SB 527 - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-3112
12/10
SENATE BILL 527
AN ACT relative to student housing.
SPONSORS: Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21
COMMITTEE: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill includes student housing in municipal workforce housing regulations.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-3112
12/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to student housing.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Planning and Zoning; Purpose; Student Housing Accommodated. Amend RSA 672:1 by inserting after paragraph III-f the following new paragraph:
III-g. The state receives many economic and social benefits from its post-secondary educational institutions. Post-secondary students rely on a balanced and diverse supply of housing in settings conducive to each student’s needs. Establishment of student housing which is safe and affordable is in the best interests of each community and the state of New Hampshire and serves a vital public need. Opportunity for development of all types of student housing shall not be prohibited or unreasonably discouraged by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or by unreasonable interpretation of such powers.
2 New Paragraph; Local Zoning Powers; Student Housing Accommodated. Amend RSA 674:16 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. In its exercise of the powers granted under this subdivision, the local legislative body of a city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places shall make reasonable accommodation for the development of new or expanded student housing by right and without special exception or conditional use permit. In addition, student housing of scale suitable to a neighborhood shall be allowed as an accessory use to any primary residential use and shall not be subject to local site plan review regulations in any zone where a residential use is permitted.