The Zoning Board of Adjustment consists of seven members and two alternates. The Board typically meets on the third Tuesday of every month.  The Board rules on requests for Variances and Special Exceptions from the Zoning Ordinance as well as Appeals from Administrative Decisions. Click here for the Board of Adjustment Rules & Regulations.

The Sustainability Committee consists of twelve members and up to two member seats for current students from Portsmouth High School. In addition, one staff liaison from the Planning and Sustainability Department, one City Councilor and one School Board member hold seats on the Committee. The Committee regularly meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, unless otherwise noticed.

The charge of this Committee is to develop a near-term, action plan that will improve Vaughan Mall as a public space, connect the mall to adjacent properties and walkable areas, and provide a proactive, environmentally-friendly, interim step that is consistent with and that builds momentum toward the 2017 vision for the Vaughan Mall, and Worth and Bridge Street Parking Lots.

This Committee, established to work on recommendations for the City Council to support housing, completed its charge in 2016 and adjourned. The final recommendations have been adopted by City Council and work on the policy and recommendations will be ongoing.

Housing Committee Final Report to Council, November 2016

3D Massing Model

The City of Portsmouth has been proud to offer our 3D-massing modelling feature. These 3D maps are available for the public to explore and review the buildings in the Portsmouth Historic Downtown area. To view all the areas in 3D please click here.

Wayfinding is a broad term used to describe the different ways that people orient themselves in a physical setting and navigate from place to place.  When used in the context of a particular community, wayfinding systems may include a variety of tools (both physical and virtual) that provide a predictable and consistent way for people to

The New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway (NHSG) is a bicycle and pedestrian route that is designed to connect the eight coastal communities of Seabrook, Hampton Falls, Hampton, North Hampton, Rye, Greenland, New Castle and Portsmouth. The route will total 17.2 miles using the abandoned corridor of the former Boston and Maine Railroad from Seabrook to Portsmouth.

The City continues to work on a number of initiatives to support the City's effort to become more bikeable and walkable.

Zoning Ordinance

The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote the health, safety and the general welfare of Portsmouth and its region in accordance with the City of Portsmouth Master Plan.

A wetland buffer is a setback area between a stream, river, or wetland and any upland development. It maintains the natural vegetation cover along the waterway, which is an essential part of the aquatic ecosystem. A wetland buffer is a simple land management practice that is employed by municipalities to protect property and conserve natural resources.