BATH ZONING BY-LAWS - SECTION VIII DISTRICTS 
SECTION VIII: DISTRICTS (continued) 
 
4. Steep Slope Conservation District 
 
a. Purpose and Intent: 
 
   For the purpose of this Ordinance, a steep slope is any area with a 
   dominant slope greater than 15%. These areas are especially subject 
   to erosion and excess runoff. 
 
   The purpose of the Steep Slope Conservation District is to protect 
   the public health, safety, natural resources, and general welfare by 
   controlling and guiding the use of land with slopes greater than 
   15%. 
 
   It is intended that the provisions of this Ordinance shall: 
 
   1.  Promote the general health, safety, and welfare of the community 
       through restrictions on the uses of within the Steep Slope 
       District; 
 
   2.  Reduce damage to streams and lakes from erosion, runoff of storm 
       water caused by improper or excessive construction, or effluent 
       from improperly sited sewage disposal systems; 
 
   3.  Preserve vegetative cover, wildlife habitat, scenic views and 
       protect unique and unusual natural areas and maintain ecological 
       balance; 
 
   4.  Permit those uses of land which can be harmoniously, 
       appropriately, and safely located on steep slopes. 
 
   b. Delineation 
 
   1.   District Delineation: The Steep Slopes Conservation District 
        includes all areas shown as having steep slopes on the 
        Slopes Map of the Town of Bath. 
 
   c.   Uses Permitted by Owners or Agents: 
 
   1.  Recreation: Steep slope areas may be used for recreation 
       purposes; such as hiking, hunting, cross country skiing and 
       other which do not alter the natural surface configuration 
       or vegetative cover of the land. 
 
   2.  Agriculture: Steep slope areas may used for agricultural purposes 
       which can be and are conducted in a manner consistent with 
       optimum soil conservation practices. 
 
   3.  Logging: Logging is permitted subject to the Provisions of "RSA 
       149, Section 8-a, to minimize soil erosion or long-term damage to 
       the area. 
 
   4.  Development: 
 
   a. 15-25% Slope: Low density, single-family residential 
   development is permitted if detailed on-site investigation 
   determines that sewage disposal systems and access roads can 
   be constructed and maintained without having an adverse impact 
   upon the ecology of the area. 
 
   b. 25% +: No residential development shall be allowed on slopes 
   exceeding 25%. 
 
                                  Page 12 
 
SECTION VIII: DISTRICTS (continued) 
 
   e. Special Conditions: 
 
   1. Lot Size: The minimum lot size in the Steep Slope Conservation 
      District is 6 acres. 
 
   2. Development: Any proposal for construction or development 
      within the Steep Slope Conservation District shall include: 
 
   a. A plan indicating how the proposed development will not provide 
      adequately for storm water runoff; 
 
   b. A plan for maintenance and/or reclamation of vegetative cover. 
      These Plans must be approved by the Planning Board before any 
      permits can be issued. In addition, the Selectmen may require a 
      performance bond to assure that the approved plans are 
      implemented. 
 
   3. Declamation: all situations where construction or use has 
      caused a disturbance of the natural terrain and/or vegetative 
      cover, such terrain/cover shall be restored as closely as 
      feasible to the original condition by the owner/agent and 
      maintained until conditions are stabilized.