Rockingham County, New Hampshire
Town of Salem is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Town of Salem adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Town of Salem’s rules apply, not the county’s. 12 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 29, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Rockingham County page.
Buildings and structures inside Salem town limits that are subject to Chapter 490 floodplain regulations.
“no certificate of occupancy may be issued for a building or structure that is within the purview of the regulations contained in this subsection d until the building inspector certifies that all site and building improvements as contained in the building permit application, plans and associated documents have been completed; provided, however, that an applicant may request that the town accept a suitable and sufficient performance bond or letter of credit, in a form suitable to town counsel, to assure the completion of certain site or building improvements that, due to factors beyond the control of the applicant, have not been completed.”
Land inside Salem town limits.
“Pursuant to the authority conferred by RSA 674:16 to 674:23 and RSA 675:2 to 675:9 for the purposes contained in the Revised Statutes Annotated, this Salem Zoning Ordinance of 1961 shall take effect immediately upon passage. Amendments take effect immediately upon passage.”
Subdivisions inside Salem town limits.
submission lead time: >= 15 days (Before the Planning Board meeting at which the submission is to be considered.)
“Approval from the Planning Board is required for all subdivisions, lot line adjustments, new non-residential development, and expansions or changes of use to non-residential buildings or sites.”
Subdivision and site-plan applications inside Salem town limits.
submission lead time: >= 15 days (Before the Planning Board meeting at which the plan is to be considered.) · plan copies: 6 copies (Subdivision or site-plan submission.)
“Subdivisions and site plans must be submitted to the Planning Director at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which they are to be considered. Applicants are required to discuss plans with the Planning Director in advance of the submission deadline - incomplete plans will not be accepted. Six copies of the plan must be submitted, along with the names and addresses of abutters (on mailing labels), application forms, and the appropriate filing/notice fees.”
Town of Salem does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.
Rural District inside Salem town limits.
minimum lot size—single with sewer: 87120 square feet (Rural District.) · minimum lot size—duplex with sewer: 174240 square feet (Rural District.) · agriculture-related lot size: 5 acres (Some agriculture or other activities.)
“rural ref: § 490-302 87,120 single with sewer or 174,240 duplex with sewer or 5 acres (see notes) 150 single + 20 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit front: 30 side: 30 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
“residential ref: § 490-301 25,000 single with sewer or 37,500 duplex with sewer 150 single + 40 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit 100 at building line front: 30 side: 15 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
Residential District inside Salem town limits.
front setback: 30 feet (Residential District.) · side setback: 15 feet (Residential District.) · rear setback: 30 feet (Residential District.)
“residential ref: § 490-301 25,000 single with sewer or 37,500 duplex with sewer 150 single + 40 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit 100 at building line front: 30 side: 15 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
“rural ref: § 490-302 87,120 single with sewer or 174,240 duplex with sewer or 5 acres (see notes) 150 single + 20 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit front: 30 side: 30 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
Residential District inside Salem town limits.
maximum building coverage: <= 30 percent (Residential District.)
“residential ref: § 490-301 25,000 single with sewer or 37,500 duplex with sewer 150 single + 40 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit 100 at building line front: 30 side: 15 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
“rural ref: § 490-302 87,120 single with sewer or 174,240 duplex with sewer or 5 acres (see notes) 150 single + 20 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit front: 30 side: 30 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
Residential District inside Salem town limits.
maximum height: <= 35 feet (Or 2 1/2 stories; Residential District.)
“residential ref: § 490-301 25,000 single with sewer or 37,500 duplex with sewer 150 single + 40 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit 100 at building line front: 30 side: 15 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
“rural ref: § 490-302 87,120 single with sewer or 174,240 duplex with sewer or 5 acres (see notes) 150 single + 20 extra unit; 125 curved street + 40 extra unit front: 30 side: 30 rear: 30 30% building 1 unit/lot 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories”
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Salem or Rockingham County directly.
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.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Salem publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Rockingham County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Town of Salem means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
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