The instructions formed by the Southern NH Planning Commission detail a step-by-step process a municipality should use in conducting a Build-Out Analysis. This document contains helpful information on what a Build-Out Analysis is, what questions it can answer, and the type of community best served by conducting an Analysis. The instructions detail two stages in the process, Mapping and Interpretation which entails compiling data and creating maps to create estimates, and Quantitative Analysis which is where the information collected is quantifi.. Read More

This is the text of the ordinance that was brought to vote to allow North Hampton to authorize the issuance of bonds and notes and allow the selectman to use them toward the acquisition of property or easements. This ordinance, along with the open space committee, North Hampton Forever, has been working to acquire land... Read More

Town of Warner, NH has an ordinance that requires fast-food and drive-in restaurants to be at least 2,000 feet apart. This caps the density of fast-food restaurants and helps prevent food swamps near important public places. .. Read More

This law was created to protect the Great South Beach in Fire Island National Seashore from ecological damage due to overdevelopment. The law does so by placing regulations on construction within the three districts that the island has been separated in to, which are: Residential, Oceanfront, and Commercial. .. Read More

The Town of Epping, New Hampshire, population 5,476, established a more stringent energy code than the state, which adopted the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2006 Edition with amendments. The town's energy efficiency and sustainable design code is based on a system that awards points for various sustainable elements and energy production practices. Epping’s point system is similar to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system in establishing criteria to meet heightened energy .. Read More

This is a very brief law that regulates use in the conservation district to primarily recreation and resource extraction... Read More

“Overriding districts”—more commonly known as overlay districts—are superimposed on existing zoning districts. Their regulations supplement existing zoning regulations, and in this ordinance are adopted to protect watercourses and wetlands as well as steep slope areas. The ordinance is intended to preserve the flora and fauna of the community and to maintain high water quality. This ordinance is adopted under the authority of New Hampshire’s Planning and Zoning enabling act, § 674:16, and the state’s Comprehensive Shorelands Protection Act § .. Read More

New Hampshire does not require local governments to adopt zoning, but if a local government chooses to zone it is required first to adopt a master plan. The master plan must include a vision section and a land use element. It may also include transportation, community facilities, economic development, natural resources, natural hazards, and recreation elements. The state’s grant of power to local governments extends the purposes of the Standard State Zoning Enabling Act to expressly include the use of innovative planning techniques and the use.. Read More

This is a law that regulates use in the conservation district. It limits commercial development and regulates the aesthetic nature of developments as well as protecting natural resources such as riparian areas... Read More

Solar and wind-powered devices are permitted in Francestown, New Hampshire for commercial use on lots of three acres or more at an elevation of fewer than 1,000 feet. According to its table of Permitted Uses and Special Exceptions, solar and wind-powered devices are permitted in Francestown’s Village and Rural Districts by special exception as well as in its Steep Slope, Aquifer, and Flood Plain Overlay Districts. Francestown, however, does not have a separate section within its Zoning Ordinance that describes the regulations or requirements fo.. Read More

Within its Zoning Ordinance, the Town of Gorham in New Hampshire defines solar energy systems as “any equipment or system utilizing solar energy to provide electricity and/or space heating or cooling, hot water heating and swimming pool heating.” Within the Town of Gorham, roof- or wall- mounted solar collectors are a permitted use in all zoning districts. Non-roof- or wall-mounted solar energy systems, however, are only allowed by special exception. “All installations are required to meet Section M2301 of the International Building Code.” .. Read More