ZoningOrd

Town of Bridgewater, New Hampshire

Zoning Ordinance

Adopted March 31, 1983

Amended March 8, 1988

Amended March 12, 1991

Amended June 8, 1991

Amended March 14, 1995

Amended March 12, 1996

Amended March 11, 1997

Amended March 10, 1998

Amended March 9, 1999

March, 1999

An area starting on Route 3A at the northern boundary of Lot #109-15, now or formerly

Lot #105-33.1, now or formerly owned by G. Woolsey. The depth of this commercial

zone to the west shall be five hundred feet (500’). On the easterly side of Route 3A

starting at the southern boundary of Lot #108-2, now or formerly owned by Newfound

Grocery, and proceeding north with a depth of five hundred feet (500’) to the northern

An area bounded by the Plymouth town line and the Pemigewaset River and a line five

hundred feet (500’) west of and parallel to Route 3 ending again south at the Pemigewasset

Pursuant to the Authority conferred by Chapter 31, Sections 60–89, New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, 1955, as amended, in conformity with the Town of Bridgewater Comprehensive Master Plan and for the Purpose of promoting the health, safety, prosperity, convenience or general welfare of the residents of Bridgewater, by:

· and the adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements;

this Ordinance is enacted by the voters of the Town of Bridgewater, New Hampshire in official Town meeting.

This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Bridgewater."

The Town of Bridgewater is divided into the following districts as shown on the official Zoning Map:

The districts , as established, are shown on a map entitled "Town of Bridgewater, N.H. Zoning Map" and becomes a part of this ordinance. This map is on file with the Bridgewater Planning Board. (A reduced reproduction is on the preceding page.)

Unless otherwise indicated, zoning district boundaries , as shown on the "Town of Bridgewater, N.H. Zoning Map," are the center lines of highways and streets , the middle of the channel of waterways or shoreline of a water body, or the Town Boundary.

Where boundaries are so indicated that they parallel the center line of highways or streets , such boundaries shall be considered as parallel thereto and at the distance therefore as shown on the Zoning Map. The distance shall be determined by use of the scale on the map.

In any instance, where there is doubt as to the location of a zoning district boundary , the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall determine the location of such boundary, consistent with the intent of this Ordinance and the Zoning Map.

The purpose of this district is to provide for medium density development which has good access to existing Town and State roads , police, school busing and fire protection , and in keeping with the scenic , recreational and environmental values inherent in this district.

(1) Lot size: The minimum area of any lot shall be at least two (2) acres in size, depending on soil and slope conditions, as may be suitable to sustain development according to State standards.

Wetland soils and slope areas of an incline of greater than fifteen percent (15%) may not be included in the minimum lot size .

(2) Lot Coverage: The building coverage on any lot, including parking and driveway areas, shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of any lot with the open area devoted to landscaping or natural growth.

(3) Frontage : The minimum lot frontage on any street , lake or river shall be one-hundred and fifty feet (150'). Lots may, however, have less (or no) street frontage if:

(a) Said lots are provided access to a public road by a deeded private right-of-way or driveway at least fifty feet (50') in width serving not more than two (2) lots, or

(b) Said lots are located on curves , cul-de-sac or are affected by other such factors that sound planning justifies less frontage .

The primary purpose of this district is to provide for low density rural living and open space , and to protect the environmentally sensitive areas of this district, such as wetland, poor soil conditions, steep slopes and prime agricultural soils. A detailed description of these areas may be found in the Bridgewater Master Plan (1981).

(1) Lot Size: The minimum area of any lot shall be at least five (5) acres , depending on soil and slope conditions, as may be suitable to sustain development according the State standards.

Each lot shall contain within the required lot size a minimum suitable site of thirty thousand (30,000) contiguous square feet which meets current New Hampshire Water Supply and Pollution Control Division standards.

(2) Lot coverage: The building coverage on any lot including parking and driveway shall not exceed percent (15%) of any lot, with the open space area devoted to landscaping or natural growth.

(3) Frontage : The minimum lot frontage on any street shall be three hundred feet (300'). Lots may, however, have less (or no) street frontage if:

(a) Said lots are provided access to a public road by a deeded private right-of-way or driveway at least fifty feet (50') in width serving not more than two (2) lots, or

(b) Said lots are located on curves , cul-de-sac or are affected by other such factors that sound planning justifies less frontage .

The purpose of this zone is to provide an area for the location of commercial uses.

(b) Lot and frontage requirements shall be the same as those applicable in the General Residential District.

The purpose of this zone is to provide an area for the location of both commercial and industrial uses without mixing these uses in more traditional residential areas of the town.

(b) Lot and frontage requirements shall be the same as those applicable in the General Residential District

The following provisions shall apply to each district and to all uses within the Town of Bridgewater except where listed:

Any use that may be obnoxious or injurious by reason of production, emission of odor, dust, smoke, refuse matter, fumes, noise, vibration or similar conditions, or that is dangerous to the comfort, peace, enjoyment , health or safety of the community or lending to its disturbance or annoyance, is prohibited. If there is a question of quality standards, those established by the State of New Hampshire shall apply.

There shall be a minimum distance between any structure and the edge of any public highway, street or road right-of-way of thirty-five feet (35').

No structure shall be located within twenty feet (20') of any boundary of the lot on which it is located.

No structure shall exist with in fifty feet (50') of any lake, river, or the following brooks: Dick Brown, Woodman, Clay, Whittemore, Great, Fogg, Able and Tilton.

No structure , or part thereof, shall exceed thirty-five feet (35') in height as measured from the high point thereof to the average natural or graded permanent ground level at the wall of the structure nearest to and below said high point.

This provision shall not apply to television and radio antennae, lightning rods, steeples, chimneys, utility poles or parts of buildings designed exclusively for agricultural or non-residential uses.

Adequate off-street loading and parking shall be provided whenever any new use is established or any existing use is enlarged in accordance with the following specifications :

(1) All new construction of institutional, commercial or industrial uses requiring off-street loading facilities shall provide such facilities so that delivery vehicles are parked off the traveled way.

(2) All proposed new development shall provide for adequate off-street parking spaces in accordance with the following standards: A single parking space is defined as being two hundred (200) square feet in area and having additional adequate area for maneuvering.

(b) Hotel, motel, tourist accommodation or lodging unit: One (1) space for each unit.

(c) Commercial and Industrial: One (1) space for each three (3) anticipated patrons and/or employees on the premises at any one time.

(e) Public assembly — any theater, hall or auditorium: provision for at least one (1) space for each six (6) seats anticipated.

(f) Where one (1) building is used for lodging or motel accommodation with a restaurant: One (1) space for each eight (8) seats anticipated within the restaurant.

(1) This section shall regulate the standards for signs or other advertising devices. The intent is to recognize and to protect the established character, natural beauty and roadway safety of the Town of Bridgewater.

(2) All signs shall be maintained in good condition and good repair at all times. Any sign that is or becomes in disrepair in the opinion of the Selectmen shall, if not repaired within thirty (30) days, be removed upon written order of the Selectmen. Any sign that refers to a discontinued use shall be removed within thirty (30) days of written order of the Selectmen. If the owner fails to comply, the Selectmen shall have the sign removed at the expense of the owner.

(3) Each new sign , unless exempted (paragraph 11), must receive from the Selectmen or their designated agent a permit before erection. An application for a sign permit shall include site location, sign size, method of illumination, if any, and types and colors of materials to be used in construction and supporting structure .

(4) Flashing, moving, revolving or animated signs are prohibited as are “look at me” devices such as pennants and whirligigs. No stationary-vehicle or portable signs shall be permitted. Flags with no commercial message measuring no more than eight (8) square feet are specifically exempted as are incidental signs. Illuminated signs shall be shielded in such a way as to produce no glare, undue distraction, confusion or hazard to the surrounding area or to vehicular traffic .

(5) Only signs advertising a business or industry in the Town of Bridgewater shall be permitted. On-site signs shall not exceed two (2) per business or industry. Off-site directional signs shall be limited to two (2) such signs so placed within town limits.

(6) The height of any free-standing sign shall not exceed fifteen (15’) feet above the surrounding ground level. Signs that are affixed to a building shall not extend above the roof ridge of that building. A wall sign shall be limited to one (1) per property, shall not extend beyond the limits of its wall, and shall measure no more than twenty (20%) percent of the wall area to which it is affixed.

The area of all signs shall be measured within the maximum dimensions of the signs, and shall include any air space included within such dimensions. Signs shall not be attached to trees in the public right-of-way , public utility poles or structures not specifically designed for that purpose.

The maximum square footage of any on-site sign shall not be larger than fifty (50) square feet in area per side. The maximum square footage of any off-site directional sign shall not be larger than four (4) square feet in area per side.

(7) Signs advertising home occupations or businesses in all zones except the Commercial and Light Industrial Districts (a) shall be non-illuminated but otherwise conform to paragraph 4 above, (b) shall be limited to two in number, and (c) shall be displayed on the applicable property only. The total area shall not be more than nine (9) square feet per side in area for each sign .

(8) The use of temporary non-illuminated real estate signs indicating property for sale, rent or lease is permitted. These signs shall be located only on the subject property, and there shall not be more than two (2) signs per lot and each shall total not more than four (4) square feet in area per side.