TITLE I

THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 21

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

Section 21:34-a

21:34-a Farm, Agriculture, Farming. 

I. The word "farm' means any land, buildings, or structures on or in which agriculture and farming activities are carried out or conducted and shall include the residence or residences of owners, occupants, or employees located on such land. Structures shall include all farm outbuildings used in the care of livestock, and in the production and storage of fruit, vegetables, or nursery stock; in the production of maple syrup; greenhouses for the production of annual or perennial plants; and any other structures used in operations named in paragraph II of this section.

II. The words "agriculture' and "farming' mean all operations of a farm, including:

(a)(1) The cultivation, conservation, and tillage of the soil.

(2) The use of and spreading of commercial fertilizer, lime, wood ash, sawdust, compost, animal manure, septage, and, where permitted by municipal and state rules and regulations, other lawful soil amendments.

(3) The use of and application of agricultural chemicals.

(4) The raising and sale of livestock, which shall include, but not be limited to, dairy cows and the production of milk, beef animals, swine, sheep, goats, as well as domesticated strains of buffalo or bison, llamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches, yaks, elk (Cervus elephus canadensis), fallow deer (Dama dama), red deer (Cervus elephus), and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).

(5) The breeding, boarding, raising, training, riding instruction, and selling of equines.

(6) The commercial raising, harvesting, and sale of fresh water fish or other aquaculture products.

(7) The raising, breeding, or sale of poultry or game birds.

(8) The raising of bees.

(9) The raising, breeding, or sale of domesticated strains of fur-bearing animals.

(10) The production of greenhouse crops.

(11) The production, cultivation, growing, harvesting, and sale of any agricultural, floricultural, forestry, or horticultural crops including, but not limited to, berries, herbs, honey, maple syrup, fruit, vegetables, tree fruit, flowers, seeds, grasses, nursery stock, sod, trees and tree products, Christmas trees grown as part of a commercial Christmas tree operation, trees grown for short rotation tree fiber, or any other plant that can be legally grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence.

(b) Any practice on the farm incident to, or in conjunction with such farming operations, including, but not necessarily restricted to:

(1) Preparation for market, delivery to storage or to market, or to carriers for transportation to market of any products or materials from the farm.

(2) The transportation to the farm of supplies and materials.

(3) The transportation of farm workers.

(4) Forestry or lumbering operations.

(5) The marketing or selling at wholesale or retail, on-site and off-site, where permitted by local regulations, any products from the farm.

(6) Irrigation of growing crops from private water supplies or public water supplies where not prohibited by state or local rule or regulation.

III. A farm roadside stand shall remain an agricultural operation and not be considered commercial, provided that at least 35 percent of the product sales in dollar volume is attributable to products produced on the farm or farms of the stand owner.

IV. Practices on the farm shall include technologies recommended from time to time by the university of New Hampshire cooperative extension, the New Hampshire department of agriculture, markets, and food, and appropriate agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Source. 1961, 140:1. 1977, 95:1. 1979, 60:1. 1985, 6:1, eff. May 31, 1985. 1997, 250:1, eff. Aug. 18, 1997. 1999, 191:2, eff. Sept. 4, 1999.

 

TITLE III

TOWNS, CITIES, VILLAGE DISTRICTS, AND UNINCORPORATED PLACES

CHAPTER 47

POWERS OF CITY COUNCILS

Bylaws and Ordinances

Section 47:17

47:17 Bylaws and Ordinances.  The city councils shall have power to make all such salutary and needful bylaws as towns and the police officers of towns and engineers or firewards by law have power to make and to annex penalties, not exceeding $1,000, for the breach thereof; and may make, establish, publish, alter, modify, amend and repeal ordinances, rules, regulations, and bylaws for the following purposes:

I. IN GENERAL. To carry into effect all the powers by law vested in the city.

II. ORDER AND POLICE DUTY. To regulate the police of the city; to prevent any riot, noise, disturbance, or disorderly assemblages; to regulate the ringing of bells, blowing of horns or bugles, and crying goods and other things; and to prescribe the powers and duties of police officers and watchmen.

III. DISORDERLY HOUSES AND GAMING. To suppress and restrain disorderly houses and houses of ill-fame, gambling houses and places, billiard tables, nine or ten pin alleys or tables and ball alleys, and all playing of cards, dice or other games of chance; to restrain and prohibit all descriptions of gaming and fraudulent devices; and to authorize the destruction and demolition of all instruments and devices used for the purpose of gaming.

IV. SALE OF LIQUOR. To establish regulations for groceries, stores, restaurants, and places of public amusement; to authorize the entry of proper officers into all such places to inspect the same, and the seizure and forfeiture of all liquors and the instruments used or designed to be used in the manufacture or sale of the same, in violation of law.

V. SHOWS. To regulate or prohibit the exhibitions of natural or artificial curiosities, caravans, circuses, theatrical performances, or other shows.

VI. PORTERS, VEHICLES, ETC. To license and regulate porters, cartmen and cartage, runners for boats, stages, cars, and public houses, hackney coaches, cabs, and carriages, and their drivers; the care and conduct of all animals, carriages, and teams, standing or moving in the streets; to prevent horse-racing and immoderate riding or driving in streets and on bridges; and to prevent cruelty to animals.

VII. USE OF PUBLIC WAYS. To regulate all streets and public ways, wharves, docks, and squares, and the use thereof, and the placing or leaving therein any carriages, sleds, boxes, lumber, wood, or any articles or materials, and the deposit of any waste or other thing whatever; the removal of any manure or other material therefrom; the erection of posts, signs, steps, public telephones, telephone booths, and other appurtenances thereto, or awnings; the digging up the ground by traffic thereon or in any other manner, or any other act by which the public travel may be incommoded or the city subjected to expense thereby; the securing by railings or otherwise any well, cellar, or other dangerous place in or near the line of any street; to prohibit the rolling of hoops, playing at ball or flying of kites, or any other amusement or practice having a tendency to annoy persons passing in the streets and sidewalks, or to frighten teams of horses within the same; and to compel persons to keep the snow, ice, and dirt from the sidewalks in front of the premises owned or occupied by them.

VIII. TRAFFIC DEVICES AND SIGNALS.

(a) To make special regulations as to the use of vehicles upon particular highways, except as to speed, and to exclude such vehicles altogether from certain ways; to regulate the use of class IV highways within the compact limits and class V highways by establishing stop intersections, by erecting stop signs, yield right of way signs, traffic signals and all other traffic control devices on those highways over which the city council has jurisdiction. The erection, removal and maintenance of all such devices shall conform to applicable state statutes and the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(b) The commissioner of transportation shall only approve the installation and modification of traffic signals as to type, size, installation, and method of operation.

IX. COMBUSTIBLES. To regulate the keeping, conveying and places of deposit of gunpowder and other combustible and dangerous materials; the use of candles, lights, and matches in barns, stables, and other buildings containing combustible and dangerous materials; to regulate the erection or use of buildings within the most compact part of the city, for any purpose which in the opinion of the city councils shall more immediately expose said city to destruction by fire, and to define the limits of such compact part.

X. STOCK AT LARGE. To regulate, restrain, or prohibit the keeping or running at large of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, geese, goats and other poultry and animals, or any of them, to create the limits of districts within which the same may be kept and the conditions and restrictions under which they may be kept.

XI. DOGS. To regulate the keeping of dogs and their running at large, require them to be licensed, and authorize the destruction of those kept or running at large contrary to the ordinance.

XII. MARKETS, SALES. To establish markets and market-places; regulate the place and manner of selling and weighing hay, selling pickled and other fish, and salted and fresh provisions; selling and measuring wood, lime, coal, and other heavy articles; and to appoint suitable persons to superintend and conduct the same; to prevent and punish forestalling and regrating; and to restrain every kind of fraudulent device and practice.

XIII. VAGRANTS, OBSCENE CONDUCT. To restrain and punish vagrants, mendicants, street beggars, strolling musicians, and common prostitutes, and all kinds of immoral and obscene conduct, and to regulate the times and places of bathing and swimming in the canals, rivers and other waters of the city, and the clothing to be worn by bathers and swimmers.

XIV. NUISANCES. To abate and remove nuisances; to regulate the location and construction of slaughterhouses, tallow chandlers' shops, soap factories, tanneries, stables, barns, privies, sewers, and other unwholesome or nauseous buildings or places, and the abatement, removal or purification of the same by the owner or occupant; to prohibit any person from bringing, depositing, or having within the city any dead carcass or other unwholesome substance; to provide for the removal or destruction, by any person who shall have the same upon or near such person's premises, of any such substance, or any putrid or unsound beef, pork, fish, hides, or skins, and, on such person's default, to authorize the removal or destruction thereof by some officer of the city; to authorize and provide for the collection, removal, and destruction of garbage and other waste material, to make necessary regulations relative thereto, and to provide for payment therefor by assessment, or appropriation, or both.

XIV-a. INTERFERING WITH VOTERS. To regulate the distribution of campaign materials or electioneering or any activity which affects the safety, welfare and rights of voters at any election held for any purpose in such city. Such power shall not extend to the display of printed or written matter attached to any legally parked motor vehicle, nor shall such power extend to activities conducted wholly on private property so as not to interfere with people approaching or entering a polling place.

XV. MISCELLANEOUS. Relative to the grade of streets, and the grade and width of sidewalks; to the laying out and regulating public squares and walks, commons, and other public grounds, public lights, and lamps; to trees planted for shade, ornament, convenience, or use, and the fruit of the same; to trespasses committed on public buildings and other public property, and in private yards and gardens; in relation to cemeteries, public burial grounds, the burial of the dead, and the returning and keeping records thereof, and bills of mortality, and the duties of physicians, sextons and others in relation thereto; relative to public wells, cisterns, pumps, conduits, and reservoirs; the places of military parade and rendezvous, and the marching of military companies with music in the streets of the city; relative to precautions against fire; relative to oaths and bonds of city officers, and penalties upon those elected to such offices refusing to serve; and relative to licensing and regulating butchers, petty grocers, or hucksters, peddlers, hawkers, and common victualers; dealers in and keepers of shops for the purchase, sale or barter of junk, old metals or second-hand articles, and pawnbrokers; under such limitations and restrictions as to them shall appear necessary. They may make any other bylaws and regulations which may seem for the well-being of the city; but no bylaw or ordinance shall be repugnant to the constitution or laws of the state; and such bylaws and ordinances shall take effect and be in force from the time therein limited, without the sanction or confirmation of any other authority whatever.

XVI. WARNINGS AND CITATIONS. To establish a procedure for the issuance of warnings and citations for the violation of health, fire, planning board, building, licensing, zoning, and housing codes and ordinances.

XVII. DRUG-FREE ZONES. Establish as a drug-free zone any area inclusive of public housing authority property and within 1,000 feet of such public housing authority property. If such drug-free zones are established, the municipality shall publish a map clearly indicating the boundaries of such drug-free zone, which shall be posted in a prominent place in the district or municipal court of jurisdiction, the local police department, and on the public housing authority property. The municipality shall also develop signs or markings for the drug-free zone which shall:

(a) Be posted in one or more prominent places in or near the public housing authority property; and

(b) Indicate that the posted area is a drug-free zone which extends to 1,000 feet surrounding such property; and

(c) Warn that a person who violates RSA 318-B, the controlled drug act, within the drug-free zone, shall be subject to severe criminal penalties under RSA 318-B and a penalty of up to $1,000 under this paragraph.

XVIII. AUTOMOBILE PARKING CONTROLS. The city councils shall have the authority to adopt such bylaws and ordinances as are necessary to control the parking, standing and stopping of automobiles within the city limits, including ordinances allowing for the towing or immobilization of automobiles for nonpayment of parking fines and creating parking fines recoverable by means of civil process.

Source. 1846, 384:17. GS 44:11. GL 48:10. PS 50:10. 1905, 10:1. 1907, 35:1. 1915, 55:1; 98:1. 1923, 15:1. PL 54:12. 1935, 117:2. 1941, 35:1. RL 66:13. RSA 47:17. 1961, 26:1. 1971, 512:9. 1981, 298:2. 1983, 166:2. 1986, 102:1. 1991, 74:1; 364:7. 1993, 183:1, eff. Aug. 8, 1993. 1996, 268:1, 5, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

 

TITLE X

PUBLIC HEALTH

CHAPTER 143-A

FOOD SERVICE LICENSURE

 

Section 143-A:3

143-A:3 Definitions. –

I. "Commissioner' means the commissioner of the department of health and human services.

II. "Department' means the department of health and human services.

III. "Food' means any raw, cooked, or processed edible substance, ice, beverage, or ingredient used or intended for use or for sale in whole or in part for human consumption.

IV. "Food service establishment' means any fixed or mobile, attended or unattended restaurant; coffee shop; cafeteria; short order cafe; luncheonette; grill; tearoom; sandwich shop; soda fountain; tavern; bar; cocktail lounge; nightclub; roadside stand; industrial feeding establishment; food vending operation; private or public organization or institution, whether profit or nonprofit, which routinely serves food; catering kitchen; commissary, or similar place in which food or drink is prepared for sale or for service on the premises or elsewhere; and any other eating and drinking establishment or operation in which potentially hazardous food is served or provided for the public with or without charge.

V. "Occasional food service establishment' means any food service establishment operated by a private or public organization or institution, whether profit or nonprofit, which prepares food or drink for sale or for service, and any other eating or drinking establishment or operation where food is served or provided for the public with or without charge, no more than 4 days during a 30-day period.

V. ""Occasional food service establishment'' means any food service establishment where food is served or provided for the public on the premises of the establishment, whether or not there is a charge for such food, no more than 4 days during a 30-day period. Any part of a day shall be considered one full day for the purposes of this definition.
V-a. ""Occasional food service events'' means events which are not regularly scheduled where food is provided to participants such as extracurricular school events, non-profit sporting events, and periodic events sponsored by religious or nonprofit organizations.

VI. "Person' means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.

VII. "Retail food store' means any establishment or section of an establishment where food or food products intended for off-premise consumption are offered to the public. The term includes delicatessens which offer prepared food in bulk quantities only. It does not include establishments which handle only prepackaged, not potentially hazardous foods; roadside markets or farm stands which sell only fresh fruits and vegetables; food service establishments; or food and beverage vending machines.

VIII. "Temporary food service establishment' means any food service establishment which operates at a fixed location for a temporary period of time not exceeding 2 weeks, in connection with a fair, carnival, circus, public exhibition, or similar transitory gathering.

 

Source. 1986, 106:1. 1995, 310:100, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. 1997, 256:1, eff. Aug. 18, 1997.

 

 

TITLE X

PUBLIC HEALTH

CHAPTER 143-A

FOOD SERVICE LICENSURE

Section 143-A:5

143-A:5 Exemptions. – The following establishments shall be exempt from licensure under this chapter:

I. Food service establishments and retail food stores licensed by city health officers under RSA 47:17.

II. Food service establishments and retail food stores licensed by town health officers under RSA 147:1.

III. Temporary food service establishments and occasional food service establishments which are not under the jurisdiction of city or town health officers under RSA 147:1 and RSA 47:17.

IV. Recreation camps inspected and licensed under RSA 149.

V. Health care facilities inspected and licensed under RSA 151.

VI. Child care facilities inspected and licensed under RSA 170-E.

 

Source. 1986, 106:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1987.

 

 

TITLE XIII

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

CHAPTER 175

DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 175:1

175:1 Definitions. – In this title:

 

 

XXXI-a. "Farmers' market' means an event or series of events at which 2 or more vendors of agricultural commodities gather for purposes of offering for sale such commodities to the public. Commodities offered for sale must include, but are not limited to, products of agriculture, as defined in RSA 21:34-a. "Farmers' market' shall not include any event held upon any premises owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by any individual vendor selling therein.

 

 

 

TITLE XXX

OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS

CHAPTER 320

HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS

General Provisions

Section 320:1

 

320:1 Definition.  The terms "hawker' and "peddler' shall mean and include any person, as defined by RSA 358-A:1, either principal or agent, who:

I. Travels from town to town or from place to place in the same town selling or bartering, or carrying for sale or barter or exposing therefor, any goods, wares, or merchandise, either on foot or from any animal, cart, or vehicle; or

II. Travels from town to town, or place to place in the same town, offering to perform personal services for household repairs or improvements, or solicits or induces any person to sign any contracts relating to household repairs and improvements, including contracts for the replacement or installation of siding on any residence or building; or

III. Keeps a regular place of business, open during regular business hours at the same location, but who offers for sale or sells and delivers, personally or through his agents, at a place other than his regular place of business, goods, wares, or merchandise.

Source. 1931, 102:1. RL 188:1. RSA 320:1. 1969, 481:1. 1973, 558:1. 1988, 27:1, eff. July 1, 1988.

 

Section 320:2

 

320:2 Prohibition; Selling on State Property; Contracts Void; Penalty.  No hawker or peddler shall sell or barter or carry for sale or barter, or expose therefor, any goods, wares or merchandise, unless he holds a license to do so as herein provided. No person may operate as a hawker or a peddler in any building or on any land owned, leased, or controlled by the state, except as provided in RSA 186-B:13. Any person violating this section shall, notwithstanding the provisions of title LXII, be guilty of a violation and fined not more than $500. The clerk of the district or municipal court shall dispose of fines so collected by the court as provided in RSA 502:14 or RSA 502-A:8. Any contract relating to household repairs and improvements or for siding for any building or residence solicited by any person who has not obtained the licenses as herein provided shall be void and unenforceable, and any sale or barter of any goods, wares or merchandise by any such person shall be voidable. Provided further that any time before midnight, at the expiration of 3 business days following the signing of any solicited home repair, home improvement installment contract or cash sale of $25 or more by the parties solicited or the owner, the parties solicited or the owner may serve a notice of cancellation upon the licensee or principal vendor.

Source. 1931, 102:1. RL 188:2. RSA 320:2. 1969, 481:2. 1973, 558:2. 1983, 383:67. 1991, 254:4, eff. Aug. 9, 1991.

 

Section 320:3

 

320:3 Exceptions.  The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:

I. Itinerant vendors as defined in RSA 321:1.

II. Any person selling the product of his own labor or the labor of his family or the product of his own farm or the one he tills.

III. Any person conducting sales of personal household goods on his own property.

IV. Any nonprofit organization, community chest, fund or foundation organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes when no part of the entity's earnings benefit any private shareholder or individual.

V. Any person conducting business in any industry or association trade show.

VI. Any person who sells exclusively antiques, used goods, or vintage items.

Source. 1931, 102:1. 1941, 210:1. RL 188:3. 1951, 186:1. RSA 320:3. 1988, 27:8. 1991, 254:5, eff. Aug. 9, 1991.

 

Title XL: Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry

Chapter 425: The Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food
Chapter 426: Standards for Farm Products
Chapter 427: Livestock and Meat Inspection
Chapter 428: Poultry and Poultry Products
Chapter 429: Beekeeping and Maple and Honey Products
Chapter 430: Insect Pests and Plant Diseases
Chapter 431: Soil Conditioners
Chapter 432: Soil Conservation and Farmland Preservation
Chapter 433: Seeds, Plants and Nursery Stock
Chapter 433-A: Horticultural Growing Media
Chapter 433-B: Ginseng Production and Sale
Chapter 434: Marketing and Grading of Certain Commodities
Chapter 435: Animal Care, Breeding and Feed
Chapter 436: Diseases of Domestic Animals
Chapter 436-A: Wildlife Disease Control
Chapter 437: Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals
Chapter 437-A: Animal Population Control
Chapter 438: Standards for Weights And Measures

 

 

RSA 426:5 : Local Means NH for Granite State Farm Products

 

It’s high summer and Granite Staters are enjoying a bountiful harvest of local fruits and vegetables from their gardens and nearby farms. But just what is “local” produce? In New Hampshire, state law defines the terms “Native,” “Local,” and “Locally Grown” when used in reference to the sale of farm products. These terms can only be used to advertise farm products that were grown or produced within the state of New Hampshire. New Hampshire law also governs the use of the term “Our Own” in relation to the sale of farm products. Farm products identified as “our own” must have been grown or produced by the farm where the product is offered for sale. In the past, some vendors deceptively used the term “our own” on farm product signage for products grown elsewhere with the justification that since the retail vendor has purchased the products wholesale, and now “owns” them, the products thus became their own! In addition to defining the above terms, RSA 426:5 makes it illegal to otherwise advertise farm products in a manner that is deceptive as to place of origin. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food is charged with investigating and enforcing these labeling requirements. The point of legally defining these terms is to assure consumers of truthful advertising of farm products’ origin. Many consumers actively seek out local farm products, both for the quality and freshness they provide and as a way of supporting our state’s farmers. The best way to guarantee that New Hampshire farms and open space will continue to exist in the future is for consumers to support them with their purchases. Buy native produce. Buy local. Buy New Hampshire. For more information contact Richard Uncles, Bureau of Markets at 271-3685.

 

TITLE XL
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

CHAPTER 432
SOIL CONSERVATION AND FARMLAND PRESERVATION

Nuisance Liability of Agricultural Operations

Section 432:33

432:33 Immunity from Suit. – No agricultural operation shall be found a public or private nuisance as a result of changed conditions in or around the locality of the agricultural operation, if such agricultural operation has been in operation for one year or more and if it was not a nuisance at the time it began operation. This section shall not apply when any aspect of the agricultural operation is determined to be injurious to public health or safety under RSA 147:1 or RSA 147:2.

Source. 1985, 72:1, eff. July 1, 1985.

 

 

 

TITLE LII

ACTIONS, PROCESS, AND SERVICE OF PROCESS

CHAPTER 508

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS

Section 508:14

508:14 Landowner Liability Limited. 

 

I. An owner, occupant, or lessee of land, including the state or any political subdivision, who without charge permits any person to use land for recreational purposes or as a spectator of recreational activity, shall not be liable for personal injury or property damage in the absence of intentionally caused injury or damage.

 

II. An owner of land who permits another person to gather the produce of the land under pick-your-own or cut-your-own arrangements, provided said person is not an employee of the landowner and notwithstanding that the person picking or cutting the produce may make remuneration for the produce to the landowner, shall not be liable for personal injury or property damage to any person in the absence of willful, wanton, or reckless conduct by such owner.

 

Source. 1975, 231:1. 1979, 439:1. 1981, 293:2. 1985, 193:2, eff. July 30, 1985.

 

TITLE LXIV
PLANNING AND ZONING

CHAPTER 672
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Purpose

Section 672:1

672:1 Declaration of Purpose. – The general court hereby finds and declares that:
    I. Planning, zoning and related regulations have been and should continue to be the responsibility of municipal government;
    II. Zoning, subdivision regulations and related regulations are a legislative tool that enables municipal government to meet more effectively the demands of evolving and growing communities;
    III. Proper regulations enhance the public health, safety and general welfare and encourage the appropriate and wise use of land;
    III-a. Proper regulations encourage energy efficient patterns of development, the use of solar energy, including adequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy uses, and the use of other renewable forms of energy, and energy conservation. Therefore, zoning ordinances should not unreasonably limit the installation of solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of renewable energy, except where necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare;
    III-b. Agriculture makes vital and significant contributions to the food supply, the economy, the environment and the aesthetic features of the state of New Hampshire, and the tradition of using the land resource for agricultural production is an essential factor in providing for the favorable quality of life in the state. Natural features, terrain and the pattern of geography of the state frequently place agricultural land in close proximity to other forms of development and commonly in small parcels. Agricultural activities are a beneficial and worthwhile feature of the New Hampshire landscape and shall not be unreasonably limited by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or by the unreasonable interpretation of such powers;
    III-c. Forestry, when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, constitutes a beneficial and desirable use of
New Hampshire's forest resource. Forestry contributes greatly to the economy of the state through a vital forest products industry; and to the health of the state's forest and wildlife resources through sustained forest productivity, and through improvement of wildlife habitats. New Hampshire's forests are an essential component of the landscape and add immeasurably to the quality of life for the state's citizens. Because New Hampshire is a heavily forested state, forestry activities, including the harvest and transport of forest products, are often carried out in close proximity to populated areas. Further, the harvesting of timber often represents the only income that can be derived from property without resorting to development of the property for more intensive uses, and, pursuant to RSA 79-A:1, the state of New Hampshire has declared that it is in the public interest to encourage preservation of open space by conserving forest and other natural resources. Therefore, forestry activities, including the harvest and transport of forest products, shall not be unreasonably limited by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or by the unreasonable interpretation of such powers;
    III-d. For purposes of paragraphs III-b, III-c, and III-e, "unreasonable interpretation' includes the failure of local land use authorities to recognize that agriculture, forestry, and commercial and recreational fisheries, when practiced in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, are traditional, fundamental and accessory uses of land throughout New Hampshire, and that a prohibition upon these uses cannot necessarily be inferred from the failure of an ordinance or regulation to address them;
    III-e. All citizens of the state benefit from a balanced supply of housing which is affordable to persons and families of low and moderate income. Establishment of housing which is decent, safe, sanitary and affordable to low and moderate income persons and families is in the best interests of each community and the state of
New Hampshire, and serves a vital public need. Opportunity for development of such housing, including so-called cluster development and the development of multi-family structures, should not be prohibited or discouraged by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or by unreasonable interpretation of such powers;
    III-f.
New Hampshire commercial and recreational fisheries make vital and significant contributions to the food supply, the economy, the environment, and the aesthetic features of the state of New Hampshire, and the tradition of using marine resources for fisheries production is an essential factor in providing for economic stability and a favorable quality of life in the state. Many traditional commercial and recreational fisheries in New Hampshire's rivers and estuarine systems are located in close proximity to coastal development. Such fisheries are a beneficial and worthwhile feature of the New Hampshire landscape and tradition and should not be discouraged or eliminated by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or the unreasonable interpretation of such powers.
    IV. The citizens of a municipality should be actively involved in directing the growth of their community;
    V. The state should provide a workable framework for the fair and reasonable treatment of individuals;
    V-a. The care of up to 6 full-time preschool children and 3 part-time school age children in the home of a child care provider makes a vital and significant contribution to the state's economy and the well-being of
New Hampshire families. The care provided through home-based day care closely parallels the activities of any home with young children. Family based care, traditionally relied upon by New Hampshire families, should not be discouraged or eliminated by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or the unreasonable interpretation of such powers; and
    VI. It is the policy of this state that competition and enterprise may be so displaced or limited by municipalities in the exercise of the powers and authority provided in this title as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.

Source. 1983, 447:1. 1985, 68:1; 335:3; 369:1. 1989, 42:1; 170:1. 1990, 174:1; 180:1, 2. 1991, 198:1, 2, eff. July 27, 1991. 2002, 73:1, eff. June 30, 2002.

 

TITLE LXIV
PLANNING AND ZONING

CHAPTER 674
LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATORY POWERS

Zoning

Section 674:17

674:17 Purposes of Zoning Ordinances. –
    I. Every zoning ordinance shall be adopted in accordance with the requirements of RSA 674:18. Zoning ordinances shall be designed:
       (a) To lessen congestion in the streets;
       (b) To secure safety from fires, panic and other dangers;
       (c) To promote health and the general welfare;
       (d) To provide adequate light and air;
       (e) To prevent the overcrowding of land;
       (f) To avoid undue concentration of population;
       (g) To facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, solid waste facilities, water, sewerage, schools, parks, child day care;
       (h) To assure proper use of natural resources and other public requirements;
       (i) To encourage the preservation of agricultural lands and buildings; and
       (j) To encourage the installation and use of solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems and protect access to energy sources by the regulation of orientation of streets, lots, and buildings; establishment of maximum building height, minimum set back requirements, and limitations on type, height, and placement of vegetation; and encouragement of the use of solar skyspace easements under RSA 477. Zoning ordinances may establish buffer zones or additional districts which overlap existing districts and may further regulate the planting and trimming of vegetation on public and private property to protect access to renewable energy systems.
    II. Every zoning ordinance shall be made with reasonable consideration to, among other things, the character of the area involved and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, as well as with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the municipality.
    III. Except as provided in RSA 424:5 or RSA 422-B or in any other provision of Title XXXIX, no city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places shall adopt a zoning ordinance or regulation with respect to antennas used exclusively in the amateur radio service that fails to conform to the limited federal preemption entitled Amateur Radio Preemption, 101 FCC 2nd 952 (1985) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

Source. 1983, 447:1. 1989, 42:2. 1995, 176:2, eff. Aug. 4, 1995. 2000, 279:2, eff. July 1, 2001. 2002, 73:2, eff. June 30, 2002.

 

TITLE LXIV
PLANNING AND ZONING

CHAPTER 674
LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATORY POWERS

Agricultural Uses of Land

Section 674:32-b

674:32-b Existing Agricultural Uses. – Any agricultural use which exists pursuant to RSA 674:32-a may without restriction be expanded, altered to meet changing technology or markets, or changed to another agricultural use, as set forth in RSA 21:34-a, so long as any such expansion, alteration, or change complies with all federal and state laws, regulations, and rules, including best management practices adopted by the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food; subject, however, to the following limitations:
       (a) Any new establishment, re-establishment after disuse, or significant expansion of an operation involving the keeping of livestock, poultry, or other animals may be made subject to special exception, building permit, or other local land use board approval.
       (b) Any new establishment, re-establishment after disuse, or significant expansion of a farm stand, retail operation, or other use involving on-site transactions with the public, may be made subject to applicable special exception, building permit, or other local land use board approval and may be regulated to prevent traffic and parking from adversely impacting adjacent property, streets and sidewalks, or public safety.

Source. 2000, 279:3, eff. July 1, 2001.

 

 

TITLE LXIV
PLANNING AND ZONING

CHAPTER 674
LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATORY POWERS

Agricultural Uses of Land

Section 674:32-c

674:32-c Other General Provisions. –
    I. The tilling of soil and the growing and harvesting of crops and horticultural commodities, as a primary or accessory use, shall not be prohibited in any district.
    II. Nothing in this subdivision shall exempt new, re-established, or expanded agricultural operations from generally applicable building and site requirements such as dimensional standards, setbacks, driveway and traffic regulations, parking requirements, noise, odor, or vibration restrictions or sign regulations; provided, however, that in circumstances where their literal application would effectively prohibit an agricultural use allowed by this subdivision, or would otherwise be unreasonable in the context of an agricultural use, the board of adjustment, building code board of appeals, or other applicable local board, after due notice and hearing, shall grant a waiver from such requirement to the extent necessary to reasonably permit the agricultural use, unless such waiver would have a demonstrated adverse effect on public health or safety, or the value of adjacent property. Such waiver shall continue only as long as utilized for the permitted agricultural use.
    III. Nothing in this subdivision shall apply to any aspect of an agricultural operation determined to be injurious to public health or safety under RSA 147. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to modify or limit the duties and authority of the department of environmental services under RSA 485 or RSA 485-A or the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food under title XL.
    IV. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to affect the regulation of sludge or septage.

Source. 2000, 279:3, eff. July 1, 2001.

 

CHAPTER He-P 2300 SANITARY PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/he-p2300.html