is required.

• For a shed 100 sq. feet or less, with a roof line of less than 12 feet, no permit is required and it may be placed in the side or rear yards no less than 10 feet from the property line.
• For a shed 101 sq. feet up to 200 sq. feet, with a roof line of less than 12 feet, no permit is required and it may be placed in the side or rear yards but it must meet the setback requirement applicable to the zoning district where the property is located.  
• For a shed 201 sq. feet or greater, or higher than 12 feet, a building permit is required.  It must be placed in the side or rear yards and it must meet the setback requirements applicable to the zoning district where the property is located.
• Any work done on a property that is within a Watershed Overlay Protection District (WPOD) (e.g. Cobbett’s Pond Watershed) may require a separate application and permit, and you need to check with the Code Enforcement Officer.  

A building permit is needed for both and a licensed electrician needs to apply for an electric permit.

All construction in the Cobbetts Pond and Canobie Lake Watershed Protection District need to check with the Code Enforcement Officer to see if a Minor Watershed Application is required.

The Windham Fire Department 603-434-4907 issues these permits.

A building permit is required for both. You may need an electrical and plumbing permit as well. Call the building department for more information.

View full zoning requirements, or at the Community Development Department.

55 years of age with 3 minor exceptions: a care giver living with you, an employee of the complex or the HUD subsidized rental units.

The minimum requirements are 50,000 square feet with 175 feet of frontage, which are soil and slope dependent. The exception to these requirements are our open space developments, which require only 30,000 square feet and 60 feet of frontage.

• 30 feet setback from the side and rear lot lines and 50 feet setback from the front lot line.
• Open Space developments have 15 feet side and rear lot line setbacks and 20 feet setbacks from the front lot line.
• Waterfront lots have a 50 feet setback from the road and 50 feet setback from the reference line of the water. There are additional State requirements the NH Department of Environmental Services should be contacted.

A property owner has a general right to cut or remove trees on their property, as they wish. This is true whether the trees are located in or out of the road right-of-way, unless the Town or State holds title to the right-of-way. This is also true even if a road has been designated a ‘scenic road’.

Tree cutting in the Wetland and Watershed Protection District is permitted, however, any type of stump removal activity requires a Special Permit from the Town of Windham Planning Board.

Tree cutting and stump removal activities within the protected shoreland buffer are regulated by the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act. Under the CSPA, trees removed within the 50 foot waterfront buffer may be removed in accordance with a grid and point system, but stumps must remain intact within the ground. Trees removed within the 150 foot natural woodland buffer must comply with the unaltered state requirement. Stumps may be removed in this area, but any activity requiring mechanized equipment will require a shoreland impact permit.

Public utility companies and municipalities must follow certain procedures prior to cutting trees. For a utility, the law requires not only notice, but landowner permission. The Town may cut or remove any trees that interfere with public travel or are deemed a public nuisance. However, trees with a circumference of more than 15 inches at 4 feet off the ground generally cannot be cut until the owner is notified in writing.

Wetland and Watershed Protection District.

A special permit from the Planning Board is required for excavation, filling, drainage, stump removal, or otherwise altering the surface configuration of the land located in the WWPD.

• Monday - Friday
• 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Our address is 3 North Lowell Road, and we are located next to the Town Hall above the old fire station.

Inspections are done daily, except during severe weather, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and require at least a 24 hour advance notice. To schedule an inspection please call the Community Development Department at 603-432-3806. In order to schedule an inspection we will need the address, permit number, and the Map, Block and Lot number. The building inspector will not enter an occupied home to do an inspection unless someone is onsite.

The Department has a file on every property in Town. These files may contain any building, plumbing, and electrical permits, as well as any inspection reports for work done. We also may have information on your well and septic systems, your property boundaries, and the locations of any wetlands on your property.

Yes. An original bill or dummy bill is required for each account. One check may be used to cover all bills submitted.

Tax map number, property address and owner name(s) must appear on each bill. Tax map number consists of map, lot and account number (ex. 25R-302-1801).

The State of New Hampshire RSAs state that real estate tax bills be sent directly to the property owner. It is the property owner(s) responsibility to forward a copy to the lender.

April 1 through March 31.

Tax bills are mailed in May and October, with due dates in July and December.

The tax rate for any given year is set in mid-October of that same year.

The July bill is an estimated bill which is based on the previous year’s tax rate.

The December bill represent your actual taxes for the year. It reflects the new tax rate, assessment changes (if applicable), and previous payments applied (including the first billing).

Yes. Recreation offers a variety of activities and trips throughout the year.  Cheryl Haas, Recreation Coordinator, can be reached at 603-965-1208 for more information. Events are also announced in local papers and on the Town’s website.

Yes. Meals can be delivered Monday through Friday by Meals on Wheels. Call the Salem office at 603-893-2137 to set an appointment to discuss delivery and any special dietary needs.

Yes. Qualified individuals my be eligible for assistance with security deposits when relocating.

The Town of Windham has a vehicle and an ADA bus staffed by part-time drivers, which provides transportation to and from doctor appointments, etc, to Windham's senior and disabled residents. The van also makes a weekly shopping trip to Wal-Mart each Wednesday. For more information, contact Cheryl Haas in the Recreation Dept at 603-965-1208 or by email at Recreation@WindhamNH.gov  For Windham Residents only.

Yes. The Shepherd’s Pantry is located at Windham Presbyterian Church and is open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Yes. The Windham Senior Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for lunch and card games and bingo. The Senior Center is located at 2 North Lowell Road. The Senior Center also has walkers, wheelchairs and other equipment that they loan to residents. Call the Senior Center at 603-434-2411, if no answer, please leave a message.

Yes. ServiceLink is a statewide network of locally administered, community-based resources. ServiceLink can be also reached at 1-866 634-9412.

Yes. Fuel Assistance Program is handled through Rockingham Community Action in Salem. The program begins September 1 and ends April 30 each year. To apply, call 603-898-8435 from September to April. When applying for Fuel Assistance, ask about your eligibility for a lower electric rate (Electrical Assistance Program) and the Weatherization Program.

Yes. The Town has a shopping trip to Wal-Mart on Wednesday mornings each week, weather permitting and also provides rides to doctor appointment, dependent on volunteer driver availability.  Contact Cheryl Haas in the Recreation Department at 603-965-1208 or by email at Recreation@WindhamNH.gov for more information.  For Windham residents only.

Assistance to qualified individuals varies, but may include food / fuel vouchers, rent / mortgage assistance, prescription assistance, and / or utility assistance.

Windham residents in financial need may be eligible for assistance and should contact Paula Carmichael, Human Resource Director at 603-432-7732 for application information. All information is held strictly confidential.

No, the Parks and Recreation Department oversees the beach.  Windham Residents can obtain a beach pass at the Town Beach on Cobbetts Pond Road. You must show proof of residency and the cost is free.

Windham Recreation Department 603-965-1208

You can find that information right on your registration. If you look at the upper right hand corner of your registration, you will find the State fees and then right below, on the bottom right hand corner, you can find the local fees. If you are listed on the registration, you can also come into the office during normal business hours, and we can pull the record. Please make sure to bring your photo ID.

Yes! We happily accept all major credit cards. Please note that there is a 2.99% fee in addition to your registration cost. With a minimum fee of $2.50 minimum fee. These fees go directly to our third party processor and are not retained by the Town. Please be aware that these convenience fees cannot be refunded.

No, at this time we do not offer a Rabies Clinic.

You may process the renewal of registration, please bring in the current registration or the renewal notice. 

Duplicates can be obtained if you are on the registration either as the primary owner or secondary. 

All other transactions i.e. transfers, new registrations, plate changes, and decal changes must be completed by the primary owner only. There are additional forms that need to be signed while processing these transactions, and a signature of the primary owner needs to authorize the transaction. If the primary owner is unable to conduct the transaction, they will need to fill out a notarized Power of Attorney Form (PDF) for motor vehicle purposes only to authorize another individual to perform the transaction on their behalf.

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. We do not close for lunch.

You can find that information on the EReg Estimates page.

Yes, we have one Notary that is generally available during normal business hours. If you see a line at the Town Clerk's office, there is also a Notary in the Assessing office, and at the Community Development Department.

Dog licenses, which are required by State statue, expire on April 30 of each year. To register or renew your dog license, you will need to bring proof of rabies vaccination. Fees are based on the age of the dog (puppy or dog) and whether they are spayed or neutered. Senior owners (65 and older) are eligible for a reduced licensing fee.

Not always. 

All new motor vehicle registrations must be started in person at the Town Clerk’s office, by the owners listed on the title or current registration.  We can process any necessary title paperwork and hand you your new plates and registration. Please note that some registrations (i.e. temporary plates) must be completed with the State of New Hampshire.

Residents have 3 options for renewing their vehicle registrations:

1) Register online via the E-Reg website. When you choose to pick-up your registration(s) instead of having them mailed to you, a Clerk will e-mail you a code to the Luxer machine near the back door of Town Hall. Follow the instructions on the Luxer screen to retrieve your registration.

2) By mail utilizing the renewal notice you received from our office. Return the notice with 1 check made payable to Town of Windham, along with a self-addressed stamped business envelope, and we will mail your updated registration back to you.

3) Coming in to the office during normal business hours.

New Hampshire (NH) does not require a blood test. A NH issued license is only valid in NH. You may take your license with you after completing the application, and it will remain valid for 90 days. Make sure to bring 2 forms of identification such as a birth certificate or passport, and your driver's license. If this isn't your first marriage, you must provide a final or absolute divorce decree or annulment, or certified death certificate. 

Marriage Licenses are processed by appointment only. Please call or e-mail the office to schedule an appointment. The cost for the license is $50.

Congratulations! Your baby's original birth certificate can be issued by us as long as your baby was born in New Hampshire (NH). If your child was born out of state, you will need to obtain the birth certificate in that particular town. If your child was adopted, and you live in NH, then you must obtain your birth certificate at the Vital Statistics office in Concord, NH.

There are three ways to register to vote in Windham:

1) You may register at the Town Clerk’s during regular business hours up to 6-10 days before the election.  

2) You may register with the Supervisors of the Checklist during one of their posted sessions.

3) You may register at the polls the day of the election.

Requirements

• Identity (driver’s license or passport)
• In order to register to vote, you must be 18 at the time of the next election
• Proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate/passport), naturalized citizens must present their naturalization papers
• Proof of residency (i.e driver’s license or vehicle registration)

Motorhome registrations can be tricky. Please call the Town Clerk's office to make an appointment to register your motorhome. 603-434-5075.

Yes, you are required to register your Aquatherm annually. Forms can be found on-line or are available at the Town Clerk's office.

Aquatherm Requirements

Yes you can! Please use this link: Town of Windham Public Records

The members of the Board of Selectmen are not regularly in the office, however, any concerns can be handled by the Administrative staff and/or the Town Administrator. If listed in the local telephone directory, the Selectmen may be reached at their homes, if desired.

No. All properties in Windham are on private septic systems. With the exception of some limited areas in Town on community wells serviced by Pennichuck Waterworks (Phone: 882-5191), all are also on private wells.

Most departments, with the exception of the Police and Fire, are closed on all federally observed holidays. Any unexpected closings will be posted, at a minimum, here on the official website.

Please refer to the the Bylaws for the Management of Town Conservation Land and Easements for more information about what is permitted and where. 

No. Residents may transport their trash to the Transfer / Recycling Station, or contract pickup with a private company.

Tax bills are mailed twice a year, generally in June and November, and are due 30 days from the date of notice. Property taxes are assessed as of April 1 each year, and the tax bills represent an entire year billed in two installments.

Contact the Recreation Department for information at 603-965-1208.

Voting takes place at Windham High School, and the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Passes are available to Windham residents at the beach. There is no charge, however proof of residency must be presented (i.e. tax bill, vehicle registration, etc.)

Yard sales do not require a permit. A permit is required to conduct a raffle, and can be obtained from the Administrative Offices. Ice cream truck and other vendors should contact the Recreation Department regarding any permitting requirements.

If work is available, the Town of Windham is usually able to help fill your student's service needs. Please contact the Recreation Dept at 603-965-1208 for more information.

Contact the Recreation Office at 603-965-1208.

Walking around the "Figure 8," the length is a 10th or two over a mile. The perimeter is just under.

No. Applications for new / renewal passports are available from the Salem NH Post Office. You may contact them at 685-2005 for more information.

No, we cannot. However, if you contact the Administration Office of the Sisters of Mercy at 603-893-6550, they can assist you.

No. The Town has adopted the provisions of RSA 466:30-a "Dog Control Law." In addition, there are town-specific ordinances regarding dogs on Town property (PDF).

NH RSA's 466:31 and 466:31-a define nuisance offenses and related penalties.

Animal Control concerns should be reported to the Windham Police Dispatch at 434-5577; and each will then be forwarded on to the Animal Control Officer.

You may not file for an abatement until after the final (December) tax bill has been received. Abatement applications will be available at the Assessor’s Office, and must be filed by March 1 to be eligible for consideration.

Assessor’s Office
3 N Lowell Road
Windham, NH 03087

Abutter lists are required by the Community Development Department for certain projects in Windham. Abutters can be determined and a list of same generated either at the self-service terminal mentioned or online.

There are a number of requirements which must be met in order to qualify for exemptions or credits. Please contact the Assessing Department at 603-434-7530 for further information.

Plot plans, when available, can be obtained at the Community Development Department. Copies of tax maps can be obtained from the Assessor's Office, and you may print a copy of your property card via a self-service terminal there or online.

Generally, you can only burn brush when it is raining out or with sufficient snow cover, and during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A permit is required. Please contact the Fire Station during regular business hours at 603-434-4907 for more information.

Yes. Residents can come to the Fire Station during regular business hours, present their driver's license, and borrow a device.

No, but safety courses are offered by the NH Marine Patrol.

No, but visit their website for information regarding the safety courses offered by the NH Fish & Game Department.

No. As of January 1, 2003, the State of NH no longer allows distribution of incinerator permits.

View a list of permits that are available during regular business hours at the Fire Station.

First, please check to verify that your road is not a private or State-owned roadway. If it is owned by the State, please contact Division 5. If it is not listed as a private road, contact the Highway Agent, Jack McCartney, at 603-965-1211.

Contact the Highway Agent at 603-216-5676, or the Administrative Offices at 603-432-7732.

Safety concerns and suggestions for improvement should be directed to the Highway Safety Committee.

Not generally. In keeping with the latest technology, the Department has moved to offering free DNA kits for child identification. Contact Chief Lewis at 603-434-5577 for further information.

Yes. The Department periodically offers Rape Assault and Defense (RAD) training for women and children For more information, contact Captain Mike Caron at 603-434-5577.

No, generally registration of firearms is not required in New Hampshire. Gun owners should, however, document what the make, model, and serial numbers are of the firearms that they do own. Gun owners should also photograph their firearms as part of their documentation.

Per state law (NH RSA’s 207:3-a, 207:3-c, and 644:13), you may not shoot across or within 15 feet of a road, or “within 300 feet of a permanently occupied dwelling without permission of the owner or the occupant of the dwelling or from the owner of the land on which the person discharging the firearm or shooting the bow and arrow is situated.”  You also may not discharge a firearm within the “compact part of a town or city,” defined as “the territory within a town or city comprised of the following:
 (a) Any nonresidential, commercial building, including, but not limited to, industrial, educational, or medical buildings, plus a perimeter 300 feet wide around all such buildings without permission of the owner.
 (b) Any park, playground, or other outdoor public gathering place designated by the legislative body of the city or town.
 (c) Any contiguous area containing 6 or more buildings which are used as either part- time or permanent dwellings and the spaces between them where each such building is within 300 feet of at least one of the others, plus a perimeter 300 feet wide around all the buildings in such area.”

For complete and up-to-date information regarding New Hampshire State Fish and Game Rules Click here

No. However, we do provide a document that allows you to list your emergency contacts, whether there are lights on in the house, etc. This will ensure that we have the proper information if we do need to respond to your residence. The form for a vacation patrol check can be found in the lobby of the Police Department or under the resources tab of our web page.

 Please allow at least two weeks for report completion, approval, and preparation. Please call the the Windham Police and request to speak to the Records Department to request a copy of a report. There is a $6.00 fee for each report.

As of February 22, 2017 the State of New Hampshire no longer requires a pistol permit to carry, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, any pistol or revolver by a resident or non-resident of the state providing that such individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state (see RSA 159:6 / Senate Bill 12). While not required, pistol permits are still issued for those individuals who may want such (usually desired for purposes of reciprocity with another state). Applications are available in the lobby of the Police Department or under the resources tab of our web page. Once completed, you may submit your application in-hand to the Dispatcher or by mail to the Police Department address. Please be aware that the 14-day processing period begins upon receipt of the completed application. Applicants approved and issued a license will be contacted by telephone (or by mail if a phone number is not provided). Applicants who are denied a license will be advised of such by mail. There is a $10.00 fee due at the time of pick up. The license is good for five (5) years, expiring on your birthday.

The Town of Windham employs a Community Service Officer (CSO) who is responsible for animal control services. This is a full-time position that functions as part of the Police Department. The CSO can be reached through the Police Department Communications Center at 603-434-5577. Wild animal complaints can be directed to U.S.D.A Wildlife Services at 603-223-6832 or by contacting the NH Fish and Game Department dispatch line, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, at 603-271-3361.

Yes.  Per town ordinance number Win 2:02:16:83, residents are required to notify the Windham Police Department once they have an alarm installed in their home. There is a form located in the lobby and available under the resources tab of our web page. The form provides us with information about your home, the types of alarms installed, and emergency contact information.

The Police Department is open to conduct business from 8AM to 4PM Monday through Friday. Business matters include: Records Requests, Permit Applications, and to Speak with Administration.

If you need to report a crime, the department is open 24 hours a day 7 Days a week.

If you are reporting an emergency, CALL 911.

Find information about various recreational items.

Contact the Recreation Coordinator, Cheryl Haas at 965-1208.

Field maintenance is contracted out to various local contractors with oversight by the Town's Recreation and Maintenance Departments.

Brush within a certain size is acceptable. Please visit the Highway Department page for more information. Stumps, logs, and oversized brush are not accepted at the Marblehead landfill / yard waste site. Residents may use a commercial facility such as M&R Wood Recycling in Derry, 603-425-0300, or obtain an open burn permit through the Fire Department.

Disposal of such debris is a non-limited free service for Windham residents only, and no scale weight or demo ticket is necessary. All commercial contractors are prohibited per #WIN 2:05:01:03; Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance. .

These items are not acceptable at the Transfer/Recycling Station, however, collection events are offered regionally several times each year. Please visit the Nashua Regional Planning Commission site for more information, or contact the City of Nashua Public Works at 603-589-3410 for more information. Pamphlets are also available at the Windham Transfer/Recycling Station.

Wednesday - Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

It is a State requirement upon which our Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Site Plan Regulations, Capital Improvements Plan, and other related regulations depend.

As defined by the State: “The purpose of the master plan is to set down as clearly and practically as possible the best and most appropriate future development of the [town], to aid the [planning] board in designing ordinances that result in preserving and enhancing the unique quality of life and culture of New Hampshire, and to guide the board in the performance of its other duties in a manner that achieves the principles of smart growth, sound planning, and wise resource protection.”

It is the Planning Board’s statutory duty to oversee the updating of the Master Plan.

The Board of Selectmen uses the Master Plan in legislative and policy-related decisions they encounter: upgrading of roads; approval of conservation land purchases; Town-wide policy decisions.

The Planning Board uses the Master Plan to guide them in judicial site plan review: assure that an application is consistent with the town’s goals. The Planning Board also uses the Master Plan in a legislative capacity: proposing amendments to the Zoning Map and the Zoning Ordinance.

Burial rights (aka lots) can be purchased by current and former residents, seasonal camp owners, and current and former employees subject to certain restrictions. Please refer to the Rules and Regulations for more information.

Lots are sold only as singles. Each lot can accommodate 1 casket with no more than 2 urns OR no more than 4 urns alone. Current, total price per lot is $400.

Yes and yes. 

Lots are currently available for purchase in the New Plains Cemetery only, in Block 15 or Blocks 20-28.

In cases where the original owner(s) died many years ago, you first have to establish who the burial rights were passed down to - through probate, wills, or trusts - and present copies of those documents. If the rights currently belong to someone other than you, written/notarized authorization for the burial will need to be obtained from the owner(s).

No. Sale of lots to others is strictly prohibited. Instead, contact the Trustees to return the lot(s) to the Town for the original cost you paid.

No. Planting of bushes and shrubs is strictly prohibited. You may plant flowers or small plants within the one foot (1') area in front of the headstone only.

Those items and others like them are prohibited. Please do not mimic bad behavior. For a full description of what is allowed/prohibited, please refer to the Rules and Regulations.

No. Dogs are not allowed anywhere within the cemetery grounds. Please contact Animal Control at 434-5577 to report violations.