Nashua, NH Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 190-16I, Table 16-3
- Height measured by
- IBC Chapter 5 standard
- Exempt features
- chimneys, spires, antennas, rooftop equipment
- Industrial height bonus
- 120 ft, 8 stories (PI/TOD/HB)
- Enforcement
- Administrative Officer under RSA 676
Summary
Nashua's zoning ordinance caps building height under § 190-16I, measured per the International Building Code; the exact maximum for each residential district, R-40 through R-C, is set in the Dimensional Matrix at Table 16-3, not one citywide number.
In Park Industrial (PI), Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Highway Business (HB) Zones, the maximum height permitted is increased to 120 feet and the maximum number of stories permitted is increased to eight, where the building is at least 400 feet from the nearest R-B or R-C Zone, and at least 1,000 feet from the nearest R-A, R-9, R-18, R-30, or R-40 Zone.
J. Corner lots or through lots. Corner lots and through lots shall be considered to have a front yard bordering on each street line, and a side yard opposite each front yard. Where a lot fronts on two nonintersecting streets, or two intersecting streets forming an angle of 60° or less, front yards shall be provided on both streets.
K. Sight triangle.
(1) For purposes of this subsection, "sight triangle area" means the portion of a corner lot lying within a triangle area formed by measuring from the vertex of that portion of the property line adjacent to the intersecting street, to a point on each property line running from the vertex equal to 20 feet in residential zoning districts and five feet in nonresidential zoning districts, and then connecting the two points thus established with a third line.
(2) No planting, wall, fence, sign, or other obstruction to motorists' vision shall be planted, erected or maintained higher than the following distance above the adjoining street grade within a sight triangle area:
(a) Curbed streets: one foot.
(b) Uncurbed streets: 1 1/2 feet.
L.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4805762; v29 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 190-16I measures building height under Chapter 5 of the International Building Code and exempts features not intended for human occupancy, chimneys, church steeples, belfries, cupolas, antennas, and rooftop mechanical or elevator equipment covering no more than a third of the roof, from the cap entirely. The binding number for a home in R-40, R-30, R-18, R-9, R-A, R-B or R-C comes from that district's column in the Dimensional Matrix, Table 16-3, referenced throughout this section. In Park Industrial, Transit-Oriented Development and Highway Business zones, the maximum height increases to 120 feet and eight stories, but only where the building sits at least 1,000 feet from the nearest R-A, R-9, R-18, R-30 or R-40 lot.
Violations & Fines
The Administrative Officer enforces height compliance before issuing a building permit; violations are prosecuted under RSA 676:11 through 676:19, which authorize stop-work orders, fines, and injunctive relief through the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in Nashua's R-40 or R-9 district?
Do church steeples or antennas count toward the height limit?
Can buildings near residential neighborhoods exceed the base height cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashua
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