Alstead, New Hampshire

Alstead, NH Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 4/10

Last Updated: 11.7.2024

Image Source: Wikipedia

What You Need To Know

ADUs are allowed in Alstead, and they are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Type of ADU Permit Required

To build an ADU in Alstead, you must go through their special exception process.

ADU Rules

  • ADUs can be up to 750 square feet

  • ADUs can be detached.   

  • Going through the special exception process is required

  • Setbacks for ADUs

    1. 30 ft from side or back

    2. 75 feet from the center of the road 

  • ADUs must be placed the required distance from utilities on site (well and septic)

    1. Septic approval is required through the state not town 

Resources:

Town of Alstead, NH 603-835-2242

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Salem, New Hampshire

Salem, NH Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 4/10

Last Updated: 8.28.2024

Image Source:Wicked Northshore

What You Need To Know

One accessory apartment up to 2 bedrooms and 950 square feet, is allowed per single-family home. An interior door must connect the main dwelling and the accessory apartment .and the exterior must maintain a single-family residence appearance. The property owner must live in one of the units and the ADU may not be converted to a condominium.

Type of ADU Permit Required

Review by Planning and Engineering Departments before submitting for a building permit.
Two permits are required: one for structural alterations and one for the ADU. An impact fee of $5,617 is due when applying for a Certificate of Occupancy. A deed addendum is required.

ADU Rules

    1. Only one accessory apartment is allowed per single-family home.

    2. The property owner must live in one of the two units.

    3. The home’s exterior and entrances must maintain the appearance of a single-family residence.

    4. The accessory apartment can have a maximum of two bedrooms and up to 950 square feet of floor space.

    5. Water supply and sewage disposal must comply with RSA 485-A:38.

    6. Off-street parking for at least four vehicles is required, with garage and "piggy-back" parking encouraged.

    7. The property cannot be converted into a condominium or any other separate form of ownership. The accessory apartment must be recorded by deed addendum.

    8. An accessory apartment is not allowed if there is an in-law apartment or family day-care center on the property.

    9. Variances from these conditions are against the spirit and intent of this chapter.

    10. Detached accessory apartments are not allowed.

    11. There must be an interior door connecting the main dwelling and the accessory apartment.

Resources:

https://ecode360.com/2755334

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Plaistow, New Hampshire

Plaistow, NH Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 4/10

Last Updated: 8.28.2024

Image Source: Best Places

What You Need To Know

ADUs must maintain the appearance of a single-family home, with entrances located on the side or rear. ADUs cannot exceed 1,000 square feet and may have no more than two bedrooms. Either the primary home or the ADU must be owner-occupied, and only one ADU is allowed per parcel. Permits and compliance with safety and building codes are required, and ADUs may be rented, with inspections necessary for leases over one year.

Type of ADU Permit Required

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) require a conditional use permit from the Planning Board before construction or use. Applications for this permit follow the same procedures as site plan review. The Planning Board may grant a condition.

ADU Rules

  • Design and Appearance: The accessory dwelling unit (ADU) must be designed to maintain the appearance of a single-family dwelling. New entrances should be located on the side or rear of the building. If the ADU is attached to the primary dwelling, there must be a connecting door.

  • Dwelling Type: The single-family dwelling cannot be a mobile home. ADUs are allowed in condominium units with written approval from the condominium association. Only one ADU is permitted per parcel.

  • Size: The ADU cannot exceed 1,000 square feet.

  • Occupancy: Either the primary dwelling unit or the ADU must be owner-occupied.

  • Bedrooms: The ADU may have no more than two bedrooms.

  • Ownership Restrictions: The ADU and lot cannot be converted into a condominium or any other form of legal ownership distinct from the single-family dwelling.

  • Permits and Compliance: Before issuing a building permit for a new ADU or a certificate of occupancy for an existing one, the property owner must provide the Building Inspector with:

    • A State of New Hampshire-approved septic design, specifying the number of bedrooms in both the primary dwelling and the ADU.

    • A floor plan at a scale of 1/4 inch to the foot showing the proposed changes to the building.

    • A sketch plan of the lot, drawn to scale, showing existing and proposed structures and parking.

    1. Utilities: All utilities in the ADU must use the existing utility meters.

    2. Rental and Certificates of Occupancy: ADUs may be rented. The property owner must apply for a certificate of occupancy for any new tenant under a lease of more than one year. The unit must be inspected for compliance with building and life safety codes before the certificate is issued.

    3. Driveway: The driveway for the primary residence and its ADU must provide ingress/egress onto a Class V or better road via a single curb cut.

  • Transfer of Ownership: If a home with an ADU is sold, the new owner must apply for a certificate of occupancy for the ADU under the provisions outlined in this ordinance.

  • Location of ADUs: ADUs may be added to a single-family residence, an attached garage, or a detached garage. Garage units may be located on the same floor as the garage or built as a second story.

Resources:

https://www.plaistow.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1071/f/uploads/2022_zoningordinance_final_0.pdf Page 97

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Hudson, New Hampshire

Hudson, NH Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 4/10

Last Updated: 8.28.2024

Image Source: Town of Hudson

What You Need To Know

An ADU is only permitted in single-family homes and cannot be detached and must maintain the appearance of a single-family home, and new ADU entrances must be on the side or rear. . The property owner must live in either the main dwelling or the ADU. A minimum of four off-street parking spaces is required, with no separate driveway for the ADU. The ADU must be between 350 and 750 square feet, with a maximum of two bedrooms. Only one ADU is allowed per lot, housing no more than two unrelated occupants.

Type of ADU Permit Required

Special permit required.

ADU Rules

  • An ADU is only allowed in single-family dwellings and is not permitted in two-family or multifamily dwellings, or in any nonresidential structures.

  • An ADU cannot be a freestanding detached structure or part of any structure detached from the main dwelling. Manufactured housing, RVs, or trailers cannot be used as ADUs.

  • The owner must occupy either the main dwelling or the ADU. The owner must prove residency in one of the units if requested by the Zoning Administrator.

  • After modifications, the front of the main dwelling must still look like a single-family home. Any new entrances for the ADU must be on the side or rear of the structure.

  • There must be at least one shared interior access between the main dwelling and the ADU, with two external exits for each unit.

  • Separate utility connections or meters for the ADU and the main dwelling are not allowed, except as required by code for common areas.

  • A minimum of four off-street paved parking spaces must be provided for both the main dwelling and the ADU. There cannot be a separate driveway for the ADU.

  • The ADU must be between 350 and 750 square feet, and the main dwelling must remain at least 850 square feet after the ADU is added.

  • An ADU cannot have more than two bedrooms.

  • A building permit is required before constructing or converting space into an ADU.

  • The ADU must share the same house number as the main dwelling, and no separate mailbox is allowed.

  • Only one ADU is allowed per lot in any district.

  • No more than two unrelated persons can occupy an ADU.

  • The ADU must have an interconnected fire alarm system with the main dwelling.

  • The ADU must meet water supply and sewage disposal standards under RSA 485-A:38, but separate systems are not required. Verification must be filed with the Town before a building permit is issued.

Resources:

https://ecode360.com/14358794#32554612

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Hampstead, New Hampshire

Hampstead, NH Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 4/10

Last Updated: 8.28.2024

What You Need To Know

ADUs are only permitted in Residential Zone A and Recreational Zone B on lots meeting specific size requirements. The ADU must be part of or an addition to the main dwelling, be less than 50% of its size, and maintain a single-family appearance Detached ADUs are not allowed.

Type of ADU Permit Required

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) require a conditional use permit from the Planning Board before construction or use. Applications for this permit follow the same procedures as site plan review. The Planning Board may grant a conditional use permit if the following criteria are met:

ADU Rules

  • Location:
    ADUs are allowed only in Residential Zone A and Recreational Zone B.

  • Lot Size:
    The lot must meet the full lot size requirements for the zone, as defined by the Soil-Based Lot Size (II-1).

  • Septic System:
    The septic system must be sufficient to handle all bedrooms in both the primary dwelling unit (PDU) and ADU, in compliance with RSA 485-A:38. This must be verified by a licensed septic designer and approved by the Hampstead Building Department. Installation is required before the issuance of an occupancy permit.

  • Water Source:
    The lot must have an adequate water source to meet the combined needs of the PDU and ADU, either through an off-site public water supply or an on-site well that complies with NH state environmental requirements.

  • Structure and Use:

    • The ADU must be within or an addition to an existing or proposed single-family dwelling.

    • The ADU must be less than 50% of the square footage of the PDU and remain incidental and subordinate to it.

    • The structure must maintain the appearance of a single-family dwelling.

    • The PDU and ADU must be connected by an interior door.

    • Only one ADU is allowed per lot.

    • The ADU may have no more than two bedrooms.

    • Occupancy in the ADU is limited to two people per bedroom unless the septic system is designed for more occupants.

    • The lot owner must occupy either the PDU or ADU as their primary residence, providing evidence of such.

    • The lot must have sufficient off-street parking to meet the needs of both units.

    • The PDU, ADU, and lot must be owned by the same person.

  • IV-14.3 Detached Accessory Dwelling Units

    Detached Accessory Dwelling Units are not allowed. A detached unit includes any structure connected to another by a breezeway or similar feature.

    IV-14.4 Certification

    Owners applying to build an ADU in an existing or proposed single-family home must certify that they will occupy either the PDU or ADU as their primary residence. If a lot with an approved ADU is sold, the new owner must sign the same certification, which must be recorded at the owner’s expense in the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds. Failure to file this certification at the time of title transfer invalidates the previous approval.

    IV-14.5 Restrictions

    The PDU, ADU, or lot cannot be converted into a condominium or any other form of legal ownership distinct from the single-family dwelling.

Resources:

https://www.hampsteadnh.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif661/f/uploads/adu-_zoning_article_3_2017.pdf

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