Housing (Property Development)

passed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 410: limiting local authority to adopt restrictions on the building and development of residential properties.

HB 410 requires New Hampshire towns and cities to justify certain zoning restrictions on residential properties using scientific evidence from non-partisan sources, rather than arbitrary rules. It defines "extraordinary restrictions" as those exceeding specific thresholds, such as lot sizes over 5 acres per unit, minimum home sizes over 200 square feet, or fees exceeding $100 for low-income homeowners. Residents affected by these restrictions can appeal to their local zoning board, which must pause enforcement while reviewing whether the evidence meets the bill’s standards. The law aims to limit local government authority over housing development by mandating evidence-based decisions and creating a clear appeal process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits restrictive zoning (e.g., large lot sizes, high fees) requiring scientific justification, directly promoting housing development and affordability by reducing barriers to residential construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 90: allowing high-density residential development on land zoned for commercial use.

SB 90 allows municipalities to permit high-density residential housing (defined as at least 20 units per acre) on land currently zoned for commercial use like retail or offices. It directly affects local governments, which must permit such development if adequate infrastructure (roads, water, sewage) is available or provided. The bill amends zoning rules to remove barriers for mixed-use projects combining residential and commercial space, requiring only that infrastructure supports the new housing. This policy change aims to increase housing options in areas currently limited to business uses, without mandating new construction. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables high-density housing on commercial zones, removing zoning barriers to increase housing supply and development capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 231: relative to road frontage requirements and setbacks for wetlands.

SB 231 would limit local zoning requirements for road frontage and setbacks near wetlands to a maximum of 50 feet, aiming to increase housing density by reducing the minimum distance properties must be from wetlands. The bill ensures these limits remain consistent with existing shoreland protection standards (RSA 483-B:9) and do not override broader environmental regulations (RSA 489:2). It directly affects local governments creating zoning rules and developers building near wetlands, allowing more compact development while maintaining current environmental safeguards. The bill amends state law to add this purpose to zoning ordinances and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces wetland setback requirements from existing standards, weakening environmental buffers to increase housing density despite referencing broader regulations.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces wetland setback requirements to increase housing density, directly advancing housing development by allowing more construction near wetlands.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1713: relative to zoning conformity and redevelopment standards.

HB 1713 establishes new standards for affordable housing development in New Hampshire by revising zoning laws. It defines "eligible housing" for low-income (80% or less of median area income) and moderate-income (80%-140% of median area income) residents, and authorizes the transfer of surplus state-owned property to the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority for affordable housing projects. The bill requires affordability restrictions on housing developed on transferred properties, including rules for occupancy, resale, and mixed-income housing. This directly affects state agencies managing surplus property, the Housing Finance Authority, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes zoning standards for affordable housing, defines income eligibility, authorizes state property transfer to Housing Finance Authority for affordable projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1786: relative to creating a state assessment on non-homestead luxury second homes to fund statewide housing development programs and address housing shortages and making appropriations therefor.

HB 1786 imposes a semi-annual state assessment on residential properties valued over $1 million that are not used as a primary residence (luxury second homes), directly affecting owners of such properties. The revenue generated funds statewide housing development programs, including $15 million for workforce training in building trades and municipal grants for housing production. Key provisions include creating a dedicated fund for demolishing vacant buildings, expanding tax credits for housing infrastructure, and establishing a commission to study state financing for housing. The bill aims to address New Hampshire's housing shortage by leveraging new revenue to support affordable housing construction and workforce development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on luxury second homes to fund housing programs, directly advancing fiscal allocation for essential services under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing development via luxury home tax, allocates $15M for workforce training and municipal grants, and creates dedicated fund for vacant building demolition.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $15M for workforce training in building trades, directly advancing labor and employment through skills development for construction jobs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes Workforce Development

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1327: relative to the definition of commercially-zoned land.

HB 1327 updates the legal definitions of "commercially-zoned land" and "mixed-use" in New Hampshire law. It clarifies that commercially-zoned land refers to areas where commercial use is permitted under local zoning rules, and defines mixed-use development as projects combining residential or other uses within a single building or area approved by a local planning board. These changes directly affect developers seeking approval for projects that blend residential and commercial spaces, requiring planning board review for such developments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies definitions for mixed-use development, enabling residential components in commercial zones and facilitating housing projects through streamlined local approvals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1613: directing the department of business and economic affairs to produce a report detailing methods to increase lending practices for housing developments that help persons with disabilities.

HB 1613 directs New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs to produce a report by November 1, 2026, on methods to encourage financial institutions to increase lending for housing developments designed for people with disabilities. The report must identify specific incentives like tax credits, loan guarantees, and regulatory strategies, after consulting with at least five lenders (including community banks) and disability advocates. It does not create new laws or provide funding but will recommend legislative changes to support accessible housing development. The bill affects housing developers seeking financing and lenders through potential future policy adjustments based on the report's findings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirects report to increase lending for disability housing developments, advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable groups through financial incentives and stakeholder consultation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Tags People with Disabilities

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1065: relative to multi-family and mixed-use development in commercially zoned areas.

This bill requires New Hampshire municipalities to permit multi-family housing (like apartment buildings) on land currently zoned for commercial use (e.g., stores or offices), provided adequate infrastructure (roads, water, sewage) exists. It also allows towns to mandate ground-floor retail space in new mixed-use developments and block residential use in industrial zones where impacts like noise or pollution might occur. Municipalities can convert existing nonconforming buildings (e.g., outdated structures) to housing without making them more nonconforming. Implementation costs are estimated to be minimal, under $10,000 per municipality.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires municipalities to permit multi-family housing in commercial zones, increasing housing supply and development opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 509: preventing municipalities from limiting dead-end road length if compliant with the state fire code.

SB 509 prevents municipalities from restricting the length of dead-end roads or cul-de-sacs in new subdivisions or building permits, provided the road design meets state fire code requirements. It directly affects developers seeking approval for new residential areas and local governments reviewing subdivision plans or building permits. The bill amends state laws to explicitly prohibit length-based denials when fire access compliance is certified, removing existing municipal restrictions. This creates a clear standard: if a dead-end road passes fire code checks, local governments cannot block development solely due to its length. The policy change applies immediately upon passage, with no additional cost or process for developers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves municipal barriers to housing development by allowing longer dead-end roads compliant with fire code, facilitating new residential projects without restricting subdivision approvals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 564: prohibiting certain municipal development restrictions.

SB 564 prohibits municipalities from restricting maximum road length (as long as state fire code standards are met) or imposing numerical limits on housing lots in dead-end streets. It also requires municipalities to allow utilities (like septic systems and power lines) in designated open space or buffer areas of subdivisions, excluding wetlands and protected shoreland. The bill directly affects local governments and developers by removing specific development barriers that increase housing costs. It does not override fire code, environmental protections under RSA 482-A or RSA 483-B, or municipal authority to enforce health/safety standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires municipalities to allow power lines (energy infrastructure) in buffer areas, directly facilitating utility infrastructure development without restrictions.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves municipal barriers (road length limits, lot number restrictions) that increase housing costs, directly advancing affordable housing development per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development