​Miles: Fulfilling A Core Tenet Of The Contract With New Hampshire

MERRIMACK, NH — At the start of this legislative term, House Republicans made a commitment to the people of New Hampshire — a commitment to Expand Housing and Lower Property Taxes.

That promise wasn’t empty rhetoric. It was — and continues to be — a core tenet of our Contract with New Hampshire, a proactive roadmap to deliver real solutions for working families, homeowners, and communities across our state. House Bill 577 is a reflection of that promise being honored.

As Merrimack’s member of the Housing and Commerce Committees, I can attest HB 577 is one of the most comprehensive and meaningful reforms to housing policy in recent memory. It modernizes our state’s definition of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and expands their permitted use — unlocking more housing options in every community across New Hampshire.

At its core, HB 577 allows for both attached and detached ADUs by right in all zoning districts where single-family homes are already allowed. It preserves local control and property rights while eliminating outdated barriers that have made it difficult or even impossible for homeowners to build or convert space into safe, functional, and affordable living units for family members, caregivers, or renters. Parents can age at home, or provide economical housing for their adult children just getting started in the workforce.

This is not a handout. This is not top-down planning. This is a liberty-minded solution strengthening property rights and opening the door to housing opportunity — without mandates, new taxes, or expanded bureaucracy. After all, local control doesn’t get more local than statutes that enable your liberties by right.

ADUs are an ideal example of what housing freedom can look like. They help young families stay close to aging parents. They give seniors a way to downsize without leaving their neighborhoods. They offer an affordable option for workers struggling to find housing in today’s market. And with this bill, they can now be built more easily—whether attached to the main home or as a standalone structure—so long as they meet reasonable building and health standards.

Importantly, HB 577 also prevents municipalities from imposing arbitrary or punitive rules that discourage ADU development, such as unnecessary minimum lot sizes, aesthetic micromanagement, or excessive septic demands beyond what the state already requires. The legislation still respects local control — but it ensures local control isn’t used to outright deny housing growth where it’s most needed.

Some critics may argue we’re changing too much, too quickly. I would argue we’ve waited too long already. Families are being priced out of the communities they grew up in. Employers can’t find workers because there’s nowhere for those workers to live. Teachers, police officers, nurses, and tradesmen are commuting from further and further away, or leaving altogether. If we want to preserve the New Hampshire way of life, we need to make it possible for people to actually live here.

HB 577 is a bold step forward. It respects property rights, supports economic mobility, and delivers on the will of the people. It’s also the result of months of thoughtful, bipartisan work by the Housing Committee, which has spent countless hours listening to stakeholders, reviewing data, and crafting practical, flexible, and thoughtful legislation.

This bill isn’t just about zoning—it’s about affordability, sustainability, and keeping our communities strong. And it’s one more example of House Republicans delivering on our campaign promises.

The work continues — but HB 577 is proof that when we say we’ll get things done, we mean it.

State Rep. Julie Miles, Housing Committee, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee
New Hampshire House of Representatives