N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A: § 48-A:1
Definitions.
Operative Text
The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this chapter, shall have the following respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: I. "Municipality" shall mean any city or town in this state. II. "Governing body" shall mean, in a city, that governing body which is designated as such by the charter of the particular city; in a town, the town meeting. III. "Dwelling" shall mean any building, structure, trailer, mobil-home or camp or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used and includes any appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith. IV. "Public agency" shall be a board, department, officer, or employee of a municipality, designated by ordinance, code or bylaw to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred upon it by this chapter. V. "Vacation rental" or "short-term rental" means any individually or collectively owned single-family house or dwelling unit or any unit or group of units in a condominium, cooperative, or timeshare, or owner occupied residential home, that is offered for a fee and for less than 30 consecutive days. For purposes of this chapter, vacation rental and short-term rental are residential uses of the property and do not include a unit that is used for any nonresidential use, including retail, restaurant, banquet space, event center, or another similar use.
Section 48-A:1 of New Hampshire's housing code establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 48-A. It defines key terms such as 'dwelling,' 'municipality,' 'governing body,' 'public agency,' and 'vacation rental' or 'short-term rental,' ensuring these words carry consistent meanings whenever they appear in the chapter. Notably, the provision clarifies that short-term rentals offered for fewer than 30 consecutive days are treated as residential uses, not commercial ones, unless the space is used for purposes like retail or restaurant operations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Hampshire's Chapter 48-A should be familiar with the definitions established in § 48-A:1, as these terms set the scope of the entire chapter's requirements. The definition of 'dwelling' is broad, encompassing not just traditional buildings but also trailers, mobile homes, and camps used for human habitation. Operators of short-term or vacation rentals should note that § 48-A:1 classifies such rentals as residential uses, provided they are not converted to nonresidential purposes like event venues or retail spaces.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in a wide range of housing types—including mobile homes and camps—may find that their residence qualifies as a 'dwelling' under § 48-A:1, bringing it within the protections and requirements of Chapter 48-A. The definition section also clarifies that short-term rental units used residentially fall under this chapter's framework. Tenants who have questions about whether their housing situation is covered by Chapter 48-A may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or a local public agency designated under § 48-A:1 to administer the chapter.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 20, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation