NH COG trainers outline HB8002 changes: regional housing plans, middle housing rules and new parking standards

Jocelyn Ayers, the session presenter, told attendees of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments that the state law discussed in the briefing will require new regional planning and immediate zoning adjustments in some areas. "As of July 1, your regulations, shall allow the development of ... middle housing developments, which is defined as between 2 and 9 units," Ayers said, describing changes that will affect commercial and mixed‑use zones and give towns limited options to retain special‑permit requirements.

The training, moderated by NH COG staff and opened by Sarah Vetter of NH COG, focused on two primary parts of the measure: a multi‑year regional planning timeline and a set of zoning changes that apply sooner. Ayers said councils of governments must create a regional housing growth plan or member municipalities must adopt plans of their own; she called out a June 1, 2028 deadline for COG plans and said OPM (the Office of Policy and Management) is expected to issue implementation guidance and mapping tools before regional and statewide targets are published later in 2026.

Why it matters: the rules change what local zoning may permit or prohibit. Ayers emphasized that under the state's zoning enabling framework commissioners must not adopt rules that effectively bar multifamily or middle‑housing types and…