Bill > SB283

This bill modifies local zoning regulations to provide more flexibility for new construction by changing how floor-area-ratio (FAR) is calculated. Specifically, the bill requires municipalities to exclude below-grade areas (such as basements, cellars, and sublevels) from FAR calculations, which means these underground spaces will not count against the total allowable building size. This change allows developers to utilize below-grade areas for parking, storage, mechanical spaces, and other facilities without impacting the building's overall floor area ratio. Additionally, the bill mandates that municipal planning and zoning boards review and potentially adjust height limitations to maximize construction potential, ensuring that the new FAR calculation method doesn't unintentionally restrict building height. The definitions provided clarify that "new construction" includes both newly erected buildings and major renovations, and "floor-area-ratio" is the ratio of a building's total floor area to its land parcel size. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, giving municipalities time to update their zoning regulations accordingly.

Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=1093&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB283