relative to accessory dwelling unit uses allowed by right.
This bill requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow homeowners to build one accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage conversion or an addition, on their single-family property without needing special approval. It defines these units as separate living spaces with their own kitchen and bathroom and sets minimum size limits of 1,000 square feet for at least one unit. While towns can still require owner occupancy and enforce parking or aesthetic rules, they cannot mandate familial relationships between residents or restrict units to a single bedroom. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that municipalities must permit the conversion of existing structures like detached garages into these units even if they do not currently meet setback or lot coverage standards.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2023
Committee Review
May 2024
House Passage
Mar 2024
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 6, 2023
Last action May 22, 2024
Floor votes · House Mar 28, 2024
How they voted
216–140
Passed · 33 other
Total votes 389
Mar 28, 2024
D
Democratic193
77% Yea
I
Independent2
50% Nay
R
Republican194
55% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 22, 2024
Introduced
Sen. Soucy Floor Amendment # 2024-2091s, RC 8Y-16N, AF; 05/22/2024; SJ 14
upper
May 22, 2024
Upper · Passed
Sen. Soucy Moved Ought to Pass; 05/22/2024; SJ 14
upper
May 14, 2024
Committee
Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/22/2024, Vote 3-1; SC 20
upper
Apr 2, 2024
Introduced
Introduced 03/21/2024 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 8
upper
Mar 28, 2024
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (216-140-33)
house
Mar 28, 2024
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1203h: MA RC 220-143 03/28/2024 HJ 10 P. 204
lower
Mar 28, 2024
Introduced
Amendment # 2024-1203h: AA VV 03/28/2024 HJ 10 P. 201
lower
Mar 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Mar 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-1203h 03/15/2024 (Vote 8-2; RC) HC 12 P. 37
lower
Feb 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
Full Committee Work Session: 03/08/2024 11:00 am LOB 302-304
lower
Dec 6, 2023
Introduced
Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Special Committee on Housing HJ 1 P. 14
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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