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

Town of Middleton’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Structures and activities regulated by the Middleton Zoning Ordinance inside Middleton town.

  • A one-story detached unheated accessory structure not exceeding 120 square feet may receive a permit if it complies with applicable setbacks.

  accessory-structure maximum area: <= 120 square feet (One-story detached unheated accessory structure; it must comply with applicable setback requirements.)

  “A permit shall be obtained from the administering authority prior to undertaking any activity regulated by this Ordinance, or for the construction, erection, alteration, movement, or placement of any structure.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Accessory dwelling units inside Middleton town.

  • Required before occupancy of an accessory dwelling unit.

  “Prior to occupancy of the accessory dwelling unit, the homeowner shall obtain an occupancy permit from the Building Inspector.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within the Town of Middleton, New Hampshire.

  “This document shall be referred to as “Town of Middleton, NH Zoning Ordinance, as amended.””

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Middleton town.

  • District boundaries are determined by the official zoning map located in the Middleton Municipal Building; that map is the final authority for current zoning status.

  base and overlay districts: Rural Residential; Sunrise Lake; Residential-Commercial/Industrial; Wetlands Conservation; Flood Protection; Aquifer Protection; Shoreland Protection; Middleton 4 Corners

  “For the purpose of this Ordinance, the Town of Middleton shall be divided into the eight districts:”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots governed by the general dimensional requirements in Middleton town, including the Rural Residential District.

  • The Planning Board may require lots in new subdivisions to be larger than five acres based on the circumstances of the case.

  minimum lot size: >= 5 acres (Planning Board may require larger lots in new subdivisions based on the circumstances of the case.)

  “The minimum lot size shall be five (5) acres, although the Planning Board may require that lots in new subdivisions be larger than five (5) acres based on the circumstances of the case.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  One attached or detached accessory dwelling unit on a single-family dwelling lot in a zoning district permitting single-family dwellings in Middleton town.

  • Only one ADU is allowed for each single-family dwelling.
  • ADUs are prohibited on rented or leased land.
  • One additional parking space is required.
  • The owner must occupy one dwelling unit.
  • The ADU may not exceed 950 square feet or two bedrooms.
  • Water supply and sewage disposal must comply with RSA 485-A:38.
  • An occupancy permit is required before occupancy.

  maximum ADU living space: <= 950 square feet (May not exceed two bedrooms.) · maximum bedrooms: <= 2 bedrooms

  “Accessory dwelling units shall be allowed in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings. One accessory dwelling unit, which may be either attached or detached, shall be allowed as a matter of right.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision applications inside Middleton town.

  • The Planning Board reviews and approves subdivision applications and regulations.

  “reviewing and approving subdivision and site plan applications and regulations”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways and access ways inside Middleton town.

  • A permit must be issued by the Road Agent before logging, excavation, construction, modification, resurfacing, or moving of an access way.
  • The Planning Board continues to regulate new subdivision roads and lot driveways.

  “A driveway and access way permit must be issued by the Road Agent before starting any logging, excavation, construction, modification, resurfacing, or moving of an access way. The Planning Board shall continue to regulate new Subdivision road and lot driveways.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Land in FEMA-designated special flood-hazard areas inside Middleton town.

  • The Floodplain Development District overlays and supplements other zoning regulations.
  • Where provisions conflict, the greater restriction or more stringent standard controls.
  • The provisions apply to FEMA-designated special flood-hazard areas shown on the cited Flood Insurance Rate Map.

  “The following regulations in this Article shall apply to all lands designated as special flood hazard areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its “Flood Insurance Rate Map, Town of Middleton, New Hampshire, Strafford County which are declared to be a part of this Ordinance and are hereby incorporated by reference.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Driveway permit applications inside Middleton town.

  • The $100 application fee applies to the driveway application form.

  driveway application fee: 100 USD

  “Application Fee is $100.00. Please make checks payable to the Town of Middleton.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Middleton town.
• Building code adopted — Building work inside Middleton town.
• Inspections — Building construction inside Middleton town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Middleton town.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Middleton 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.