Bill > HB631

This bill requires municipalities to permit multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land, with several key provisions and nuanced guidelines. The legislation defines key terms such as "commercially zoned land" (areas zoned for retail and office space), "mixed-use" (developments combining different types of uses), and "adaptive reuse" (repurposing existing buildings for residential purposes). Municipalities must allow multi-family residential development in commercial zones, but only if adequate infrastructure like roads, water, and sewage systems are available or can be provided. The bill allows municipalities to restrict residential development in zones with industrial or manufacturing uses that might create incompatible impacts like noise, air pollution, or transportation challenges. Municipalities can also require a percentage of ground floor space to be dedicated to retail uses. A notable provision offers exemptions for adaptive reuse projects, allowing buildings to be converted to residential or mixed-use without needing to modify existing setbacks, height, or frontage requirements, provided the building's overall dimensions remain unchanged. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to increase housing flexibility while giving municipalities some discretionary power in implementation.

Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0683&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB631