LOCAL LAND USE BOARDS

RSA tit. LXIV, ch. 673

in effect

RSA 673:1 Establishment of Local Land Use Boards.

673:1. Establishment of Local Land Use Boards. I. Any local legislative body may establish a planning board, the members of which shall be residents of the municipality. II. Any local legislative body may establish any or all of the following: a heritage commission, a historic district commission, an agricultural commission, and a housing commission. III. [Repealed.] IV. Every zoning ordinance adopted by a local legislative body shall include provisions for the establishment of a zoning board of adjustment. Members of the zoning board of adjustment shall be either elected or appointed, subject to the provisions of RSA 673:3. V. [Repealed.] Source. 1983, 447:1. 1992, 64:5. 2007, 266:2. 2008, 391:2. 2009, 286:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010. 2026, 318:64, I, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

RSA 673:2 Planning Board.

673:2. Planning Board. I. (a) In cities, the planning board shall consist of 9 members: (1) The mayor of the city, or with the approval of the local legislative body the mayor's designee, who shall be an ex officio member; (2) An administrative official of the city selected by the mayor, who shall be an ex officio member; (3) A member of the city council selected by the council, who shall be an ex officio member; and (4) Six persons appointed by the mayor, if the mayor is an elected official, or such other method of appointment or election as shall be provided for by the local legislative body or municipal charter. (b) Alternatively, the local legislative body in a city with a city council-city manager form of government may establish a planning board with membership as provided in paragraph I-a. I-a. In cities with a city council-city manager form of government, the planning board may consist of the following 9 members: (a) The city manager, or with the approval of the local legislative body the city manager's designee, who shall be an ex officio member; (b) A member of the city council selected by the council, who shall be an ex officio member; and (c) Seven persons appointed by the mayor, if the mayor is an elected official, or such other method of appointment or election as shall be provided for by the local legislative body or municipal charter. I-b. In towns which operate under the town council form of government, the planning board shall consist of 7 or 9 members, as determined by the local legislative body or by the municipal charter. If the planning board shall consist of 9 members, the members shall be the persons listed in paragraph I. If the planning board shall consist of 7 members, the members shall be as follows: (a) A member of the town council or administrative official of the town selected by the town council, who shall be an ex officio member; and (b) Six persons appointed by the mayor, if the mayor is an elected official, or such other method of appointment or election as shall be provided for by the local legislative body or municipal charter. II. In other towns, the planning board shall consist of 5 or 7 members as determined by the local legislative body. The membership shall be filled by one of the following procedures: (a) The selectmen shall designate one selectman or administrative official of the town as an ex officio member and appoint 4 or 6 other persons who are residents of the town, as appropriate; or (b) The local legislative body may decide, by majority vote at the town meeting, that planning board members shall be elected according to either the procedure in subparagraph (1) or in subparagraph (2). The official ballot shall be used on every referendum for the adoption of RSA 673:2, II(b)(1) or (2), and every subsequent rescission of such adoption pursuant to subparagraph (c). The wording on the official ballot of any referendum for the adoption of RSA 673:2, II(b)(1) or (2) shall specifically state which procedure for electing planning board members is being voted upon. Following the majority vote at town meeting, planning board members shall be elected as follows: (1) The selectmen shall choose one selectman or administrative official of the town as an ex officio member and the remaining planning board positions shall be filled at the next regular town election pursuant to RSA 669:17. Thereafter, a planning board member shall be elected for the term provided under RSA 673:5, II; or (2) The selectmen shall choose one selectman or administrative official of the town as an ex officio member and the remaining planning board positions shall be filled on a staggered basis at the subsequent regular town elections pursuant to RSA 669:17 as the term of an appointed member expires, until each member of the board is an elected member. The maximum number of elections to occur annually shall be as provided in RSA 673:5, II. When each planning board member is an elected member, such member shall be elected for the term provided in RSA 673:5, II. (c) A local legislative body which has voted to elect planning board members may, by majority vote at town meeting, decide to rescind that action and have the planning board appointed in the manner set forth in subparagraph (a). The vote to have planning board members so appointed shall take effect upon adoption by the town meeting, and the selectmen shall forthwith appoint members in accordance with RSA 673:5. The planning board shall, however, continue in existence, and the elected members in office at the time of the town meeting vote to appoint members may continue to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. III. In village districts, the planning board shall consist of either 5 or 7 members as determined by the village district meeting. The district commissioners shall: (a) Designate one district commissioner or administrative official of the district as an ex officio member; and (b) Appoint 4 or 6 other persons who are residents of the village district, as appropriate. IV. In counties in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places, the planning board shall consist of 5 or 9 members. The county commissioners shall recommend appointees to the planning board, and the appointees shall be approved by the county delegation. Planning board members shall be residents of the county, and shall be evenly distributed geographically throughout the county. The membership of the planning board shall be as follows: (a) The chairperson of the board of county commissioners or designee shall be an ex officio member. (b) A member of the county convention selected by the convention shall be an ex officio member. (c) An administrative official of the county selected by the chairperson of the board of county commissioners shall be an ex officio member. (d) Two or 6 persons appointed by the board of county commissioners and approved by the county convention. (e) One or 3 alternates appointed by the board of county commissioners and approved by the county convention. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1987, 255:1. 1989, 266:9. 1991, 377:4. 1992, 89:1, 2. 1993, 69:1. 1996, 42:1-4; 181:1. 2000, 107:1, eff. July 7, 2000.

RSA 673:3 Zoning Board of Adjustment.

673:3. Zoning Board of Adjustment. I. The zoning board of adjustment shall consist of 5 members. The members of the board shall either be elected in the manner prescribed by RSA 669, or appointed in a manner prescribed by the local legislative body. Each member of the board shall be a resident of the municipality in order to be appointed or elected. II. Zoning board of adjustment members who are elected shall be elected for the term provided under RSA 673:5, II. A local legislative body which has previously provided for the appointment of zoning board of adjustment members may rescind that action by majority vote and choose to elect board members. The terms of appointed members of zoning boards of adjustment in municipalities in office on the effective date of an affirmative decision to elect such board members shall not be affected by the decision. However, when the term of each member expires, each new member shall be elected at the next regular municipal election for the term provided under RSA 673:5, II. III. A local legislative body which has provided for the election of zoning board of adjustment members may rescind that action by majority vote, in which event members shall thereafter be appointed in a manner prescribed by the local legislative body. The elected board shall, however, continue in existence, and the elected members in office may continue to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. III-a. A local legislative body's decision to change from an elected to an appointed zoning board of adjustment, or from an appointed to an elected zoning board of adjustment, may be made without amending the zoning ordinance. In a town operating under the town meeting form of government, the decision may be made at any annual or special town meeting. If the town has adopted the official ballot for the election of town officers, the question may be, but is not required to be, placed on the official ballot. If the question is not placed on the official ballot, the question shall be placed in the warrant and shall be voted on as a separate article at the town meeting. IV. [Repealed.] V. When a member also serves on a planning board, the individual shall recuse herself or himself from voting on matters previously decided by or pending before the planning board in a quasi-judicial capacity in which the member participated as a voting member. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1990, 71:1. 2009, 286:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2010. 2025, 108:1, eff. Aug. 22, 2025; 186:6, eff. July 1, 2025. 2026, ch. 318:23; 64, II, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

RSA 673:3-a Training.

673:3-a. Training. Any member of a zoning board of adjustment or planning board may complete training offered by the office of planning and development or another organization that provides similar training covering the processes, procedures, regulations, and statutes related to the board on which the member serves. The office of planning and development shall develop standard self-training materials and corresponding tests for zoning boards of adjustment and planning boards which shall be provided to members free of charge. The office of planning and development may provide other types of training, which may be designed in a variety of formats including, but not limited to, web-based, distance learning, or traditional classroom style. For purposes of this section, the term "member" includes regular and alternate members of zoning boards of adjustment and planning boards. Source. 1986, 213:4. 1996, 42:5. 2003, 319:9. 2004, 257:44. 2011, 224:121, eff. July 1, 2011. 2017, 156:64, eff. July 1, 2017. 2021, 91:198, eff. July 1, 2021. 2022, 272:70, eff. Aug. 23, 2022.

RSA 673:4 Historic District Commission.

673:4. Historic District Commission. I. The historic district commission shall consist of not less than 3 members and no more than 7 members who shall be appointed in a manner as prescribed by the local legislative body. II. Each historic district commission member shall be a resident of the city or town which establishes the district. One commission member shall be a member of the local governing body and one commission member may be a member of the planning board. Not more than 5 alternate members may be appointed. When an alternate sits in absence or disqualification of a regular member, the alternate shall have full voting powers. In determining each member's qualifications, the appointing authority shall take into consideration the appointee's demonstrated interest and ability to understand, appreciate and promote the purposes of the historic district commission. III. Members of a historic district commission also may serve on other municipal boards and commissions, including but not limited to a conservation commission established under RSA 36-A, and a heritage commission established under RSA 673:4-a. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1995, 138:3, eff. July 23, 1995.

RSA 673:4-a Heritage Commissions.

673:4-a. Heritage Commissions. I. The heritage commission shall consist of not less than 3 members and no more than 7 members who shall be appointed in a manner as prescribed by the local legislative body. II. Each heritage commission member shall be a resident of the city or town which establishes the commission. One commission member shall be a member of the local governing body. One commission member may be a member of the planning board. Not more than 5 alternate members may be appointed. When an alternate sits in absence or disqualification of a regular member, the alternate shall have full voting powers. If there is a historic district commission, one member of this commission shall be an ex officio member of the heritage commission. In determining each member's qualifications, the appointing authority shall take into consideration the appointee's demonstrated interest and ability to understand, appreciate and promote the purpose of the heritage commission. III. Members of a heritage commission also may serve on other municipal boards and commissions, including but not limited to a conservation commission established under RSA 36-A, and a historic district commission established under RSA 673:4. Source. 1992, 64:6. 1995, 138:4, eff. July 23, 1995.

RSA 673:4-b Agricultural Commissions.

673:4-b. Agricultural Commissions. I. The agricultural commission shall consist of not less than 3 members and no more than 7 members who shall be appointed in a manner as prescribed by the local legislative body. II. Each agricultural commission member shall be a resident of the city or town which establishes the commission. One commission member may be a member of the local governing body. One commission member may be a member of the planning board. Not more than 5 alternate members may be appointed. When an alternate sits in absence or disqualification of a regular member, the alternate shall have full voting powers. In determining each member's qualifications, the appointing authority shall take into consideration the appointee's demonstrated interest and ability to understand, appreciate, and promote the purpose of the agricultural commission. III. Members of an agricultural commission also may serve on other municipal boards and commissions, including but not limited to a conservation commission established under RSA 36-A, a historic district commission established under RSA 674:46, or a heritage commission established under RSA 674:44-a. Source. 2007, 266:3, eff. Aug. 28, 2007.

RSA 673:4-c Housing Commissions.

673:4-c. Housing Commissions. I. The housing commission shall consist of not less than 3 members and no more than 7 members who shall be appointed in a manner as prescribed by the local legislative body. II. Each housing commission member shall be a resident of the city or town which establishes the commission. One commission member may be a member of the local governing body. One commission member may be a member of the planning board. Not more than 5 alternate members may be appointed. When an alternate sits in absence or disqualification of a regular member, the alternate shall have full voting powers. In determining each member's qualifications, the appointing authority shall take into consideration the appointee's demonstrated interest and ability to understand, appreciate, and promote the purpose of the housing commission. III. Members of a housing commission also may serve on other municipal boards and commissions, including but not limited to a conservation commission established under RSA 36-A, a historic district commission established under RSA 674:46, a heritage commission established under RSA 674:44-a, or an agriculture commission established under RSA 674:44-e. Source. 2008, 391:3, eff. Sept. 15, 2008.

RSA 673:5 Terms of Local Land Use Board Members.

673:5. Terms of Local Land Use Board Members. I. (a) Except as provided in subparagraph (b), the term of any ex officio member serving on a local land use board shall coincide with the term for that other office; except that the term of the administrative official appointed by the mayor shall terminate with the term of office of the mayor appointing the official, and that the term of the administrative official appointed by the town council, board of selectmen, or village district commissioners shall be for one year. (b) A city or town council, board of selectmen, or the village district commissioners may determine that the city or town council member, the selectman member or the village district commission member shall be subject to a 4 month or an annual appointment under such conditions as it determines. II. The term of an elected or appointed local land use board member shall be 3 years. The initial terms of members first appointed or elected to any local land use board shall be staggered so that no more than 3 appointments or elections occur annually in the case of a 7 or 9 member board and no more than 2 appointments or elections occur annually in the case of a 5 member board, except when required to fill vacancies. III. The term of office for an appointed local land use board member shall begin on a date established by the appointing authority, or as soon thereafter as the member is qualified, and shall end 3 years after the date so established. If no successor has been appointed and qualified at the expiration of an appointed member's term, the member shall be entitled to remain in office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1996, 42:6; 181:2. 2010, 226:3, eff. Aug. 27, 2010.

RSA 673:6 Appointment, Number and Terms of Alternate Members.

673:6. Appointment, Number and Terms of Alternate Members. I. (a) The local legislative body may provide for the appointment of not more than 5 alternate members to any appointed local land use board, who shall be appointed by the appointing authority. The terms of alternate members shall be 3 years. (b) In a town which votes to elect its planning board members on a staggered basis according to the provisions of RSA 673:2, II(b)(2), alternate members of the planning board shall continue to be appointed according to the provisions of this paragraph until each member of the board is an elected member. Thereafter, the alternate planning board members shall be appointed according to the provisions of paragraph II. II. An elected planning board may appoint 5 alternate members for a term of 3 years each, which shall be staggered in the same manner as elected members pursuant to RSA 673:5, II. II-a. An elected zoning board of adjustment may appoint 5 alternate members for a term of 3 years each, which shall be staggered in the same manner as elected members pursuant to RSA 673:5, II. III. The alternate for a city or town council member, selectman, or village district commission member shall be appointed by the respective council, board, or commission in the same manner and subject to the same qualifications as the city or town council member, selectman, or village district commission member under RSA 673:2. The terms of alternate members shall be the same as those of the respective members and may be in addition to the alternates provided for in paragraph I. IV. Every alternate member appointed to a planning board under this section shall comply with the multiple membership requirements of RSA 673:7, I. V. An alternate member of a local land use board may participate in meetings of the board as a nonvoting member pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 676:1. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1986, 29:1. 1987, 197:1. 1991, 176:1. 1993, 69:2. 1996, 217:1. 2010, 270:1, eff. July 6, 2010. 2017, 143:1, eff. Aug. 15, 2017. 2019, 105:1, eff. Aug. 20, 2019.

RSA 673:7 Planning Board Members Serving on Other Local Boards.

673:7. Planning Board Members Serving on Other Local Boards. I. Any 2 appointed or elected members of the planning board in a city or town may also serve together on any other municipal board or commission, except that no more than one appointed or elected member of the planning board shall serve on the conservation commission, the local governing body, or a local land use board as defined in RSA 672:7. A member who also serves on a zoning board of adjustment shall recuse from voting on any matter previously decided by that board in a quasi-judicial capacity in which the member participated as a voting member. II. In counties in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places, the county commissioners shall determine which members of the planning board for those towns and places, if any, may serve on other municipal boards or commissions. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1989, 266:10. 1992, 64:7. 2007, 266:4. 2008, 391:4. 2011, 190:1, eff. Aug. 13, 2011. 2019, 105:2, eff. Aug. 20, 2019. 2026, 33:1, eff. June 21, 2026.

RSA 673:8 Organization.

673:8. Organization. Each local land use board shall elect its chairperson from the appointed or elected members and may create other offices as it deems necessary. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1996, 42:7, eff. June 23, 1996.

RSA 673:9 Term of Chairperson and Officers.

673:9. Term of Chairperson and Officers. I. The term of every officer and chairperson elected by a local land use board shall be one year. Both the chairperson and officers shall be eligible for reelection. II. In the case of planning boards, an ex officio member shall not serve as chairperson. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1996, 42:8, eff. June 23, 1996.

RSA 673:10 Scheduling of Meetings.

673:10. Scheduling of Meetings. I. Meetings of the heritage commission, the historic district commission, the agricultural commission, the housing commission, and the zoning board of adjustment shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the board may determine. II. The planning board shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month. III. A majority of the membership of a local land use board shall constitute the quorum necessary in order to transact business at any meeting of a local land use board. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1992, 64:8. 1996, 42:9. 2007, 266:5. 2008, 391:5, eff. Sept. 15, 2008. 2026, 318:24, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

RSA 673:11 Designation of Alternate Members.

673:11. Designation of Alternate Members. Whenever a regular member of a local land use board is absent or whenever a regular member disqualifies himself or herself, the chairperson shall designate an alternate, if one is present, to act in the absent member's place; except that only the alternate designated for the city or town council, board of selectmen, or village district commission member shall serve in place of that member. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1996, 42:10, eff. June 23, 1996.

RSA 673:12 Filling Vacancies in Membership.

673:12. Filling Vacancies in Membership. Vacancies in the membership of a local land use board occurring other than through the expiration of a term of office shall be filled as follows: I. For an elected member, by appointment by the remaining board members until the next regular municipal election at which time a successor shall be elected to either fill the unexpired term or start a new term, as appropriate. II. For an appointed, ex officio, or alternate member, by the original appointing or designating authority, for the unexpired term. III. The chairperson of the local land use board may designate an alternate member of the board to fill the vacancy temporarily until the vacancy is filled in the manner set forth in paragraph I or II. If the vacancy is for an ex officio member, the chairperson may only designate the person who has been appointed to serve as the alternate for the ex officio member. Source. 1983, 447:1. 2009, 114:1, eff. Aug. 21, 2009.

RSA 673:13 Removal of Members.

673:13. Removal of Members. I. After public hearing, appointed members and alternate members of an appointed local land use board may be removed by the appointing authority upon written findings of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. II. The board of selectmen may, for any cause enumerated in paragraph I, remove an elected member or alternate member after a public hearing. III. The appointing authority or the planning board shall file with the city or town clerk, the village district clerk, or the clerk for the county commissioners, whichever is appropriate, a written statement of reasons for removal under this section. IV. The council, selectmen, county commissioners with the approval of the county delegation, or district commissioners may for any cause enumerated in this section remove the members selected by them. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1989, 266:11, eff. July 1, 1989.

RSA 673:14 Disqualification of Member.

673:14. Disqualification of Member. I. No member of a zoning board of adjustment, planning board, heritage commission, historic district commission, agricultural commission, or housing commission shall participate in deciding or shall sit upon the hearing of any question which the board is to decide in a judicial capacity if that member has a direct personal or pecuniary interest in the outcome which differs from the interest of other citizens, or if that member would be disqualified for any cause to act as a juror upon the trial of the same matter in any action at law. Reasons for disqualification do not include exemption from service as a juror or knowledge of the facts involved gained in the performance of the member's official duties. II. When uncertainty arises as to the application of paragraph I to a board member in particular circumstances, the board shall, upon the request of that member or another member of the board, vote on the question of whether that member should be disqualified. Any such request and vote shall be made prior to or at the commencement of any required public hearing. Such a vote shall be advisory and non-binding, and may not be requested by persons other than board members, except as provided by local ordinance or by a procedural rule adopted under RSA 676:1. III. If a member is disqualified or unable to act in any particular case pending before the board, the chairperson shall designate an alternate to act in the member's place, as provided in RSA 673:11. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1988, 26:1. 1992, 64:9. 1996, 42:11. 2007, 266:6. 2008, 391:6, eff. Sept. 15, 2008. 2026, 318:25, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

RSA 673:15 Power to Compel Witness Attendance and Administer Oaths.

673:15. Power to Compel Witness Attendance and Administer Oaths. The chairperson of the zoning board of adjustment or, in the chairperson's absence, the acting chairperson may administer oaths. Whenever the board exercises its regulatory or quasi judicial powers it may, at its sole discretion, compel the attendance of witnesses. All expenses incurred under this section for compelling the attendance of a witness shall be paid by the party or parties requesting that a witness be compelled to attend a meeting of the board. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1996, 42:12, eff. June 23, 1996. 2026, 318:26, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

RSA 673:16 Staff; Finances.

673:16. Staff; Finances. I. Each local land use board may appoint such employees as it deems necessary for its work who shall be subject to the same employment rules as other corresponding civil employees of the municipality. Each board may also contract with planners, engineers, architects, and other consultants for such services as it may require. The expenditures of the board, exclusive of gifts, reimbursements, or amounts held pursuant to paragraph II, shall be within the amounts appropriated for the purpose by the local legislative body, which may provide such funds, equipment, and accommodations as it deems necessary or advisable for the board's work. Each board may accept and use gifts, grants, or contributions for the exercise of its functions, in accordance with procedures established for the expenditure of funds within the municipality. II. Any fee which a local land use board, acting pursuant to this title, collects from an applicant to cover an expense lawfully imposed upon that applicant, including but not limited to the expense of notice, the expense of consultant services or investigative studies under RSA 676:4, I(g) or RSA 676:5, IV, or the implementation of conditions lawfully imposed as part of a conditional approval, may be paid out toward that expense without approval of the local legislative body. Such fees: (a) Shall, whenever held by the municipality, be placed in the custody of the municipal treasurer, subject to the same investment limitations as for other municipal funds. (b) Shall be paid out only for the purpose for which the expense was imposed upon the applicant. (c) Shall be held in a separate, nonlapsing account, and not commingled with other municipal funds; provided, however, that such fees may be used to reimburse any account from which an amount has been paid out in anticipation of the receipt of said fees. (d) Shall be paid out by the municipal treasurer only upon order of the local land use board or its designated agent for such purpose. This paragraph shall not apply to application, permit, or inspection fees which have been set by the local legislative body as part of an ordinance, or by the selectmen under RSA 41:9-a. Notwithstanding RSA 672:7, a building inspector shall not be considered a "local land use board" for purposes of this section. III. Any fee which a city or town imposes on an applicant pursuant to this title shall be published in a location accessible to the public during normal business hours. Any fee not published in accordance with this paragraph at the time an applicant submits an application shall be considered waived for purposes of that application. A city or town may comply with the requirements of this section by publicly posting a list of fees at the city or town hall or by publishing a list of fees on the city or town's Internet website. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1991, 377:5. 1992, 172:1, 2. 2010, 303:2, eff. Sept. 11, 2010. 2022, 272:71, eff. Aug. 23, 2022.

RSA 673:17 Open Meetings; Records.

673:17. Open Meetings; Records. Each local land use board shall hold its meetings and maintain its records in accordance with RSA 91-A. Source. 1983, 447:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

RSA 673:18 Abolishing Planning Board, Heritage Commission, Historic District Commission, Agricultural Commission, or Housing Commission.

673:18. Abolishing Planning Board, Heritage Commission, Historic District Commission, Agricultural Commission, or Housing Commission. I. The local legislative body of a city, of a county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places, or of a town operating under the town council form of government, shall determine the manner in which the planning board, the heritage commission, the historic district commission, the agricultural commission, or the housing commission may be abolished. II. In all other towns, upon a petition to abolish the planning board, the heritage commission, the historic district commission, the agricultural commission, or the housing commission, signed by 100 or more voters or 1/10 of the registered voters in town, whichever number is less, the planning board, heritage commission, historic district commission, agricultural commission, or housing commission shall submit the proposal to the town or village district in the same manner prescribed in RSA 675:4, except that the question put to the voters shall be in substantially the following form: "Are you in favor of abolishing the planning board (heritage commission, historic district commission, agricultural commission, or housing commission) as proposed by petition of the voters of this town (village district)?" Source. 1983, 447:1. 1989, 266:12. 1992, 64:10. 2007, 266:7. 2008, 391:7, eff. Sept. 15, 2008.

RSA 673:19 Effect of Abolishing Planning Boards.

673:19. Effect of Abolishing Planning Boards. Upon the effective date of the abolition of a planning board, all land use control activities in the municipality formerly performed by the planning board shall cease. Existing zoning ordinances shall remain in effect following the abolition date for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of such action, but no amendment to a zoning ordinance requiring action by the former planning board shall be permitted. Source. 1983, 447:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

RSA 673:20 Effect of Abolishing Heritage Commissions, Historic District Commissions, Agricultural Commissions, and Housing Commissions.

673:20. Effect of Abolishing Heritage Commissions, Historic District Commissions, Agricultural Commissions, and Housing Commissions. Upon the effective date of the abolition of a heritage commission, historic district commission, agricultural commission, or housing commission all the powers and duties of such commission shall cease. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1992, 64:11. 2007, 266:8. 2008, 391:8, eff. Sept. 15, 2008.

RSA 673:21 Transfer of Documents Upon Abolition of Planning Board, Heritage Commission, Historic District Commission, Agricultural Commission, and Housing Commission.

673:21. Transfer of Documents Upon Abolition of Planning Board, Heritage Commission, Historic District Commission, Agricultural Commission, and Housing Commission. I. Whenever a heritage commission, historic district commission, agricultural commission, or housing commission is abolished, the records shall be transferred to the planning board. In a municipality where a planning board does not exist, the records shall be transferred to the city, town, or village district clerk, or to the clerk for the county commissioners, whichever is appropriate. II. Whenever a planning board is abolished, the records shall be transferred to the city or town clerk, to the clerk of the board of district commissioners, or to the clerk for the county commissioners, whichever is appropriate. Source. 1983, 447:1. 1989, 266:13. 1992, 64:12. 2007, 266:9. 2008, 391:9, eff. Sept. 15, 2008.

RSA 673:22 Transfer of Documents Upon Abolition of Zoning Ordinance.

673:22. Transfer of Documents Upon Abolition of Zoning Ordinance. I. Whenever a zoning ordinance is abolished, the records of the zoning board of adjustment shall be transferred to the planning board. II. [Repealed.] Source. 1983, 447:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. 2026, 318:28; 64, III, eff. July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

Source: New Hampshire General Court (gc.nh.gov)URL: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-LXIV-673.htmFetched: 10/20/2026