Housing

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 65: directing landlords to offer tenants the option of reporting rental payments to consumer reporting agencies.

HB 65 requires landlords in New Hampshire to offer tenants the option of having their rental payments reported to credit bureaus (consumer reporting agencies). Landlords must provide this written option at lease signing and annually thereafter, including details about the optional nature of reporting, fee limits ($10/month max), and a 6-month restriction if a tenant later opts out. The bill directly affects tenants (who can choose to improve credit scores) and landlords (who must facilitate the reporting process), while exempting small landlords owning 14 or fewer units. Key provisions include mandatory written elections, tenant control over reporting, and prohibitions against using unpaid fees as grounds for lease termination. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to offer tenants credit reporting for rent payments, strengthening tenant credit-building rights under housing protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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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 Jan 7, 2026

HB 465: relative to the housing opportunity zone program.

HB 465 amends New Hampshire's housing opportunity zone program to add income verification requirements for properties in these zones. It requires municipalities to establish how often property owners must verify tenant income (at move-in and no more than annually), with a special exception for accessory dwelling units priced affordably for households earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMLI). The bill also ensures tenants who initially qualified but later lost income eligibility can renew their lease for at least one year. This directly affects cities/towns establishing housing zones, property owners, and low-income renters in those zones. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds income verification to maintain affordability in housing opportunity zones, with exception for 80% AMLI units and protects tenants who lose income eligibility.95% confidence

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 175: relative to the use of covenants by municipalities.

SB 175 allows municipalities to enforce valid private covenants (like neighborhood rules set by homeowners' associations) but prohibits them from requiring or encouraging such covenants as a condition for zoning or land use approvals. The bill specifically exempts workforce housing developments from this prohibition, permitting municipalities to require covenants for these projects under separate rules. This directly affects municipalities (which must adjust their approval processes), developers (especially for workforce housing), and property owners with existing covenants. The law takes effect 60 days after passage, creating clear boundaries for when covenants can be enforced versus when they cannot be mandated.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts workforce housing developments from covenant restrictions, facilitating affordable housing projects by allowing municipalities to require covenants for these specific developments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1349: relative to exemptions from multi-family zoning requirements for small or low-density communities.

HB 1349 exempts small, low-density municipalities (those with fewer than 250 residents per square mile based on U.S. Census data) from state requirements that typically mandate permitting multi-family housing on commercially zoned land. This directly affects towns meeting the population density threshold, regardless of whether the Census Bureau classifies them as rural or urban. The bill removes the obligation for these communities to allow multi-family development on commercial properties, using Census data to determine eligibility without considering overlapping area designations. The exemption applies immediately upon the bill's passage, changing zoning rules for eligible towns.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill exempts small municipalities from requiring multi-family housing on commercial land, limiting housing development and reducing affordable housing options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Tags Rural Communities

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1814: establishing a 10-year strategic housing and infrastructure plan.

HB 1814 establishes a 10-year statewide strategic housing and infrastructure plan (SHIP) that requires the governor to develop and update the plan every two years. The plan must identify housing needs, incorporate regional infrastructure projects, and include public input through hearings in each executive council district. It directly affects state agencies (like the Department of Business and Economic Affairs), municipalities (which must update master plans every 10 years), and regional planning organizations. The bill also expands the Council on Housing Stability’s membership to include regional planning representatives and housing advocates, ensuring broader input into housing strategy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 10-year strategic housing plan identifying needs, requiring public input and infrastructure coordination, directly advancing housing development and planning efforts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates regional infrastructure projects in statewide plan, directly supporting transportation infrastructure development through planning and funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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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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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1010: relative to multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land.

HB 1010 repeals a statewide law requiring New Hampshire municipalities to permit multi-family residential development (like apartment buildings) on land zoned for commercial use. This directly affects all cities and towns that previously had to allow such projects on commercial properties. The bill removes two specific statutes (RSA 674:79 and RSA 674:80) that created this mandate, giving local governments discretion over zoning decisions. The repeal takes effect on June 30, 2026.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRepeals mandate requiring municipalities to permit multi-family housing on commercial land, removing a requirement that facilitated housing development and limiting local housing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

died · New Hampshire · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 1008: relative to modifying innovative land use controls, requirements, and appeals.

HB 1008 clarifies the definition of "inclusionary zoning" to include voluntary incentives like density bonuses or streamlined applications that encourage affordable housing development. It expands local government options for promoting affordable housing and creates a new process allowing developers to propose alternative compliance methods for inclusionary zoning requirements. If a planning board disagrees with an applicant's alternative solution, the bill permits third-party review under existing law. This directly affects municipalities establishing housing policies and developers seeking to build affordable units under local ordinances. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill clarifies inclusionary zoning to include voluntary incentives like density bonuses, expands local options for affordable housing, and creates alternative compliance processes for developers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use 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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