permitting residential building in commercial zoning.
HB 631 allows residential buildings to be constructed in areas currently zoned exclusively for commercial use. This change directly affects property owners, developers, and future residents in commercial zones who may now build homes or apartments. The key provision amends zoning rules to permit residential use without requiring separate rezoning for each property. The bill became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Bill status
signed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Failed
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Jan 16, 2025
Signed Jul 22, 2025
Floor votes · House Mar 20, 2025
How they voted
64–121
Failed · 36 other
Total votes 221
Mar 20, 2025
D
Democratic106
71% Nay
I
Independent2
50% Yea
R
Republican113
47% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Jul 22, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 201; eff. 07/01/2026 HJ 18
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025, Vote 5-1; SC 20
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 9
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (64-121-36)
house
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0667h: MA DV 204-134 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 96
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Introduced
Amendment # 2025-0667h (NT): AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 93
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0667h (NT) 03/04/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Full Committee Work Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 3 P. 19
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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