Build an ADU in Center Harbor.
New Hampshire's HB 577 lets you add one accessory dwelling unit on your single-family lot in Center Harbor — by-right. A detached ADU can be up to 950 sf, and ADU setbacks match your lot's single-family setbacks.
4 districts
Each district's single-family setbacks — which your ADU follows. The primary residential district is highlighted.
Verified against the official Center Harbor zoning ordinance · source · 2026-07-06
- Front
- 50 ft
- Side
- 15 ft
- Rear
- 15 ft
- Max coverage
- 30% building
- Min lot
- 40,000 sf (~0.92 ac)
Primary residential district (Sec 9:4:1); provides housing for seasonal and year-round residents, largely served by the Bay Sewer District. TOWN-WIDE setbacks apply: front 50 ft from road CENTERLINE (or 1/2 ROW width + 25 ft for wider ROWs), side 15 ft and rear 15 ft from any…
- Front
- 50 ft
- Side
- 15 ft
- Rear
- 15 ft
- Max coverage
- 30% building
- Min lot
- 40,000 sf (~0.92 ac)
Default district — all land is Agricultural and Rural (AR) unless otherwise designated on the zoning map (Sec 9:1:1). Limited agricultural, forestry, rural residential and other non-intensive uses (Sec 9:4:2); permits forestry, agriculture, greenhouses, outdoor recreation,…
- Front
- 50 ft
- Side
- 15 ft
- Rear
- 15 ft
- Max coverage
- —
- Min lot
- 40,000 sf (~0.92 ac)
Commercial and Light Industry district (Sec 9:4:3), established where commercial development has already occurred, along Route 3 north of the Meredith/Center Harbor town line (West Center Harbor area, boundaries per 9:1:2).
- Front
- 50 ft
- Side
- 15 ft
- Rear
- 15 ft
- Max coverage
- —
- Min lot
- 20,000 sf (~0.46 ac)
Commercial Village-Area district (Sec 9:4:4) — the historic downtown village; business uses serving residents, second homeowners and tourists, with emphasis on preserving historic character and scenic views (boundaries per 9:1:3).
Form-based and downtown districts may use build-to lines instead of fixed setbacks (shown as “—”); verify your parcel's district before you build.
Center Harbor ADU FAQ
Yes. Under NH RSA 674:71-73 (HB 577), one accessory dwelling unit is allowed by-right on single-family lots statewide, including Center Harbor (Belknap County). A detached ADU can be up to 950 sf.
In Center Harbor's RES zone, ADUs follow the single-family setbacks: 50 ft front, 15 ft side, and 15 ft rear. Center Harbor has 4 zoning districts in total — see the full table below. Confirm your exact zone with the town.