HB 342 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
13Mar2025... 0579h
2025 SESSION
25-0634
06/08
HOUSE BILL 342
AN ACT relative to the approval process for new construction.
SPONSORS: Rep. Long, Hills. 26; Sen. Innis, Dist 7
COMMITTEE: Housing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill allows property owners to build on their property without seeking a variance for minimum lot size or lot coverage if the proposed building density conforms to that of the surrounding neighborhood, as verified by the local planning board.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
13Mar2025... 0579h 25-0634
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to the approval process for new construction.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Property Density Conformity and Building Without Variance Innovative. Amend RSA 674 by inserting after section 21-a the following new section:
674:21-b Property Density Conformity and Building Without Variance.
I. In this section:
(a) "Density" means the number of dwelling units per acre or the percentage of lot coverage by buildings and structures.
(b) "Neighborhood" means the properties within a 1,000-foot radius of the subject property's boundary lines.
II. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, property owners shall be allowed to build on their property without seeking a variance for minimum lot size or percentage of lot coverage if the proposed building conforms to the density of the neighborhood, which shall be assessed based on the density of 51 percent of the properties within a 1,000-foot radius built before the effective date of this section.
III. The zoning administrator shall be responsible for verifying that the proposed building conforms to the density requirements under this section.
IV. Property owners seeking to build shall submit documentation proving that new or existing lots conform to the requirements in this section to the zoning administrator for review and approval.
V. Property owners seeking to subdivide a lot within a 1,000-foot radius shall obtain planning board approval.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2025 | 2025-0579h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 21, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| March 4, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| March 4, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
March 19, 2025: Introduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 8
March 13, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0579h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8
March 13, 2025: Amendment # 2025-0579h: AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8
March 5, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0579h 03/04/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
March 5, 2025: Executive Session: 03/04/2025 09:00 am LOB 305
Feb. 25, 2025: Subcommittee Work Session: 03/04/2025 09:00 am LOB 305
Feb. 5, 2025: Subcommittee Work Session: 02/11/2025 02:00 pm LOB 305
Jan. 9, 2025: Public Hearing: 01/21/2025 02:00 pm LOB 210-211
Jan. 8, 2025: Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 2 P. 15