This bill amends existing law to grant municipalities the authority to enforce private covenants while simultaneously prohibiting them and the state government from requiring or encouraging such covenants as a condition for zoning or land use approvals. The bill introduces a new subdivision to RSA 674, specifically sections 674:77 through 674:79, which outlines the enforcement of private covenants and establishes an exception for workforce housing developments. Notably, municipalities can adopt ordinances to enforce covenants established by previous landowners or homeowners' associations, provided these covenants are still valid under current law.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the provisions regarding the enforcement of private covenants and the prohibition on requiring covenants do not apply to workforce housing developments, as specified in the new paragraph added to RSA 674:60. The legal language that is inserted includes the new sections on private covenants and the exception for workforce housing, while the bill deletes any requirement or encouragement of covenants as a condition for zoning or land use approval, rendering such covenants invalid if imposed by town officials. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 674:60