How to Find Permits, Applications, and Forms on des.nh.gov

Updated

The NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) website at des.nh.gov organizes permits, applications, and forms by environmental program area rather than in one central download folder. To find what you need, start with the site's search function or the main navigation menu, then narrow down to the specific program (air, water, waste, wetlands, etc.) that regulates your activity. The exact menu labels and page paths can change, so treat the steps below as a navigation strategy rather than a fixed map.

Start With Search or the Main Menu

Because NHDES covers many regulatory areas, the fastest route depends on whether you already know the program name.

  • If you know the program name (for example, "Air Resources," "Waste Management," "Water Division," or "Wetlands"), use the site search box or the main navigation menu to jump to that program's section. Permit and form links are typically published within each program's pages.
  • If you don't know the program name, describe your project in plain terms in the search box — for example, "septic permit," "shoreland application," or "air permit" — and look for results on official NHDES program pages.
  • Check for an A–Z index or "Forms" / "Permits" landing page. Many state agency sites maintain one; if NHDES offers one, it can be the quickest way to browse by document name.

Use the Program Area as Your Filter

NHDES regulates distinct areas, and each area publishes its own application materials. Common groupings include:

If your activity involves… Look under a program area like…
Air emissions or equipment Air Resources
Drinking water, wastewater, septic, or shoreland Water programs
Solid or hazardous waste, recycling Waste Management
Wetlands, dredge and fill, shoreland impact Wetlands / Shoreland
Site cleanup or contamination Remediation / Waste site programs

The precise names and structure are set by NHDES and may be reorganized, so confirm the current label on the site before relying on a remembered path.

Verify You Have the Right Document

Once you reach a program page:

  1. Match the form to your activity. Program pages usually group materials by permit type or application category; read the short description next to each link.
  2. Check the revision date. Permit forms are updated periodically; use the current version listed on the page rather than an older copy you may have saved.
  3. Look for instructions and fees. Application pages typically link to guidance documents and fee information alongside the form itself — review these before submitting.

Common Stumbling Points

  • Searching by form number instead of topic. If you don't know the form number, search by what you want to do ("apply for…") rather than a code.
  • Landing on a news or announcement page. Agency homepages often feature news items; use the navigation menu or search to reach the program section instead.
  • Assuming one central forms library. Materials are distributed across program pages, so if one section doesn't have your form, check the related program area.

If You Still Can't Find It

Use the contact information published for the relevant program division — program pages typically list a phone number or email for permit questions. Describing your project to the program staff is often faster than continuing to search, especially for unusual or combined applications.