Homesteading in New Hampshire

Water Rights

System: Riparian

Follows riparian doctrine modified by statute. Withdrawals exceeding 20,000 gallons per day require registration with DES. Groundwater permits required above certain thresholds.

Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 485:3; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 485-C:21

Building Codes

Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)

State Building Code applies to all new construction statewide, based on IRC for residential. Towns may not adopt less restrictive codes.

Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 155-A:1 et seq.

Gun Laws

Open Carry: Yes

Constitutional Carry: Yes

Permitless concealed carry effective 2017. Open carry legal without a permit. No state firearms registration.

Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159:6

Right to Farm

Protected: Yes

Protects farms from nuisance suits if operating according to best management practices. Includes strong protections for agricultural land from restrictive local ordinances.

Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432:32 et seq.