RSA 674:16 IV

CHAPTER 674
LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATORY POWERS
Zoning
Section 674:16

674:16 Grant of Power. --

I. For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, or the general welfare of the community, the local legislative body of any city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places is authorized to adopt or amend a zoning ordinance under the ordinance enactment procedures of RSA 675:2-5. The zoning ordinance shall be designed to regulate and restrict:

(a) The height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures;

(b) Lot sizes, the percentage of a lot that may be occupied, and the size of yards, courts and other open spaces;

(c) The density of population in the municipality; and

(d) The location and use of buildings, structures and land used for business, industrial, residential, or other purposes.

II. The power to adopt a zoning ordinance under this subdivision expressly includes the power to adopt innovative land use controls which may include, but which are not limited to, the methods contained in RSA 674:21.

III. In its exercise of the powers granted under this subdivision, the local legislative body of a city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places may regulate and control the timing of development as provided in RSA 674:22.

IV. Except as provided in RSA 424:5 or RSA 422-B or in any other provision of Title XXXIX, no city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places shall adopt or amend a zoning ordinance or regulation with respect to antennas used exclusively in the amateur radio services that fails to conform to the limited federal preemption entitled Amateur Radio Preemption, 101 FCC 2nd 952 (1985) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

V. In its exercise of the powers granted under this subdivision, the local legislative body of a city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places may regulate and control accessory uses on private land. Unless specifically proscribed by local land use regulation, aircraft take offs and landings on private land by the owner of such land or by a person who resides on such land shall be considered a valid and permitted accessory use.

Source. 1983, 447:1. 1985, 103:19. 1989, 266:14, 15. 1995, 176:1, eff. Aug. 4, 1995. 1996, 218:1, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

RSA 674:17 III

TITLE LXIV
PLANNING AND ZONING

CHAPTER 674
LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATORY POWERS

Zoning

Section 674:17

674:17 Purposes of Zoning Ordinances. --
I. Every zoning ordinance shall be adopted in accordance with the requirements of RSA 674:18. Zoning ordinances shall be designed:
(a) To lessen congestion in the streets;
(b) To secure safety from fires, panic and other dangers;
(c) To promote health and the general welfare;
(d) To provide adequate light and air;
(e) To prevent the overcrowding of land;
(f) To avoid undue concentration of population;
(g) To facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, solid waste facilities, water, sewerage, schools, parks, child day care;
(h) To assure proper use of natural resources and other public requirements;
(i) To encourage the preservation of agricultural lands and buildings; and
(j) To encourage the installation and use of solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems and protect access to energy sources by the regulation of orientation of streets, lots, and buildings; establishment of maximum building height, minimum set back requirements, and limitations on type, height, and placement of vegetation; and encouragement of the use of solar skyspace easements under RSA 477. Zoning ordinances may establish buffer zones or additional districts which overlap existing districts and may further regulate the planting and trimming of vegetation on public and private property to protect access to renewable energy systems.
II. Every zoning ordinance shall be made with reasonable consideration to, among other things, the character of the area involved and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, as well as with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the municipality.
III. Except as provided in RSA 424:5 or RSA 422-B or in any other provision of Title XXXIX, no city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places shall adopt a zoning ordinance or regulation with respect to antennas used exclusively in the amateur radio service that fails to conform to the limited federal preemption entitled Amateur Radio Preemption, 101 FCC 2nd 952 (1985) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

Source. 1983, 447:1. 1989, 42:2. 1995, 176:2, eff. Aug. 4, 1995. 2000, 279:2, eff. July 1, 2001. 2002, 73:2, eff. June 30, 2002.