New Hampshire Regulations: Counties & Municipal Zoning Guide
Understanding where Amish tiny cabins are allowed in New Hampshire depends on both county and city regulations. New Hampshire has no single statewide tiny house law — each of the state’s 10 counties and their municipalities set their own rules on minimum square footage, foundation requirements, and where tiny homes can be placed. Many rural counties and small towns have minimal or more flexible regulations, offering greater placement options for tiny cabins. Others defer building and zoning authority to local municipalities and planning boards. In contrast, suburban and resort-area communities often enforce stricter zoning, including minimum dwelling sizes ranging from 300 to 1,000+ square feet, foundation requirements, and occupancy classifications. Some jurisdictions may also regulate seasonal cabins and tiny homes on wheels differently from permanent residential structures. Because rules vary widely by location, it’s important to verify requirements with local authorities. The guide below provides a county overview and municipal references to help you confidently plan and place your tiny cabin in New Hampshire.
Counties
Does Belknap County, New Hampshire, Allow Amish Tiny Cabins?
Yes — and accommodating for lake retreats. Belknap County (home to Laconia, plus the Lakes Region — Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. Belknap County itself doesn’t regulate ADUs — towns like Laconia, Belmont, Gilford, Meredith, and Tilton apply state requirements. Active lake tourism corridor for park model tiny home vacation rentals. Contact Belknap County / individual town zoning offices.
Resources: Belknap County, NH Government Directory
Yes — and uniquely accommodating. Carroll County (home to Ossipee, plus North Conway, Wolfeboro, Jackson, Conway, Bartlett — Mt. Washington Valley) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. **Carroll County has NO zoning ordinance** — making it among NH’s easiest counties for tiny home placement. Active White Mountains / Mt. Washington Valley tourism corridor — strong vacation rental market for park model tiny homes. Contact Carroll County Office.
Resources: Carroll County, NH Government Directory
Yes. Cheshire County (home to Keene — Keene State College, southwest NH) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. Contact Cheshire County Office.
Resources: Cheshire County, NH Government Directory
Yes — and uniquely accommodating. Coos County (NH’s northernmost county — home to Lancaster, plus Berlin, Gorham, Pittsburg — the Great North Woods region) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. **Coos County has NO zoning ordinance** — making it among NH’s easiest counties for tiny home placement. Exceptional rural flexibility — among NH’s most accommodating for off-grid placement. Contact Coos County Office.
Resources: Coos County, NH Government Directory
Yes — and uniquely accommodating. Grafton County (home to North Haverhill, plus Hanover/Dartmouth College, Lincoln, Plymouth, Franconia Notch State Park) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. **Grafton County has NO zoning ordinance** — making it among NH’s easiest counties for tiny home placement. Active White Mountains / Dartmouth tourism corridor. Contact Grafton County Office.
Resources: Grafton County, NH Government Directory
Yes — and home to New Hampshire’s two largest cities. Hillsborough County (home to Manchester — NH’s largest city, plus Nashua — NH’s second-largest) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework allowing up to **600 square feet** (excluding lofts). NOTE: Hillsborough County does NOT have a county-wide zoning ordinance — tiny house regulations depend on individual town ordinances. Manchester has a notable zoning ordinance allowing small/rentable apartments as detached dwelling units in garages or carriage houses. Contact Hillsborough County / individual town zoning offices.
Resources: Hillsborough County, NH Government Directory
Yes. Merrimack County (home to Concord — NH’s capital) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft excluding lofts). Concord treats tiny houses as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — among NH’s most accommodating cities. Contact Merrimack County / Concord Planning Division.
Resources: Merrimack County, NH Government Directory
Does Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Allow Amish Tiny Cabins?
Yes. Rockingham County (NH’s southern seacoast — home to Portsmouth, Exeter, Hampton Beach, plus Boston commuter region) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Active coastal tourism + Boston commuter housing demand. Contact Rockingham County Office.
Resources: Rockingham County, NH Government Directory
Yes. Strafford County (home to Dover, Rochester, Durham — University of New Hampshire) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. Active university region. Contact Strafford County Office.
Resources: Strafford County, NH Government Directory
Yes — and uniquely accommodating. Sullivan County (home to Newport, plus Claremont — west-central NH along the Connecticut River) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. **Sullivan County has NO zoning ordinance** — making it among NH’s easiest counties for tiny home placement. Contact Sullivan County Office.
Resources: Sullivan County, NH Government Directory
Municipalities
Bartlett (in Carroll County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Bartlett, NH
Belmont (in Belknap County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Belmont, NH
Berlin (in Coos County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Berlin, NH
Bow (in Merrimack County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Bow, NH
Brentwood (in Rockingham County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Brentwood, NH
Claremont (in Sullivan County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Claremont, NH
Yes — among New Hampshire’s most accommodating tiny home cities. Concord (Merrimack County — NH’s capital) treats tiny houses as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework (up to 600 sq ft). Contact Concord Planning Division.
Resources: Town of Concord, NH
Conway (in Carroll County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Conway, NH
Derry (in Rockingham County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Derry, NH
Yes. Dover (Strafford County — NH seacoast region) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Contact Dover Department of Planning & Community Development.
Resources: Town of Dover, NH
Yes. Durham (Strafford County — University of New Hampshire main campus) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Strong student/university ADU housing demand. Contact Durham Town Office.
Resources: Town of Durham, NH
Exeter (in Rockingham County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Exeter, NH
Franconia (in Grafton County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Franconia, NH
Gilford (in Belknap County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Gilford, NH
Goffstown (in Hillsborough County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Goffstown, NH
Gorham (in Coos County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Gorham, NH
Hampton (in Rockingham County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Hampton, NH
Yes. Hanover (Grafton County — Dartmouth College) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Grafton County has no zoning ordinance, easing tiny home placement. Active university region. Contact Hanover Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Town of Hanover, NH
Hudson (in Hillsborough County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Hudson, NH
Jackson (in Carroll County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Jackson, NH
Yes. Keene (Cheshire County — Keene State College) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Contact Keene Department of Planning & Community Development.
Resources: Town of Keene, NH
Yes. Laconia (Belknap County — heart of the Lakes Region) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Active lake tourism corridor on Lake Winnipesaukee. Contact Laconia Planning Department.
Resources: Town of Laconia, NH
Lancaster (in Coos County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Lancaster, NH
Lebanon (in Grafton County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Lebanon, NH
Lincoln (in Grafton County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Lincoln, NH
Londonderry (in Rockingham County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Londonderry, NH
Yes — among New Hampshire’s most accommodating tiny home cities. Manchester (Hillsborough County — NH’s largest city) treats tiny houses as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — Manchester has a zoning ordinance allowing residents to create small and rentable apartments as detached dwelling units in garages or carriage houses. Permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework (up to 600 sq ft). Contact Manchester Department of Planning & Community Development.
Resources: Town of Manchester, NH
Meredith (in Belknap County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Meredith, NH
Merrimack (in Hillsborough County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Merrimack, NH
Milford (in Hillsborough County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Milford, NH
Yes. Nashua (Hillsborough County — NH’s second-largest city) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Contact Nashua Department of Planning & Building Safety.
Resources: Town of Nashua, NH
Newport (in Sullivan County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Newport, NH
Yes — among New Hampshire’s most accommodating tiny home areas. North Conway (Carroll County — Mt. Washington Valley, White Mountains tourism hub) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Carroll County has no zoning ordinance, easing tiny home placement. Active vacation rental market for park model tiny homes. Contact Conway Town Office.
Resources: Town of North Conway, NH
North Haverhill (in Grafton County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of North Haverhill, NH
Ossipee (in Carroll County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Ossipee, NH
Pittsburg (in Coos County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Pittsburg, NH
Plymouth (in Grafton County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Plymouth, NH
Yes. Portsmouth (Rockingham County — historic seacoast city) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q (up to 600 sq ft). Active coastal tourism. Contact Portsmouth Planning Department.
Resources: Town of Portsmouth, NH
Rochester (in Strafford County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Rochester, NH
Salem (in Rockingham County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Salem, NH
Tilton (in Belknap County) permits tiny homes under New Hampshire’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q framework — up to **600 sq ft** (excluding lofts). NH has NO sales tax. THOWs typically restricted to RV parks/campgrounds. Contact local town office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Town of Tilton, NH
Yes. Wolfeboro (Carroll County — ‘oldest summer resort in America’ on Lake Winnipesaukee) permits tiny homes under NH’s 2021 IRC + Appendix Q. Carroll County has no zoning ordinance, easing tiny home placement. Active lake tourism. Contact Wolfeboro Town Office.
Resources: Town of Wolfeboro, NH
