As part of the Town of Manchester’s ongoing Comprehensive Zoning Regulations Update, seven proposed zoning regulation amendments are now available for public review. These applications represent the next phase of aligning Manchester’s Zoning Regulations with the goals of the Manchester NEXT Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).
Each application addresses a specific topic within the zoning regulations. All seven applications will be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission and will include public hearings, where residents and taxpayers may provide input before any decisions are made. Please Note:
- Public hearing dates will be published on this page and are regularly available on the Planning & Zoning Commission's web page.
- Below is a brief overview of each proposed amendment. The complete overview is located in the “Proposed Zoning Amendment” section on the right-hand side of this page.
Application 1: Update Nonconforming Uses and Structure Regulations
(REG-0019-2025)
Purpose: Ensure that regulations are within their statutory authority in allowing for the continuation of non-conforming uses and continued use or restoration of non-conforming structures.
Application 2: Update Prohibited Use List
(REG-0020-2026)
Purpose: Ensure that uses that are incompatible with other uses in the town, may cause nuisance or safety or health hazards, and may impair water quality are prohibited and adequately defined.
Application 3: Update Uses Permitted in Residential Zones
(REG-0021-2026)
Purpose: Ensure that appropriate uses are allowed in residential zones, that there are expanded opportunities for the development of a diversity of housing types, and that there is a rational and consistent basis by which uses are allowed.
Application 4: Update Residential Principal Use Regulations
(REG-0022-2026)
Purpose: Improve clarity of residential use regulations, remove redundancy and inconsistencies between the use regulations and the Section 8.1 development standards, remove language that could be interpreted as more restrictive than intended, simplify the regulations for a single-family conversion to two-family or multi-family, and simplify the two-family residence regulations.
Application 5: Update Residential Accessory Use Regulations
(REG-0023-2026)
Purpose: Ensure that accessory use regulations are not overly restrictive of permitted uses.
Application 6: Amend Residential Zone Standards
(REG-0024-2026)
Purpose: Ensure that lot standards are consistent with a majority of existing residential properties so as to reduce non-conformities and reduce the Commission’s broad discretion in varying standards in favor of providing well defined lot standard exceptions.
Application 7: Restructure Historic Zone Regulations and Provide a Village District Overlay Zone
(REG-0025-2026)
Purpose: Restructure the historic zone regulations to establish the Silk Mill and Family Mansion areas as separate zoning districts to allow the regulations for each zone to be tailored to each zone and to classify the Family Mansion area as a residential zone. Establish a village district overlay of the Silk Mill and Family Mansion zones to enable the application of design standards that are present within the existing regulations but currently outside of the Zoning Commission’s authority to enforce.
How to Participate
All seven applications will be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission during upcoming public hearings. Residents and property owners are encouraged to review the applications and share comments during the public hearing process.
Public hearing dates will be published on this page and are regularly available on the Planning & Zoning Commission's web page.
Thank you for your contribution!
Help us reach out to more people in the community
Share this with family and friends