The purpose of this article is to increase the supply of affordable
housing in the Town without the need for more infrastructure or further
land development, while maintaining aesthetics and residence use compatible
with homes in the neighborhood.
An ADU shall be permitted in zoning DISTRICTS that permit single-family
dwellings, and only in accordance with the following provisions:
A. An ADU is allowed only in single-family dwellings. An ADU is not
allowed in two- or multifamily dwellings or in any nonresidential
uses.
B. An ADU is not allowed as a freestanding detached STRUCTURE or as
part of any STRUCTURE which is detached from the principal dwelling.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES or trailers may not be
erected or added to the principal dwelling as an ADU.
C. Either the principal DWELLING UNIT or the ADU must be occupied by
the owner of record of the principal dwelling. Upon request of the
Zoning Administrator or other official with the authority to enforce
this ordinance, the owner of record shall demonstrate that one of
the units is his or her principal place of residence.
D. The front face of the principal dwelling STRUCTURE is to appear as
a single-family dwelling after any alterations to the STRUCTURE are
made to accommodate an ADU. Any additional separate entrances must
be located on the side or rear of the STRUCTURE.
E. At least one common interior access between the principal DWELLING
UNIT and an ADU must exist. Two external means of egress (common or
separate) from both a principal DWELLING UNIT and an ADU must exist.
F. Separate utility service connections and/or meters for the principal
DWELLING UNIT and an ADU shall not exist. (This does not preclude
using a type of heating system for an ADU different from the type
for the principal DWELLING UNIT.) Separate service connections for
common areas shall be as required by building and electrical codes.
G. A minimum of four off-street paved parking spaces shall be provided
to serve the combined needs of the principal DWELLING UNIT and an
ADU. There shall not be a separate driveway for the ADU.
H. The size of an ADU shall not be less than 350 square feet nor greater
than 750 square feet. The size of the principal dwelling shall not
be reduced to less than 850 square feet in order to accommodate the
creation of an ADU. Measurement of size shall be consistent with Town
Assessor’s practices.
[2-2-2019 ATM, Art. 05, adopted 3-12-2019]
I. An ADU shall not have more than two bedrooms.
J. A building permit for an ADU must be approved and issued prior to
the construction of an ADU or conversion of existing space into an
ADU.
K. The house number for the ADU shall be the same as that of the primary
DWELLING UNIT, and there shall not be a separate mailbox for the ADU.
L. Multiple ADUs are not permitted on any LOT in any DISTRICT.
M. The maximum number of unrelated persons occupying an ADU shall not
exceed two.
N. An ADU shall have an interconnected fire alarm system with the principal
DWELLING UNIT.
O. An ADU shall make provision for adequate water supply and sewage
disposal in compliance with RSA 485-A: 38 and regulations adopted
by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, but separate
systems shall not be required for the principal STRUCTURE and ADU.
Verification of compliance with RSA 485-A:38 shall be filed with the
Town prior to issuance of a building permit.
[2-2-2019 ATM, Art. 05, adopted 3-12-2019]
An ADU application submitted under the auspices of this article
shall include: an accurate copy of the plan, which shall denote, describe
and/or identify the intended ADU area. The application shall be submitted
to the TOWN Zoning Administrator for determination as to its compliance
with this article.
An ADU shall not be considered an additional DWELLING UNIT for
the purposes of determining minimum dimensional requirements of a
principal dwelling LOT. An ADU shall be allowed to exist in a principal
dwelling on a legal nonconforming lot so long as all provisions of
this article can be satisfied. An ADU shall comply with all setback
requirements.
The Zoning Administrator shall be the final authority on compliance
and enforcement issues of this article.