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HB 457 · 2025 · House · Housing Committee

Limits on dwelling occupancy zoning

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to zoning restrictions on dwelling units.

Prohibits municipalities and counties from adopting or enforcing ordinances that restrict dwelling unit occupancy to fewer than 2 occupants per bedroom or that base occupancy limits on familial relationship, marital status, employment, or educational status.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the legislative body of a city, town, village district, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that restricts the number of occupants of any dwelling unit to less than 2 occupants per bedroom or is based on the familial or non-familial relationships or marital status, occupation, employment status, or the educational status, including but not limited to scholastic enrollment or academic achievement at any level among the occupants of the dwelling unit, including but not limited to college students.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In its exercise of the powers granted under this subdivision, the legislative body of a city, town, village district, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places shall not adopt any ordinance that restricts the number of occupants of any dwelling unit to less than 2 occupants per bedroom, and the governing body thereof shall not enforce any such ordinance.”
Section 188:1
“Nothing in this section shall prohibit the enforcement of the state building code or state fire code.”
Section 188:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Diane PauerRPrimeChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Hope DamonDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Ellen ReadDDeputy Ranking Member· Housing
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Harry BeanR, Rep. Samuel FarringtonR, Rep. Adam PresaR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Sen. Tara ReardonD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

81 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

73% support26% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I urge you to SUPPORT this bill. In times like these when NH residents are in a housing shortage (housing crisis, really), expanding accessibility within dwelling units is paramount to the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors.…”
— Sarah McCarthy, Manchestersupports
“Currently, the affordable housing crisis is running rampant through the state. By lifting local zoning laws to allow for more than two occupants to live in a bedroom per housing unit, the state will alleviate the affordable housing crisis.…”
— Taylor Barry, Nashuasupports
“I support this bill as it would potentially decrease barriers for older adults wishing to share homes with unrelated individuals. Many older adults can no longer afford to maintain their large-single family homes, once they are living on a fixed income.…”
— Polly Campion, Etnasupports
“I am a resident of Durham, NH, and oppose bill HB457. Towns & cities who host institutions of higher education (i.e. UNH, Keene State, Plymouth, various private institutions) need the ability to create sensible zoning ordinances appropriate to the safety, well-being and general community interest.…”
— Joanna Young, Durhamopposes
“This bill would disrupt downtown residential downtown neighborhoods. and disturb the quality and peace we currently enjoy.”
— Joan Friel, Durhamopposes
“I am concerned this bill will greatly negatively impact the quality of life for family neighborhoods in college towns like Durham. I love living in a university town, and welcome the students and the opportunities offered at UNH.…”
— Maura Slavin, Durhamopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing4:42:34–4:59:3316m 59slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0917h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0917h (NT) — adopted, voice vote
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce1:43:38–1:46:593m 21slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2152s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2152s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-2152s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:50:21–2:01:2111mlocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2152s (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, division 179-170
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 3 P. 11
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 01:00 pm LOB 305
  3. Mar 13, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/13/2025 12:10 pm LOB 305
  4. Mar 13, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0917h (NT) 03/13/2025 (Vote 16-1; CC) HC 17 P. 20
  5. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0917h (NT): AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 36
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0917h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 36
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 10
  8. May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 20
  9. May 22, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2152s, 05/22/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 22
  10. May 22, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2152s, AA, VV; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  11. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2152s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  12. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2152s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA DV 179-170 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 14
  13. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  15. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 188; eff. 09/13/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.