Bill > SB27

This bill modifies existing regulations for dwellings constructed over water in New Hampshire, specifically allowing more flexibility for repair, reconstruction, and improvement of such structures. The bill permits existing dwellings over water that were originally constructed legally to be repaired, reconstructed, or improved for maintenance purposes or to comply with state or local building codes, using modern technologies while maintaining a functionally equivalent use. Notably, the bill allows for certain expansions that were previously prohibited, such as adding means of egress required by building codes, without considering these additions as impermissible footprint expansions. The bill also gives the commissioner of environmental services discretion to waive existing standards to allow structure improvements that provide greater environmental protection, with the condition that such improvements do not change the structure's basic use from water-based recreational to land-based residential or commercial. The expansion must not cause new water penetrations, expand the existing footprint, or add to the living space square footage. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, and has been assessed to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 annually for the years 2025 through 2028.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=972&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB27