Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Section; Accessory Commercial Units Allowed by Right. Amend RSA 674 by inserting after section 72 the following new section:
674:72-a Accessory Commercial Units.
I. In this section, "accessory commercial unit" means a subordinate commercial space that:
(a) Is located on the same lot as a principal residential or commercial use, either within the same structure or in a detached accessory structure;
(b) Is clearly incidental and secondary to the principal use of the property; and
(c) Provides neighborhood-scale goods or services that do not produce excessive noise, odor, vibration, traffic, or other adverse impacts on surrounding properties.
II. Authorization.
(a) An accessory commercial unit shall be permitted as of right on any lot containing a lawful principal use in every zoning district in the state.
(b) No municipality shall adopt or enforce an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of an accessory commercial unit, except as provided in this section.
III. The following uses shall be permitted by right as accessory commercial units in all zoning districts statewide:
(a) Coffee shop.
(b) Cafe.
(c) Bakery.
(d) Deli or sandwich shop.
(e) Ice cream shop.
(f) Farm stand.
(g) Local market or general store (neighborhood scale).
(h) Bookstore.
(i) Gift shop.
(j) Flower shop.
(k) Craft shop (handmade goods, local art, artisan items).
(l) Clothing alterations and tailoring services.
(m) Shoe repair services.
(n) Barber shop.
(o) Hair salon.
(p) Nail salon.
(q) Massage therapy practice.
(r) Acupuncture practice.
(s) Yoga studio.
(t) Pilates studio.
(u) Martial arts studio.
(v) Personal training studio.
(w) Small fitness studio (non-gym scale).
(x) Professional offices, including:
(1) Tax preparation.
(2) Accounting.
(3) Insurance agency.
(4) Real estate agency.
(5) Counseling or therapy.
(6) Tutoring or educational services.
(y) Daycare center (home-based scale).
(z) Preschool (home-based scale).
(aa) After-school tutoring or learning center.
(bb) Artist studio.
(cc) Art gallery.
(dd) Pottery or ceramics studio.
(ee) Woodworking or carpentry shop (small-scale, non-industrial).
(ff) Jewelry-making studio.
(gg) Maker space or fabrication lab (3D printing, electronics, hobbyist-scale).
(hh) Community garden with produce sales.
(ii) Seasonal produce stand or farm products stand.
(jj) Bicycle repair shop.
(kk) Small electronics repair shop (phones, computers, appliances).
(ll) Sewing, knitting, or quilting studio with retail component.
(mm) Photography studio.
IV. Limitations.
(a) Floor area shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or 25 percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is greater.
(b) Accessory commercial units shall comply with local noise ordinances and shall not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless otherwise permitted by municipal ordinance.
(c) No additional off-street parking shall be required beyond that required for the principal use of the property.
(d) Exterior signage shall be limited to one non-illuminated sign not exceeding 6 square feet.
V. Municipalities may adopt procedures for the registration and inspection of accessory commercial units, provided such procedures are not more restrictive than the provisions of this section.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Accessory Commercial Units Allowed by Right. Amend RSA 674 by inserting after section 72 the following new section:
674:72-a Accessory Commercial Units.
I. In this section, "accessory commercial unit" means a subordinate commercial space that:
(a) Is located on the same lot as a principal residential or commercial use, either within the same structure or in a detached accessory structure;
(b) Is clearly incidental and secondary to the principal use of the property; and
(c) Provides neighborhood-scale goods or services that do not produce excessive noise, odor, vibration, traffic, or other adverse impacts on surrounding properties.
II. Authorization.
(a) An accessory commercial unit shall be permitted as of right on any lot containing a lawful principal use in every zoning district in the state.
(b) No municipality shall adopt or enforce an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of an accessory commercial unit, except as provided in this section.
III. The following uses shall be permitted by right as accessory commercial units in all zoning districts statewide:
(a) Coffee shop.
(b) Cafe.
(c) Bakery.
(d) Deli or sandwich shop.
(e) Ice cream shop.
(f) Farm stand.
(g) Local market or general store (neighborhood scale).
(h) Bookstore.
(i) Gift shop.
(j) Flower shop.
(k) Craft shop (handmade goods, local art, artisan items).
(l) Clothing alterations and tailoring services.
(m) Shoe repair services.
(n) Barber shop.
(o) Hair salon.
(p) Nail salon.
(q) Massage therapy practice.
(r) Acupuncture practice.
(s) Yoga studio.
(t) Pilates studio.
(u) Martial arts studio.
(v) Personal training studio.
(w) Small fitness studio (non-gym scale).
(x) Professional offices, including:
(1) Tax preparation.
(2) Accounting.
(3) Insurance agency.
(4) Real estate agency.
(5) Counseling or therapy.
(6) Tutoring or educational services.
(y) Daycare center (home-based scale).
(z) Preschool (home-based scale).
(aa) After-school tutoring or learning center.
(bb) Artist studio.
(cc) Art gallery.
(dd) Pottery or ceramics studio.
(ee) Woodworking or carpentry shop (small-scale, non-industrial).
(ff) Jewelry-making studio.
(gg) Maker space or fabrication lab (3D printing, electronics, hobbyist-scale).
(hh) Community garden with produce sales.
(ii) Seasonal produce stand or farm products stand.
(jj) Bicycle repair shop.
(kk) Small electronics repair shop (phones, computers, appliances).
(ll) Sewing, knitting, or quilting studio with retail component.
(mm) Photography studio.
IV. Limitations.
(a) Floor area shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or 25 percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is greater.
(b) Accessory commercial units shall comply with local noise ordinances and shall not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless otherwise permitted by municipal ordinance.
(c) No additional off-street parking shall be required beyond that required for the principal use of the property.
(d) Exterior signage shall be limited to one non-illuminated sign not exceeding 6 square feet.
V. Municipalities may adopt procedures for the registration and inspection of accessory commercial units, provided such procedures are not more restrictive than the provisions of this section.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.