City of Laconia, NH Article III Districts; Zoning Map

§ 235-14 Districts established.

The City is hereby divided into the following base districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map which, with all explanatory information thereon, is hereby adopted and made part of this chapter.[1]

A. Residential Rural (RR1) District. The Residential Rural District shall be designed to accommodate residential uses in what is commonly recognized as being a rural environment. Generally, the property included within this district will not have sewer and water facilities available. Agriculture, open space and other low-intensity uses shall also be permitted.

[Amended 10-14-1997 by Ord. No. 10.97.10]

B. Residential Rural Corridor (RR2) District. The Residential Rural Corridor District is intended to recognize the historic, scenic and agricultural values of the areas associated with Parade, Meredith Center and White Oaks Roads. Further, public health and safety considerations will be enhanced by anlocating for on-site sewer and water systems since the majority of these areas are not served by municipal water and sewer. This district is defined as the area extending 400 feet from either side of the center line of the right-of-way of the above-mentioned roadways, excluding those areas in the Commercial Resort District.

C. Residential Single-Family (RS) District. The Residential Single-Family District shall be designed to establish and maintain attractive areas used solely for single-family residences and closely related supporting facilities such as schools and churches.

D. Shorefront Residential (SFR) District. The Shorefront Residential District is designed to recognize the unique characteristics of the residential community associated with Lake Winnipesaukee and Weirs Beach.

E. Residential General (RG) District. The Residential General District is designed to allow a variety of housing types and supporting facilities, including recreational, educational and religious uses, which complement and make more practical medium densities of residential development. This district shall normally be located with relatively easy vehicular and/or pedestrian access to business or commercial areas, and public utilities shall be available prior to the time of zoning.

F. Residential Apartment (RA) District. The Residential Apartment District is designed primarily to allow moderate- to high-density multifamily developments of varying sizes and types in areas where such advantages as public facilities, utilities, transportation facilities, places of employment and/or commercial facilities are present, coupled with an attractive or particularly convenient site.

G. Urban Commercial (UC) District. The Urban Commercial District is designed in recognition of the fact that historically commerce and business tended to concentrate in a central area and that over the years the area has expanded outward from its traditional center along the major roadways. The area also features residential parcels that are transitioning to feature more density or to other uses, such as professional offices or personal services. The intent of this district is to permit expansion of existing uses or the redevelopment of parcels to new or different uses. The district will also provide opportunities, incentives and requirements to acknowledge and respect the Winnipesaukee River in the downtown area between Lake Opechee and Lake Winnisquam. The river is a focal point in the City's history and heritage and should be a critical factor in any redevelopment within the district. The district is defined as outlined on the official Zoning Map.

[Added 6-24-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-235-14[2]]

[2] Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection G, Professional (P) District.

H. (Reserved)[3]

[3] Editor's Note: Former Subsection H, Business Central (BC) District, was repealed 6-24-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-235-14.

I. Commercial Resort (CR) District. The Commercial Resort District is primarily intended to set aside areas where establishments catering to the dining, lodging and recreational needs of tourists or seasonal residents may be located. Also to be permitted in this district are such commercial residential uses as garden apartments and condominiums. The district shall generally be located adjacent to major tourist routes and attractions. Development will be encouraged which is characterized by open space, attractive landscaping and ample off-street parking areas. It is anticipated that small shops and retail stores may be located within this district as they meet the intent and requirements of this chapter.

J. Commercial (C) District. This district is intended to provide an area for those commercial or restricted industrial facilities with an attraction and customer service area which goes beyond the immediate neighborhood. Development contemplated within this district shall be required to provide adequate off-street parking areas on lots which relate in size to the contemplated building area. Availability of utilities shall be an important consideration.

K. (Reserved)[4]

[4] Editor's Note: Former Subsection K, Business Central/Industrial (BCI) District, as amended 1-8-1996 by Ord. No. 01-96.1, was repealed 6-24-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-235-14.

L. Industrial Park (IP) District. The Industrial Park District is intended to encourage development of an industrial park area for industries which have operations primarily within a building, minimal outside storage and abundant off-street parking facilities; such industries shall be located on spacious lots where utilities are available in an attractive setting.

M. Industrial (I) District. The Industrial District is intended to recognize, where feasible, existing industrially used areas and to permit controlled expansion of these industries; to provide for new transportation-related industrial uses; and to provide for smaller industrial sites in a variety of locations.

N. Airport Industrial (AI) District. The Airport Industrial District is created to recognize the geographical relationship between the industrial district at the airport in Gilford and land in Laconia adjacent to the Gilford district. The district provides expanded industrial opportunities from Route 11C (Lily Pond Road). The district is defined as that land bounded to the west by the easterly edge of the PSNH power line right-of-way, to the east by the Gilford/Laconia municipal boundary, to the north by the lot boundary between Lot Nos. 80B-79-4 and 80B-244-6, and to the south by the Commercial District associated with Rich's Plaza.[5]

[5] Editor's Note: Former Subsection O, Downtown Riverfront (DR) District, added 5-22-2000 by Ord. No. 05.2000.05, and which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 6-24-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-235-14.

[1] Editor's Note: Said map is on file in the office of the City Clerk.

§ 235-15 Official Zoning Map.

A. The Official Zoning Map of the City of Laconia shall be kept in the office of the City Clerk and shall be signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk.

B. Amendments to the Official Zoning Map. Amendments to the Official Zoning Map shall be in accordance with Article XIV, Amendments, of this chapter.

C. District boundaries.

(1) Interpretation of location. The location of district boundaries shall be as described in the boundary descriptions above and as shown on the Official Zoning Map and shall, where applicable, be the center lines of street or railroad rights-of-way, the middle of the channel of waterways or such lines extended.

(2) Lots of record bisected by district boundaries. Where a lot of record existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter is bisected by a district boundary and the frontage of the lot is located in the less restrictive of the districts, the less restrictive district requirements may be applied to the land area for a distance of 100 feet within the more restrictive district, measured from the shared district boundary.

[Amended 8-13-2001 by Ord. No. 05.2001.05]

§ 235-16 Winnipesaukee Urban Renewal Project.

Development within the Winnipesaukee Urban Renewal Project area is solely the function of the Laconia Housing and Redevelopment Authority until September 2, 2005.