Thursday, October 9, 2025
HomeMunicipalTown Council Adopts First Set of Zoning Amendments Using New Process

Town Council Adopts First Set of Zoning Amendments Using New Process

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Town of Salem, NH

Recently, the Town Council unanimously adopted five zoning amendments using the new process created under the 2023 Town Charter. The new process involves multiple public hearings, a recommendation from the Planning Board, with discussion and ultimate approval by the Town Council rather than Town Meeting. The five zoning amendments were relative to the following topics. You can view the referenced Municipal Zoning Codes here: https://ecode360.com/27551953

  • Corner Lot Setbacks (Municipal Zoning Code § 490 – 202)
  • Updating Parking Requirements for Multi-family, Workforce Housing, and ADUs (Municipal Zoning Code § 490 – 701 & § 490 – 801)
  • Non-Commercial Keeping of Chickens (Municipal Zoning Code § 490 – 713)
  • Temporary Occupancy of Manufactured Home (Municipal Zoning Code § 490 – 808)
  • Expansion of Certain Non-conforming Uses (Municipal Zoning Code § 490 – 810)

Planning Director Jacob LaFontaine explains each of the five updates and reasoning for each in more detail in the below clip from the Town Council meeting.

The adopted Resolution as well as a presentation and memo from Planning Director Jacob LaFontaine can be found below with more information on the new amendments:

The Planning Board held public hearings on February 25, 2025 and March 25, 2025 and
unanimously recommended (7-0) that the Town Council adopt the proposed amendments. The Town Council ultimately unanimously approved (8-0) the Zoning Amendments on April 21, 2025.

For additional information on the process to approve Zoning Amendments since the 2023 Charter was adopted, please view the video below.

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