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HB 459 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Zoning acreage rules near sewers

AI-generated

relative to acreage requirements and zoning regarding sewer infrastructure and single-family residential uses.

Prohibits zoning ordinances from imposing acreage requirements for single-family residential uses that exceed what is necessary for community health and safety given available sewer infrastructure.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits zoning ordinances regarding single-family residential uses from requiring larger acreage sizes than are necessary for community health and safety, given sewer infrastructure.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to override or supersede applicable municipal zoning regulations unrelated to minimum lot sizes.”
RSA 674:16-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe AlexanderRPrimeChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Jessica GrillD, Rep. Patrick LongD, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Sep 23, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Refer for Interim Study16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing3:17:43–3:24:086m 25slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Sep 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing5:13–5:3522slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — 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 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 305
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  4. Sep 23, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 09/23/2025 10:00 am GP 231
  5. Sep 23, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/23/2025 10:00 am GP 231
  6. Sep 23, 2025House: Refer for Interim Study 09/23/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 12
  7. Jan 7, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 73

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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