Sign up for our email list
Home2024 State Legislative Activity on Housing-Related Bills
The 2024 state legislative session held high promise at the outset for progress on addressing New Hampshire’s housing shortage. While many important bills dealing with development funding and local regulatory reform were unsuccessful, there were still some bright spots.
2024 legislative housing policy successes:
HB 1400 – this is the “HOMEnibus” compromise legislation (replacing SB 538), expanding RSA 79-E to address commercial-to-residential conversions, enabling local governing bodies to amend zoning, and limiting parking requirements in local zoning.
HB 1059 – working in tandem with changes to the state building and fire codes, this prohibits municipalities from requiring sprinkler systems in conversions of existing structures to 3 or 4 units (sprinklers already cannot be required in any 1- or 2-family building).
HB 1202 – recognizing that permitting delays are expensive, this establishes timelines for driveway access permits granted by the Department of Transportation or local authorities.
HB 1359 – limits who has standing to appeal decisions of local land use boards.
HB 1361 – clarifies existing law on manufactured housing and adds a requirement that municipalities must allow for reasonable expansion of existing manufactured housing parks.
Status of bills NH Housing is tracking this session (as of 8.26.24).
State Legislative Study Commissions and Committees
- Council on Housing Stability Strategic Plan (2021-2024)
- Commission to Study Barriers to Increased Density of Land Development in New Hampshire.
(SB 43, 2019) Final Report, issued November 13, 2020.
Past Legislation of Interest
This legislative year presents a unique opportunity for the state to pioneer measures that could reshape homeownership and enhance housing affordability. Ben Frost, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Legal Officer of NH Housing, talks with host Matt Gallant about these potential game-changers now being debated during the 2024 legislative session. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of these bills and how they could impact the future of homeownership. LISTEN NOW.