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SB 281 · 2025 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Building permits near class VI roads

AI-generated

prohibiting municipalities from denying building or occupancy permits for property adjacent to class VI roads under certain circumstances.

Changes the requirements allowing construction of a building on a lot adjacent to a class VI roadway.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill changes the requirements that allow a building to be constructed on a lot adjacent to a class VI roadway.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing

Public testimony

64 signed in online · 33 wrote testimony

20% support80% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Having purchased land and had a house built within the last five years, I support this. Some communities places enormous and occasionally arbitrary restrictions on land owners attempting to build on Class VI roads.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“I support this bill. 84/163/281/282/170 Indeed, I support all these bills. Charles Marohn and StrongTowns capture the essence of individual property rights with a community perspective. His most recent book on the Housing Crisis is apropos, I will not quote here.…”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“This bill imposes new conditions on the Town's Zoning ordinance. It prohibits municipalities from denying building or occupancy permits for property adjacent to class VI roads under certain circumstances.…”
— ROBERT WEIMAR, HAMPSTEAD · HAMPSTEAD PLANNING BOARDopposes
“SB281 Requirements for buildings to be constructed or not near a Class VI roadway should be made at the local level by the planning and zoning boards. Each specific situation is unique and the details of which need to be carefully considered by local boards.”
— Carol Schutte, Hampton Fallsopposes
“Regarding SB281: Building on Class VI roads is strictly a matter for local expertise and governance based on the specific circumstances of each case, rather than a one-size fits all pronouncement from on high.…”
— John Stadler, Lymeopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-049:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-04-089:30 amHouse HousingLOB 301-303Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-1510:00 amHouse HousingLOB 302-304Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-05-0610:00 amHouse HousingLOB 305Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3
  2. Mar 4, 2025SenHearing: 03/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:45 am; SC 11
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0947s, 03/20/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0947s, AA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0947s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 11 P. 113
  7. Apr 8, 2025House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 04/08/2025 11:30 am LOB 305
  8. Apr 15, 2025House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 04/15/2025 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
  9. May 6, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
  10. May 6, 2025House: Ought to Pass 05/06/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
  11. May 22, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 6
  12. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 58
  13. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  14. Jul 15, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0256; Effective 07/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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