House adopts statewide cap of one parking space per residential unit in amended bill

The New Hampshire House adopted the majority committee report, as amended, on Senate Bill 284, which sets a statewide cap of one required residential parking space per unit.

Representative Joe Alexander presented the committee report, which included committee amendment 1556h. Supporters argued the change would reduce excessive local parking mandates that increase construction costs and limit housing supply. Representative Potenza said the legislation would help build more affordable rental housing by preventing municipal rules from requiring two or more spaces per unit in locations where that standard is out of date.

Opponents said the measure would undermine local zoning authority and fail to account for differences between rural and urban communities. Representative Rice said the bill "undermines the ability of local communities to make decisions based on their unique needs and infrastructure" and warned of spillover on‑street parking and seasonal problems such as winter parking bans. Representative Andress urged local control and suggested putting the issue to municipal voters.

The House took a roll-call vote on the committee report as amended; the clerk announced "197 in the affirmative, 144 in the negative," and the committee report was adopted. The chair directed the House to proceed toward third reading procedures and noted committee work and forthcoming sessions.

What happens next: the bill, as amended, advanced under the House's calendar; additional steps in the legislative process will determine final enactment.