In order to create a more efficient system for the City to adopt and adjust municipal fees, a process was adopted to review municipal fees annually. The Fee Committee consists of two City Councilors, the City Manager and a Finance Department representative. 

The role of the Economic Development Commission is to ensure continued economic prosperity and preservation of the qualities that attract and retain businesses in the community. The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on a wide variety of issues related to economic development, including business development, public-private partnerships, maintenance and development of the commercial, industrial and central business districts, and business attraction programs. (9 members, 4-year terms).

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) has served the seacoast region of New Hampshire (Rockingham and Strafford Counties) and Berwick, Maine with affordable, safe transportation since 1982.

Since the 1970's, federal Community Development Block Grant projects aimed to support persons who earn very low- to moderate- incomes have worked to develop viable urban communities by:

Latest Updates

Cellphone Service Survey

The City of Portsmouth NH’s Cable and Broadband Internet Commission conducted two surveys in 2025 — one to residents and one to businesses — to gather information about their experiences with cellular service in the community. Feedback from the surveys is being used to help the Commission better understand service issues and work with service providers toward potential improvements.  

Provider News: AT&T

The Building Code Board of Appeals hears and decides appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of the various city adopted construction codes. (5 members, 2 alternates; 5-year terms) For further information, please contact the Inspection Department at (603) 610-7243.