Live Free or Die Legal
This website is not an official source of law. This website does not provide legal advice. For official legal materials, verify against the relevant court, legislature, agency, or other official source. Legal information may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed. Consult a qualified attorney for advice about a specific legal matter.

This RSA section is an unofficial mirror, is not legal advice, and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed.

RSA 483-B:2 · Minimum Standards Required

Title
L: WATER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
Chapter
483-B · SHORELAND WATER QUALITY PROTECTION ACT
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
Official source Copy section link

483-B:2 Minimum Standards Required. – To fulfill the state's role as trustee of its waters and to promote public health, safety, and the general welfare, the general court declares that the public interest requires the establishment of standards for the subdivision, use, and development of the shorelands of the state's public waters. The development standards provided in this chapter shall be the minimum standards necessary to protect the public waters of the state of New Hampshire. These standards shall serve to:

Copy link
I.

Further the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions.

Copy link
II.

Provide for the wise utilization of water and related land resources.

Copy link
III.

Prevent and control water pollution.

Copy link
IV.

Protect fish spawning grounds, aquatic life, and bird and other wildlife habitats.

Copy link
V.

Protect buildings and lands from flooding and accelerated erosion.

Copy link
VI.

Protect archaeological and historical resources.

Copy link
VII.

Protect commercial fishing and maritime industries.

Copy link
VIII.

Protect freshwater and coastal wetlands.

Copy link
IX.

Control building sites, placement of structures, and land uses that may potentially damage the public waters.

Copy link
X.

Conserve shoreline cover and points of access to inland and coastal waters.

Copy link
XI.

Preserve the state's lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters in their natural state.

Copy link
XII.

Promote wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and scientific study.

Copy link
XIII.

Protect public use of waters, including recreation.

Copy link
XIV.

Conserve natural beauty and open spaces.

Copy link
XV.

Anticipate and respond to the impacts of development in shoreland areas to the extent they may potentially damage the public waters.

Copy link
XVI.

Provide for economic development in proximity to waters. Source. 1991, 303:1. 1992, 235:1, 2. 1994, 383:1. 2011, 224:383, 384, eff. June 29, 2011.

Copy link

Source note

Source. 1991, 303:1. 1992, 235:1, 2. 1994, 383:1. 2011, 224:383, 384, eff. June 29, 2011.

Source history

  • 1991, 303:1
  • 1992, 235:1, 2
  • 1994, 383:1
  • 2011, 224:383, 384, eff. June 29, 2011

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1141 reference

    e a public hearing is not required, a copy of the application for issuance of a permit, certificate, or license within the designated river or corridor under RSA 485-C, RSA 485-A, RSA 483-B, [RSA 12-E,] RSA 270:12, RSA 482, RSA 482-A, except notifications for minimum impact activities under RSA 482-A:3, V and XII and for routine roadway maintenance under RSA 482-A:3, XVI on land used for agricultural purpo

  • 2026 HB1141-FN reference

    e a public hearing is not required, a copy of the application for issuance of a permit, certificate, or license within the designated river or corridor under RSA 485-C, RSA 485-A, RSA 483-B, [RSA 12-E,] RSA 270:12, RSA 482, RSA 482-A, except notifications for minimum impact activities under RSA 482-A:3, V and XII and for routine roadway maintenance under RSA 482-A:3, XVI on land used for agricultural purpo

  • 2026 HB1752 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    r associated road or gravel pit construction in wetlands, shoreland protection zones, or other environmentally sensitive areas shall require additional permits under RSA 482-A and RSA 483-B. II. The division of forests and lands shall coordinate with the department of environmental services to ensure compliance. 227-J:21 In-Stream Wood Placement. I. Projects to place wood in streams for habitat enhancem

  • 2026 HB1752-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    r associated road or gravel pit construction in wetlands, shoreland protection zones, or other environmentally sensitive areas shall require additional permits under RSA 482-A and RSA 483-B. II. The division of forests and lands shall coordinate with the department of environmental services to ensure compliance. 227-J:21 In-Stream Wood Placement. I. Projects to place wood in streams for habitat enhancem

  • 2026 SB527 reference

    is not required, shall ensure that a copy of the application for issuance of a permit, certificate, or license within the designated river or corridor under RSA 485-C, RSA 485-A, RSA 483-B, RSA 12-E, RSA 270:12, RSA 482, RSA 482-A is provided, except notifications for minimum impact activities under RSA 482-A:3, V and XII and for routine roadway maintenance under RSA 482-A:3, XVI on land used for agricult

  • 2026 SB564 reference · effective 2027-07-01

    duplicative or more restrictive municipal caps on road length unnecessary and duplicative. IV. Environmental protections for wetlands and protected shoreland under RSA 482-A and RSA 483-B remain vital and are not altered by this act. Allowing utilities in other open space or buffer areas promotes compact development and reduces sprawl, preserving larger tracts of conservation land. V. These provisions

  • 2026 SB565 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    k of price increases due to extreme precipitation, storm surge, coastal flooding, high winds, hurricanes, and hail. For the purposes of this section, the commissioner may consult RSA 483-B:22, FEMA flood maps, the National Flood Insurance Program, and any other available mapping that may include projected threats, including first street maps, the New Hampshire coastal viewer, and the department of environmen

  • 2026 SB565-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    k of price increases due to extreme precipitation, storm surge, coastal flooding, high winds, hurricanes, and hail. For the purposes of this section, the commissioner may consult RSA 483-B:22, FEMA flood maps, the National Flood Insurance Program, and any other available mapping that may include projected threats, including first street maps, the New Hampshire coastal viewer, and the department of environmen

Opinions and discipline decisions mentioning this RSA