Julie Brown | Support HB1540

Chair and Members of the Committee, I am in support of HB 1540. HB 1540 is a thoughtful, targeted bill that restores local decision-making in one of New Hampshire’s most environmentally sensitive areas: the protected shoreland—land within 250 feet of our lakes, rivers, ponds, and coastal waters. Accessory dwelling units can be an important housing option, and nothing in this bill prevents communities from allowing them. What HB 1540 does is clarify that municipalities may choose whether detached ADUs are appropriate in the protected shoreland, rather than being required to allow them by right. This distinction matters because the protected shoreland serves as the last line of defense for our water resources. Natural shoreline buffers filter pollutants, stabilize soils, absorb stormwater, and reduce runoff before it reaches our lakes and rivers. Even small increases in impervious surfaces, land clearing, or soil compaction in this zone can have outsized impacts on water quality. The 2025 change to state law removed local discretion and required detached ADUs by right in all single-family zones, including protected shoreland areas. That one-size-fits-all approach does not reflect the unique environmental risks associated with shoreline development, nor the differences among New Hampshire’s communities. HB 1540 restores balance. It applies only to the protected shoreland and simply returns authority to municipalities to decide what makes sense for their local landscape, infrastructure, and water resources—while still allowing ADUs where communities determine they are appropriate. Protecting water quality and expanding housing options should not be mutually exclusive. HB 1540 recognizes that both goals can be met when communities are trusted to make informed, locally appropriate decisions. I respectfully urge you to support HB 1540. Thank you for your time and consideration.