Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanDe
I always thought (maybe because Maines has these restrictions) that build/renovating close to the water (<250ft) was basically not possible. Maine has the 30% rule which means that the house can only be expanded 30% once and if that's been used it can't be. Does NH have something similar? The only rules I can find is permits have to be granted if it's closer than 250ft, anything closer than 50ft basically won't be approved but other than that it seems open. Is this true?
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That is essentially true. Construction, excavation, and fill within 250 ft. of a protected surface water needs a permit but most things can be permitted. New residential and commercial buildings cannot be constructed within 50 ft. of the water but existing buildings within that distance can be maintained and, if certain circumstances are met, expanded. It should also be noted that there is language in the law stating lots which would have buildable before the Shoreland Act passed cannot be rendered "unbuildable" solely as a result of the Act.
You do not want the rule set that was referenced by an earlier poster. Those are the Wetlands rules and cover beaches, docks, and bank stabilization. You want to review the Shoreland Act and Program rules found here:
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis...ries/rules.htm.
Make certain you get the newest rules package that was adopted December 17, 2016 found here:
http://des.nh.gov/organization/commi...-adpt-pstd.pdf.
As to the significance of 30%, when major modifications were made to the Act in 2008 they included a maximum limit on impervious surface coverage at 30%. This is no longer the case. Covering more than 30% of a lot with impervious is now possible but it requires implementation of an engineer designed stormwater management plan and restoration of the vegetation within the 50 ft. waterfront buffer.