Local Land Use Regulations and Tourism Development

Provided below is a summary description of how the land use regulations in the six town study area treat hotels, campgrounds, second homes, attractions, and retail shopping. If a Town permits a use by special exception (SE), normally, the Planning Board will impose conditions of approval and can also require submission of a site plan. In Table 16 (below) a P means permitted by right and N means not permitted. Zoning maps for Freedom, Madison, Ossipee, and Sandwich should be referred to for locational information.

 Effingham  The Town of Effingham has no zoning.

 Freedom  Village Residential (VR) Zone  Tourist homes are permitted by SE
   General Residential (GR) Zone  Tourist homes and Water Recreation and Storage Facilities are permitted by SE
   Rural Residential (RR) Zone  Camps/Campgrounds, Outdoor Recreational Facilities are permitted by SE
   Light Commercial (LC) Zone  Retail stores are permitted; Tourist Home, Water Recreation/storage facilities are permitted by SE
   Shore Front District (SF)  An environmental overlay district imposes SE standards for Marinas, Shore front common areas, erosion control, cutting use accessory SE
 

 SE Standards for:

a) Tourist Home: accessory to residential lot; 6 or fewer "sleeping rooms"

b) Water Recreation and Storage Facilities: "adequate" 4-foot high fence

c) Camps/Campgrounds


 Madison  Rural Residential (RR) District  Lodging House (B&B) facilities
   Commercial (C) District  "Any commercial use, subject to site plan review
   Village (V) District  Lodging House, Retail Stores/Shops, Restaurants, Inns are permitted by SE
 Definitions:  "Commercial"  A use primarily concerned with the marketing of goods or services
   "Inns and Motels"  A single structure affording accommodations such as lodging, meals, and entertainment for not more than thirty (30) transient guests
   "Lodging House"  A building, usually a home, in which rooms are rented to transient guests

 Ossipee  The Town of Ossipee has a more complex ordinance than the other three towns with zoning ordinances. For this reason, the zoning information for Ossipee relative to common tourism facilities is presented in Table 16. The major area of review by the Town under the zoning ordinance is the special exception review by the Zoning Board of Adjustment for Recreation Facilities and for Recreation Camps and Parks.
 

Table 16: Land Use Regulation for Ossipee
 Uses Zoning Districts
   Village  Residential  Roadside Commercial  Commercial  Rural
 Lodging House  P P N N SE
 Amusement Facility  P N P P N
Bed & Breakfast P P P P SE
 Inn, Motel, Hotel P N P P N
 Restaurant P N P P N
 Retail Store P N P P N
 Recreation Facility  SE SE SE SE SE
 Recreation Camps and Parks N N SE N SE

 Sandwich  Rural Residential (RR) District  "Recreational uses consistent with preservation of open spaces and natural resources which do not materially harm or affect residential or rural quality of the area"
   Inns, Retail Stores, Restaurants   SE under Section 14.2.5
   Commercial (C) District  Retail stores, sales rooms, retail service establishments (restaurants)
   Shoreland District  Non-commercial recreation

 Tamworth  The Town of Tamworth does not have zoning.


Of the four Towns with zoning ordinances, Ossipee appears to provide the most flexibility for tourist and recreational type uses. However, all Towns appear to enable small lodging and recreational facilities in appropriate locations.