Housing (Building Codes)

This bill prevents municipalities from reducing residential density (downzoning) in ways that conflict with existing neighborhood patterns. It requires local governments to approve building permits for residential construction if a licensed architect certifies the proposed density matches surrounding homes. Property owners must provide this certification, and municipalities must issue permits without discretionary review. The law does not affect building codes, safety regulations, or uniform zoning rules already in place.

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.

HB 1145 allows New Hampshire municipalities to impose fees on new developments (like housing projects or subdivisions) that don’t meet local affordable housing requirements. These fees must be kept separate from general city funds and spent *only* on affordable housing - through state housing authorities, community development programs, or local housing agencies. Fees are collected at key development stages (e.g., when a building permit is issued) and must be reported annually on how they’re used. The bill gives municipalities flexibility to set fee amounts based on local needs but requires strict transparency in spending.

HB 1004 exempts detached residential buildings with up to four dwelling units (such as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) from automatic sprinkler system requirements in new construction, renovations, or conversions. The bill amends state building and fire codes to remove the mandate for sprinklers in these properties while allowing local authorities to require alternative water sources like cisterns or dry hydrants. Existing buildings without sprinklers are not required to retrofit them, and the exemption applies to all new projects starting 60 days after the bill's passage.

This bill changes how towns regulate manufactured homes. It requires municipalities to allow siting on residential lots with the same zoning rules as single-family homes (not just in parks), and mandates "reasonable efforts" to accommodate them. Existing manufactured housing parks must follow NFPA 501A fire safety standards for expansions. It also allows disaster victims to temporarily live in manufactured homes on their property for 30 days after a building permit is issued, while rebuilding their primary residence.