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I’ve just been appointed or elected to the planning board.  What resources are available to assist in getting up to speed and learning more about land use planning? What are the most commonly referenced statutes (RSA’s) for planning board members?

Question ~ I’ve just been appointed or elected to the planning board.  What resources are available to assist in getting up to speed and learning more about land use planning? Answer ~There are a number of key resources utilized by planners.  A partial list of tools and resources available to help get new members up to speed appears here.  The NH State website is a good starting point for finding information on state agencies, statutes (RSA’s), pending legislation, the courts, and much more.  Other helpful websites for planners include: NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) NH Planners Association American Planning Association NH Local Government Center (LGC) The NH Office of Energy and Planning has several helpful tools for planners: Reference Library Data Center Handbooks and Other Publications The Planning Board in NH – A Handbook for Local Officials For direct assistance on the functions and duties of a planning board as well as training for planning board members, try the New Hampshire Planning and Land Use Regulations. This publication is issued annually by NH OEP and provides information on the most commonly used statutes.  A CD version may also be purchased (NRPC typically orders these for boards in its member communities for a small fee).  For a list of commonly used planning statues, click here. For a complete list of statutes, click here.    Finally, contact NRPC to learn more about annual workshops, seminars and training.  Back to Top

Question ~What are the most commonly referenced statutes (RSA’s) for planning board members? Answer ~Some of the most commonly referenced RSA’s include: Abutters, Notice to -- 676:4, I(d) Bonding -- 674:36, III(b) Building Code Adoption -- 674:52, VI Building Permits Withheld -- 676:12 Condominiums -- see Subdivisions or 356-B, Condominium Act Capital Improvements Plan -- 674:5 – 8 Decisions, Issuance of -- 676:3 Documents Filed with NHOEP -- 675:9 Driveways -- 236:13 Excavations -- 155-E Fines & Penalties -- 676:17 4-Year Exemption -- 674:39 Governmental Land Uses -- 674:54 Growth Management  -- 674:22 Impact Fees -- 674:21 (v) Innovative Land Use -- 674:21 Joint Meetings -- 676:2 Land Affected by Municipal Boundaries -- 674:33 Lot Line Adjustments -- 676:4, I (e) Master Plan -- 674:2 - 4 Meetings, Public -- 91-A:2 Meetings, Scheduling -- 673:10, II Minutes, Available to the Public -- 91-A:4 Meetings, Non-Public Session -- 91-A:3 Notice, Public Hearing -- 675:7 Planning Board Appeals -- 677:15 Planning Boards -- See Chapter 673 Plats, Procedures by Board -- 676:4 Premature and Scattered -- 674:36, II Reasonable Fees -- 676:4, (g) Regional Impact -- 36:54 -58 Regulations, Method of Adoption -- 675:6 Revocation of Recorded Approval -- 676:4-a Right to Know -- 91-A:4 Rivers Management & Protection -- Chapter 483 Road Classifications -- 229:5 Scenic Roads -- 231:157-158 Shoreland Protection Act -- 483-B Site Plan -- 674:43 State Building Code -- Chapter 155-A Telecommunication Towers -- 12-K:1 – 9 Town Meeting – Official Ballot (SB2) -- Chapter 40 Town Meeting -  Traditional -- Chapter 39 Utility Structures -- 672:14, III, IV; 674:30 Voluntary Merger -- 674:39-a ZBA, Powers of -- 674:33 Zoning, Adoption, Amendment -- 675:3 Zoning, Petitioned Amendment -- 675:4 For a complete list of RSA’s, visit the NH State website or the NH OEP Planning Statute Index. Back to Top

For more information on RSAs, click here.

Page updated 3/18/08