A. 
The New Hampshire Building Code, also called the "State Building Code," and the State Fire Code apply to all buildings, building components and structures constructed in New Hampshire.
B. 
The State Fire Code incorporates by reference the most recent edition of the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101. Also incorporated into the State Building Code by reference are:
(1) 
International Building Code.
(2) 
International Existing Building Code.
(3) 
International Plumbing Code.
(4) 
International Mechanical Code.
(5) 
International Energy Conservation Code.
(6) 
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
(7) 
International Residential Code.
(8) 
National Electrical Code.
C. 
The above codes are typically updated on a two- or three-year cycle. Per RSA 155-A:10, V, the State Building Code Review Board is to maintain a publicly available list of applicable building codes and adopt updates of the above-listed nationally recognized codes for inclusion in the State Building Code. The Rye Building Inspector shall post at the Town Hall and on the Town website the versions of the above codes which are in effect in New Hampshire.
D. 
Sections 105, 108, 202, 304.1, 305.1, 308, 403.1, 404, 502.1, 505.4, and 602.3 of the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code published by the International Code Council are incorporated by reference into the Rye Building Code. Notes:
(1) 
These provisions are adopted only for units which are not owner-occupied. An owner shall not rent or let a dwelling unit, a motel or hotel unit, a tourist camp unit, a rooming house or boardinghouse unit or a dormitory unit to another person unless such unit complies with these provisions. These provisions may be enforced against both owners and occupants of units.
(2) 
Exempted from Section 404, Occupancy Limitations, are units occupied by the same renter(s) for 14 consecutive days or less.
(3) 
The heat supply requirements of Section 602.3 apply only from September 1 to May 31.
(4) 
A copy of the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code is available for inspection at the office of the Building Inspector.
Building plans for all new residential or commercial buildings must be signed and stamped by a licensed design professional (i.e., architect or professional engineer, as applicable).
All heating units and installations, including water-heating equipment, wood stoves and outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters (OWHHs), shall be inspected and approved by the Fire Department.
A. 
Definition. Outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters (OWHH) are freestanding wood-burning devices that heat a liquid (water or antifreeze) which in turn is pumped to a residence or other structure to provide heat.
B. 
Regulations.
(1) 
Emission levels. Until April 1, 2010, only OWHHs which met EPA Phase I or Phase II emission limits as measured by EPA Method 28 with a "year round rating" are permitted to be installed. After April 1, 2010, only OWHHs certified by the EPA as meeting Phase II emission levels are permitted to be installed. Units meeting Phase I levels are sometimes referred to as "orange tag" models, and units meeting Phase II levels are sometimes referred to as "white tag" models.
(2) 
Permitted fuels. Permitted fuels shall be as prescribed in RSA 125-R:4.
(3) 
Setbacks. An OWHH shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from the nearest property line.
(4) 
Stack height. The stack height of an OWHH shall be at least two feet higher than the peak of the roof of any residence or business not served by the OWHH which is within 300 feet of the OWHH.
(5) 
Safety requirements. A OWHH shall have a suitable enclosure or other means that will assure only authorized access. All stacks shall have a spark arrester or equivalent device. All pipes to the area served shall be buried.
C. 
Application/notice. All OWHHs require a permit from the Building Inspector. The owner/applicant shall provide the Building Inspector with a copy of the notice to buyers required by RSA 125-R:8. This notice includes acknowledgment that the buyer was provided a copy of RSA 125-R, a list of approved fuels, and a statement that they are aware that the municipality has ordinances which may limit the use of OWHHs. The notice must be signed by the buyer and distributor/seller and include the name and address of the owner, name and model number of the manufacturer, and the date of manufacture.
D. 
Exemptions. Outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters designed with both metered fuel and air feed, e.g., principles of the "pellet stove," which are compliant with RSA 125-R:5 are exempt from these regulations, except for the safety requirements of Subsection B(5).
Automatic fire sprinklers shall be required in newly constructed or substantially renovated commercial, industrial or business occupancies containing more than 2,500 gross square feet. Sprinklers shall be required in existing buildings where a use change would result in a more hazardous classification as determined by the Rye Fire Department and the Rye Building Department.
When a building or structure or any portion thereof is found to be a fire hazard or a hazard to public safety or health upon inspection by the Building Inspector and/or the Fire Chief, the inspecting official may order such building or structure or any portion thereof to be made safe or to be razed or removed. If such order is not properly complied with, or if the Building Inspector prefers to proceed directly under state statutes, the Building Inspector shall notify the Select Board of such noncompliance or of such finding of hazard. If the Select Board find such hazard exists, they may proceed to order and enforce the correction of such hazardous condition of such building or its razing or removal in accordance with the terms of Chapter 334, Laws of 1967, as now embodied in RSA 155-B and all amendments or revisions thereof, and for the purposes of this code all definitions, terms, and procedure set forth in said statute are adopted and made a part of this section of this code by reference. In the alternative, the Select Board may proceed to institute an appropriate action under § 35-7 of this Building Code for imposition of a fine for noncompliance with the provisions of this section, or take such other action in law or equity as they deem appropriate.