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HB 1023 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

By-right accessory commercial units

AI-generated

establishing accessory commercial units by right.

Authorizes accessory commercial units by right on any lot with a lawful principal use statewide, defines the term, sets limits on floor area, hours, parking, and signage, and bars stricter municipal ordinances.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Authorizes the establishment of accessory commercial units by right on any lot with a lawful principal use, in any zoning district statewide. II. Defines "accessory commercial unit." III. Clarifies permitted uses, sets limits on floor area, hours, parking, and signage. IV. Prohibits municipalities from enacting more restrictive ordinances.

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

“An accessory commercial unit shall be permitted as of right on any lot containing a lawful principal use in every zoning district in the state.”
RSA 674:72-a
“No municipality shall adopt or enforce an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of an accessory commercial unit, except as provided in this section.”
RSA 674:72-a
“The following uses shall be permitted by right as accessory commercial units in all zoning districts statewide:”
RSA 674:72-a
“Floor area shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or 25 percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is greater.”
RSA 674:72-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe SweeneyRPrimeDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

80% support20% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If someone has the land and proper use they should be allowed to do what they see fit under the guidelines of zoning and regulations with lawful principle use”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchestersupports
“This is another giant step to destroy the choice that communities make for their "Pursuit of Happiness" in controlling the layout of their own communities.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:07:44–1:08:521m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs3:49:25–3:50:341m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 3
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 11:00 am GP 229
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 10 P. 5
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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