Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Westmoreland, New Hampshire

Town of Westmoreland’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Westmoreland town limits, under the Town of Westmoreland Zoning Ordinance (districts C/I, FR, MDR, RR, VC)

  • The ordinance book reviewed is the 2020 printing; its cover states adoption in June 1988 with amendments through 2020. Current codified version not verified.
  • Use not listed as permitted in the ordinance is prohibited (section 204), so each use must be checked against the district tables.
  • Zoning permit and zoning board processes apply per the town planning page.

  “zoning ordinances of the town of westmoreland, new hampshire adopted: june 1988”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Westmoreland town limits

  • The ordinance lists five districts; the zoning map is on file with the town clerk and is incorporated by section 202. The map itself was not opened.
  • Boundaries are interpreted by the board of adjustment where uncertain (section 203).

  “the town of westmoreland is hereby divided into the following zoning districts as shown on the town zoning map: c/i commercial/industrial fr forestry residential mdr medium density residential rr rural residential vc village center”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots in the Rural Residential (RR) district inside Westmoreland town (Table 505)

  • Table 505 lists depth as a blank field, so no depth minimum is stated in the captured text.
  • Other districts (FR one family per ten acres per the district purpose text; MDR; VC; C/I) are not confirmed in this record.

  minimum lot size: 5 acres (Rural Residential district) · frontage: 500 feet (Rural Residential district)

  “minimum lot size: 5 acres frontage: 500’ depth: minimum yard setback in feet: front yard: 50’ maximum lot coverage in percent: 15% maximum building height: 35’”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Principal buildings on lots in the Rural Residential (RR) district inside Westmoreland town (Table 505)

  • Only the front yard figure was captured. Side and rear yard figures for RR were not captured.
  • Lots on corners and frontage exceptions (section 418 etc.) not checked.

  front yard setback: 50 feet (Rural Residential district; side and rear values not captured)

  “minimum yard setback in feet: front yard: 50’”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots in the Rural Residential (RR) district inside Westmoreland town (Table 505)

  • Coverage per the definition of 'coverage' includes buildings, structures and paving, crushed stone and gravel.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 15 percent (Rural Residential district)

  “minimum lot size: 5 acres frontage: 500’ depth: minimum yard setback in feet: front yard: 50’ maximum lot coverage in percent: 15% maximum building height: 35’”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings in the Rural Residential (RR) district inside Westmoreland town (Table 505)

  • The table states no height limit for agricultural uses.
  • Height is measured per the ordinance's building height definition.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Rural Residential district; no height limit for agricultural uses)

  “maximum building height: 35’ no height limit for agricultural uses”

• Manufactured homesAllowed

  Mobile home as a use on a lot in the Rural Residential (RR) district inside Westmoreland town

  • Listed in the RR district table as a use in the first permitted list (reading of the table layout; the headers were captured together).
  • Mobile home parks are a separate special-exception use in RR.
  • Dimensional rules for RR apply: 5-acre minimum lot size, 500-foot frontage, 50-foot front yard, 15% coverage, 35-foot height.
  • Other districts (FR, MDR, VC, C/I) not checked for mobile homes.

  minimum lot size: 5 acres (Rural Residential district)

  “table 505 “rr” – rural residential uses permitted uses allowed by special exception 1. one-family dwelling 2. agricultural and forest use 3. accessory use 4. home based occupation 5. mobile home 6. wildlife refuge”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Westmoreland town

  • Subdivision regulations are a separate document linked on the planning page; their text was not opened.

  “the planning board holds hearings on proposed site plan reviews and subdivisions.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning and building permit fees inside Westmoreland town

  • The fee schedule PDF is linked on the planning page but was not opened; amounts are not stated here.

  “zoning board application guide planning and zoning fee schedules site plan regulations”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning permit process inside Westmoreland town

  • The planning page lists a 'when to get a permit' guide and application forms; not opened.
  • Plans that deviate from ordinances go to the zoning board of adjustment process per the planning page.

  “if plan meets town ordinances, you will receive a zoning permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Westmoreland or Cheshire County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits inside Westmoreland town
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Westmoreland town
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Westmoreland town
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Westmoreland town
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Westmoreland town

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Westmoreland means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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