Annual Land Use Regulation Survey Sent to Municipalities

The Office of Energy and Planning has sent their annual Municipal Land Use Regulation database survey to towns and cities across New Hampshire. The survey is sent to municipalities to update our files in accordance with RSA 675:9 which states "A copy of each master plan, zoning ordinance, historic district ordinance, capital improvement plan, building code, subdivision regulation, historic district regulation, site plan review regulation or amendment which is adopted by a municipality shall be placed in a central file with the office of state planning and energy programs; provided, however, that failure to file these documents or amendments with the office of state planning and energy programs shall not affect the validity of the document."

They survey asks respondents to review the information contained in the OEP municipal land use regulation database about what land use regulations they have, when they were first adopted and when they were most recently amended. As per RSA 675:9, municipalities are required to send OEP copies of all new or amended land use regulations.

In addition, the survey asks for the town’s website address, if their land use regulations are available on-line, what regional planning commission they are in and if they are a member, date of creation of the planning board and zoning board of adjustment, if either is an elected board, and the number of members and alternate members of each.

After compiling this information, OEP creates several statistical reports for inclusion in the Reference Library section of their web site. Questions about the survey or completing the information may be directed to Chris Northrop at chris.northrop@nh.gov.