Manchester, NH Zoning

14 districts. 3 overlays.
This profile is an earlier edition — some fields may be incomplete. An updated profile is in progress.

Overview

Worth knowing
  • Dual ordinance transition: new building type-based zoning code effective March 1, 2026 replaces prior use-based code
  • ADU preemption: NH HB 577 (July 2025) mandates statewide ADU allowance in all residential districts
  • Domestic chickens permitted as accessory use in all residential districts

+ 2 more in Quirks & notes

Districts

res_sf 4mu 2cbd 2com 2spec 2res_mf 1ind 1
CodeNameCategory Min lotHeight CoverageFAR Du/acParking Setbacks F/S/R
R-SRural Single-Familyres_sf35 ft0.4515 / 15 / 30
R-1AOne-Family Residential Ares_sf35 ft0.4515 / 15 / 30
R-1BOne-Family Residential Bres_sf40 ft0.515 / 15 / 30
R-2Two-Family Residentialres_sf35 ft0.515 / 15 / 30
R-MSuburban Multi-Familyres_mf50 ft0.752515 / 15 / 30
MX-1Mixed-Use 1mu45 ft12 / /
MX-2Mixed-Use 2mu85 ft35 / /
DT-1Downtown 1cbd90 ft / /
DT-2Downtown 2cbd240 ft0 / /
BC-1Business Corridor 1com85 ft / /
BC-2Business Corridor 2com85 ft / /
MILLMillyard Districtspec90 ft / /
IDInnovation Districtind90 ft / /
CVConservationspec / /

Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found

Overlays

Arena
Arena Overlay
DT

Partial — area surrounding downtown arena

ML-GMZ
ML-GMZ (Landfill Groundwater Management Zone)
ENV
Adopted Nov 28, 2006

Partial — landfill groundwater contamination area

LMP
Lake Massabesic Protection
ENV

Partial — Lake Massabesic watershed

Adopted building codes

Statewide

2021
2021
2023
2021
IECC (Residential)
2018
IECC (Commercial)
2018

Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.

Quirks & notes

  • Dual ordinance transition: new building type-based zoning code effective March 1, 2026 replaces prior use-based code
  • ADU preemption: NH HB 577 (July 2025) mandates statewide ADU allowance in all residential districts
  • Domestic chickens permitted as accessory use in all residential districts
  • Overlay district accessibility gaps: Arena, ML-GMZ, and Lake Massabesic overlay parameters not fully accessible in online portal
  • Missing middle housing focus: 2026 ordinance explicitly introduces Triple-Decker and Small MF building types to expand housing options

Formulas

Definitions

height
Grade to highest point of structure. Building type-based: each type has own height limit.
lot_coverage
Building footprint / lot area. Varies by building type within each district.
far
du_ac
Dwelling units per acre. Specified per building type in MF and mixed-use districts.
impervious_cover
setback_front
Front property line to nearest building face. Varies by building type.
setback_side
Side property line to nearest building face. Expressed as total for both sides in some districts.
setback_rear
Rear property line to nearest building face.
parking

Capacity calculations

max_footprint_sf
lot_area_sf * lot_coverage
buildable_width_ft
lot_width_ft - setback_side_ft * 2
buildable_depth_ft
lot_depth_ft - setback_front_ft - setback_rear_ft
buildable_envelope_sf
buildable_width_ft * buildable_depth_ft
max_stories_approx
max_height_ft / 10

Massing explorer

Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.

Sort by
LOW
HIGH
drag to orbit · scroll to zoom
Max height
ft
Floor area ratio
Lot coverage
%
Setbacks (F / S / R)
ft
Parking
/unit
Max density
du/ac
Min lot size
sf
Copy zoning profile
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District Category Height FAR Coverage Setbacks Parking Density Min lot Overlays

Research status

Data quality

70%completeness115 confirmed15 partial10 inferred
Documented gaps
  • Overlay district parameters not accessible
  • CV Conservation district not extracted
  • Full Table 5.3-A building type matrix not extracted
  • Parking ratios not extracted

Known issues

schema:v1-legacypriority:lowdata:gaps-present