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House committee hears broad support and some local-control concerns for ADU bill HB 577
Summary
Supporters told the House Housing Committee HB 577 would expand accessory dwelling unit rights statewide — allowing detached or attached ADUs up to 950 square feet by right — while municipal officials warned it removes too much local control and does not guarantee long-term affordability.
HB 577, a bill to expand homeowner rights to build accessory dwelling units, drew a mix of business, housing-advocacy and municipal testimony at a public hearing of the New Hampshire House Committee on Housing.
Representative Joe Alexander, the bill sponsor, told the committee HB 577 would “enable a property owner to build an ADU by right up to 950 square feet” and allow the unit to be attached or detached, while preserving safety and building-code requirements. He said the bill is intended to reduce barriers that vary from town to town and to help address the state’s housing shortage.
The nut graf: witnesses from the home-building, real-estate and housing-advocacy sectors described ADUs as a comparatively low-cost, infill option that can serve seniors, young workers and family caregivers. Municipal representatives and the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) said the bill’s removal of certain local controls — especially on detached units,…
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