Rockingham Planning Commission :: Resilient Land Use Guide for NH

Resilient Land Use Guide For New Hampshire

Adapting to Climate Change & Coastal Hazards

A set of land use model regulations that incorporate the best practices and updated information to help municipalities in New Hampshire adapt to climate change and coastal hazards.

Introduction

Municipalities in New Hampshire are increasingly taking steps to adapt to climate change and coastal hazards. The Resilient Land Use Guide for NH is intended to provide local officials and decision-makers with a set of land use model regulations that incorporate the best available information and practices to aid them in making informed decisions about land use within their municipalities. The Guide incorporates a wide range of topics related to resiliency and offers adaptation strategies that fit a variety of community goals and needs. Municipalities can choose regulations based on their geographic characteristic, community goals, or local issues. This Guide was developed to be user-friendly, and to allow for future expansion as needs are identified, knowledge changes, and community priorities evolve.

Developed in partnership between Rockingham Planning Commission and Strafford Regional Planning Commission, with support from the NH Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program, NH BEA Office of Planning & Development, and the NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup.

Legal Authority & How to Adopt the Regulations

Where Are You Located?

Locations Where Regulations Apply: Descriptions & Maps

Coastal Communities & Tidal Waters: Coastal Zone Designated Communities, Atlantic Coast, Great Bay/Piscataqua River Communities, & Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Watershed
Groundwater Resources: Groundwater Rise Projections

Surface Waters & Shorelands: Flood Zones and Projected Sea-Level Rise Impacted Areas
Inland Communities, NH Regional Planning Commissions, Rockingham Planning Commission & Strafford Regional Planning Commission

Complete Set of Descriptions & Maps

Case Studies

Portsmouth: One community’s approach to protecting historic resources from sea level rise and storm surge.

Hampton: One community’s approach to reducing flood hazards in the face of rising seas and development pressure.

Dover, Durham & Lee: Three unique approaches to improve floodplain management and reduce future flood risk in a changing climate.

Model Regulations

Model Topics & Regulations:

Stormwater: Impervious Surface Reduction | Development Requirements
Drinking Water Protection: Groundwater Protection | Surface Water Buffer Protection | Groundwater Rise & Saltwater Intrusion
Agriculture: Agricultural Conservation Subdivision | General Provisions
Recreation: Site Design Improvements for Pedestrians & Stormwater Reduction
Coastal Resiliency Project Funding: Transfer of Development Rights, Impact Fees for Infrastructure & Off Site Mitigation Requirements

For more information please contact Jenn Rowden, Land Use Program Manager at jrowden@therpc.org or 603-658-0521.

Guide Outreach

NH CAW Talks Presentation (6/23/2022) - Overview of the Guide

This project was funded, in part, by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act in conjunction with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program.