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SB 283 · 2025 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Floor-area-ratio calculation excludes basements

AI-generated

relative to the calculation of floor-area-ratios under local building ordinances.

Requires municipalities to exclude below-grade areas from floor-area-ratio calculations while allowing developers to use below-grade areas for certain purposes without affecting the calculation.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill requires municipalities to exclude below-grade areas from floor-area-ratio (FAR) calculations and review and adjust height limitations as needed to maximize capacity and height potential for new construction.

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. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing

Public testimony

18 signed in online · 9 wrote testimony

17% support83% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“SB283 Square footage is square footage no matter which level it resides in a structure. Excluding such areas from calculation impacts several key elements that local boards alone should decide. This can impact taxable amount for state taxes as well as other key factors.”
— Carol Schutte, Hampton Fallsopposes
“This bill along with other bills before the House are attempting to tackle the housing shortage. These proposals are sweeping and one-size-fits-all proposals.…”
— Katharaine Hewitt, Lymeopposes
“The solution to our hosing crisis is not to steamroll local wisdom in favor of "one size only" state mandates. We need to preserve what is special about NH towns, villages, and cities and ensure that we can pass those values along to our children.”
— David Hewitt, 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
  • 2025-05-0610:00 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, 11:00 am; SC 11
  3. Mar 20, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 11 P. 113
  6. Apr 8, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2025 01:30 pm LOB 305
  7. May 6, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
  8. May 6, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1596h 05/06/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
  9. May 22, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1596h: AA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 7
  10. May 22, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1596h: MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 7
  11. Jun 12, 2025SenSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16
  12. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2910e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  13. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2910e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  15. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  16. Aug 1, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0301; Effective 09/30/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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