New manufactured homes could go on residential lots statewide

New manufactured homes would be allowed as a permitted use on individual lots in residential zones statewide. This applies to qualifying new manufactured homes on their own lots in every area zoned for residential use in New Hampshire. The home must meet the bill's definition of a new manufactured home: it must meet federal construction standards, be installed under state standards, be bought directly from a retailer, and never have been placed as a permanent home before. The home must meet the same lot size, frontage, space, and other reasonable controls as conventional single-family housing in that district; towns may set less restrictive rules for manufactured homes. This does not allow mobile homes, trailers, or manufactured homes previously placed for residential use at another location. The act would take effect 60 days after passage. Municipalities would have one year from that effective date to update their zoning ordinances.

Municipalities would have to treat qualifying new manufactured homes as permitted uses and could not unreasonably restrict or prohibit their placement in residential zones. These requirements apply to every New Hampshire municipality and its rules for qualifying new manufactured homes in residential zones. If a zoning ordinance has no rules for new manufactured homes, the home would be allowed without municipal permits or conditions beyond a building permit, if one is needed. The bill bars rules that discriminate against these homes, but it does not remove the lot and other reasonable controls described in the bill. Municipalities would have one year after the act's effective date to amend their zoning ordinances.