SB 435 · 2026 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Zoning variance criteria clarified

relative to the zoning board of adjustment variance criteria.

Clarifies the zoning board of adjustment's authority to consider unreasonable restrictions when evaluating variance requests.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 14, 2026

This bill removes the hardship requirement from the authorization of zoning variances.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

4 signed in online

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

2026-01-139:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing
2026-04-0710:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearing
2026-05-0510:30 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearing

Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 1
Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 46
Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0499s, 02/19/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 6
Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0499s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0499s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 5 P. 124
Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 10:25 am GP 154
May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:30 am GP 154
May 5, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 05/05/2026 (Vote 20-0; CC) HC 19 P. 15
May 14, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 25

No reporting linked yet.

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