This bill amends existing zoning laws to prohibit the legislative bodies of cities, towns, village districts, or counties with unincorporated towns or unorganized places from adopting or enforcing ordinances that limit the number of occupants in a dwelling unit to fewer than two occupants per bedroom. Additionally, it restricts these bodies from enacting ordinances based on various criteria, including familial or non-familial relationships, marital status, occupation, employment status, or educational status of the occupants, which encompasses college students.

The new legal language inserted into RSA 674:16 establishes these prohibitions and clarifies that the governing bodies cannot enforce such ordinances. However, the bill specifies that it does not interfere with the enforcement of the state building code or state fire code. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of September 13, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 674:16
As Amended by the House: 354-A:8
As Amended by the Senate: 674:16
Version adopted by both bodies: 674:16
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 674:16