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1. Do I need Site Plan Approval if I want to change my use from a residence to a commercial use in a commercial zone, and have existing buildings and parking?

Property owners who wish to change the use on their property from single family residential to a non-residential or multi-family residential use in a commercial zone need to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy to determine if a Site Plan Approval from the Planning Board is required, even if they are not making improvements to the site or constructing new buildings.

To determine the requirements for this review, please contact the Land Use Department at 603-476-2347 to schedule an initial consultation with the Town Planner.

2. Where can I find a survey of my land?

If a survey was done recently on your property, it should be on record at the Carroll County Registry of Deeds. If there is no survey on record you may view your lot on the tax assessing maps at the following link Tax and GIS Maps. These maps are not surveys and are for assessing purposes only.

For help with any of these questions, call the Land Use Department at 603-476-2347 or visit the Land Use Department, Monday through Friday, 7:30  to 4 pm.

3. How do I obtain a copy of the Zoning Ordinance?

A copy of the Zoning Ordinance can be obtained at the Town Office for $5 or it can be downloaded from the Land Use Department page.

4. What do I do if I wish to develop my property for a non-residential use or a multi-family development?

Property owners who wish to develop their property for non-residential or multi-family residential use should contact the Land Use Department at 603-476-2347 to schedule an initial consultation with the Town Planner. It is strongly recommended that property owners retain a professional surveying/engineering firm to assist with site plan and application preparation. After the initial consult, and following the property owner’s surveyor/engineer preparation of an approximately 60% design site plan using the Town’s Site Plan Review Regulations and Zoning Ordinance, a Technical Review Committee (TRC) meeting must be scheduled through the Land Use Department in order for Town Staff to review the plan for technical compliance and staff concerns. This step is necessary for efficiency and expediency as it reduces review time before the Planning Board and allows the Board to move on from the small details of technical requirements so they may focus on more important planning issues with each application. All development proposals must follow this TRC review step before coming before the Board.

5. How do I obtain a Subdivision Approval?

A Subdivision Approval from the Planning Board is necessary for any changes in Boundary lines or the creation of new lots of record. For more information on the Subdivision Approval process, contact the Land Use Department at 603-476-2347.  

6. Is my lot subdividable?

Subdividing Your Property or Moving Your Lot Line

Property owners in Moultonborough, seeking to subdivide a parcel of land, or adjust the property boundaries, need to apply to the Planning Board and must meet the requirements of the Town Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.

A merger of two or more abutting lots owned by the same property owner is called a "Voluntary Merger". This is the simplest possible property change and can be done with no outside assistance, but still needs Planning Board approval, and recording of a merger document at the Registry of Deeds.

Property owners may change the boundary line between two parcels of land, either parcels in the same name, or parcels held by different connecting owners. If one or both of the lots is "nonconforming" (i.e., does not meet current zoning requirements), the boundary can not be changed  in a way that makes a nonconforming lot more nonconforming, or makes a conforming lot non-conforming. For clarification, contact the Land Use Department at 476-2347. This will require the assistance of a licensed NH surveyor.

If you are thinking about subdividing, please call the Land Use Department for guidance at 476-2347. The Town Planner will work with you to subdivide in a manner that offers the greatest protection for your interests, the natural enironment and water quality.

Property owners who wish to subdivide a lot into two or three lots, which may not be further subdivided, can apply for a “Minor” subdivision. This will require the assistance of a licensed NH surveyor. If the property has been recently subdivided, this may limit the use of a Minor Subdivision.

Property owners who wish to be able to subdivide in the future, or those who wish to create three (3) or more lots, and/or need to construct roads and drainage improvements, need to apply for a "Major Subdivision." As the name suggests, this is more complicated and requires more information than a Minor Subdivision. This will require the assistance of a licensed NH surveyor and probably additional professionals, such as engineers.

7. Is my lot located in a flood zone?

Town of Moultonborough personnel are not authorized or responsible to determine if your lot is located in a flood zone. Flood plain information is not given over the phone. You can go view the flood plain maps in the Land Use Department, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4 pm or view the PDF files on the Planning Board Web Page by clicking the FEMA Flood Zone Maps link.

Finally, you may go to the Town website, click on the Tax & GIS Maps link and turn on the Flood Plan Map Layer once you have located your property.

8. How do I Apply/Appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment?

There are four items that can go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment; An Appeal from Administrative Decision, a Special Exception, a Variance or an Equitable Waiver of Dimensional Requirement. A complete Zoning Board of Adjustment application needs to be submitted to the Land Use Department by 11:30 am on the deadline date. The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets on the First and Third Wednesdays of the Month. The application must include the appropriate fees and abutter’s list. You can put together an abutter’s list at the Moultonborough Town Hall. For further information, please contact the Land Use Department at 603-476-2347. We will be happy to help you through the process.

9. What is the definition of an abutter?

~~~ RSA 672:3 Abutter. – "Abutter'' means any person whose property is located in New Hampshire and adjoins or is directly across the street or stream from the land under consideration by the local land use board. For purposes of receiving testimony only, and not for purposes of notification, the term "abutter'' shall include any person who is able to demonstrate that his land will be directly affected by the proposal under consideration. For purposes of receipt of notification by a municipality of a local land use board hearing, in the case of an abutting property being under a condominium or other collective form of ownership, the term abutter means the officers of the collective or association, as defined in RSA 356-B:3, XXIII. For purposes of receipt of notification by a municipality of a local land use board hearing, in the case of an abutting property being under a manufactured housing park form of ownership as defined in RSA 205-A:1, II, the term "abutter'' includes the manufactured housing park owner and the tenants who own manufactured housing which adjoins or is directly across the street or stream from the land under consideration by the local land use board.

10. Who gets notified?

Any property that adjoins or is directly across the street or stream from the land under consideration by the local land use board.

11. How do I obtain a sign permit?

Submit a sign permit application to the Code Enforcement Officer at the Moultonborough Town Hall. If approved there is a fee of $20 for each temporary sign and $25 for each permanent sign. View the Town of Moultonborough Sign Ordinance (PDF), see Article V.