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HB 1079 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Accessory units in nonconforming buildings

AI-generated

allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain non-conforming structures.

Expands the definition of accessory dwelling units to allow them to be built within or attached to certain nonconforming structures.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill expands the definition of accessory dwelling units to allow them to be built within nonconforming structures.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Allan HowlandDPrime
  • Rep. David PaigeDRanking Member· Housing

Also: Rep. David PreeceD

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

67% support25% oppose8% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) believes this bill could have a positive impact on the NH disability community.”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiessupports
“I write in strong support of HB 1079 and urge the committee to recommend the bill as Ought to Pass. HB 1079 provides needed statutory clarity and a practical framework that supports housing production while respecting municipal planning authority.…”
— David Preece, Manchestersupports
“I oppose this Bill HB 1079, as the State already has a process to "legitimize" non-conformance due to dimensional violations of structures: RSA 674:33-a Equitable Waiver of Dimensional Requirements.”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownopposes
“I am not sure what this bill is designed to accomplish, but I reject the whole concept. I have a storage shed within a couple feet of the corner of my property which I rarely use and produces no noise or smell which could be objectionable to neighbors.…”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-229:30 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-02-172:30 pmHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0310:00 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-03-039:45 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-04-219:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 5
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 02:00 pm GP 231
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/17/2026 02:30 pm GP 231
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2026 09:45 am GP 231
  5. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  6. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0823h 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 23
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0823h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 47
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0823h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 47
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  10. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 15
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1710s, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1710s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1710s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  14. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1710s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA DV 269-73 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 12
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 210; eff. 8/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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