N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A: § 48-A:11
Minimum Standards; Barring the Use or Occupancy; Violations and Punishment.
Operative Text
Any municipality may (by ordinance adopted by its governing body): I. Prescribe minimum standards for the use and occupancy of dwellings throughout the municipality; II. Prevent the use or occupancy of any dwelling which is injurious to the public health, safety, or welfare. III. Enact, in the sections of their housing codes dealing with infestations of insects, provisions directed at the unique problems posed by infestations of bed bugs, provided that such provisions are no less protective of the residents of dwelling units in which bed bug infestations are found than are the provisions dealing with infestations of other kinds of insects.
New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 48-A:11 grants municipalities the authority to establish local ordinances that set minimum habitability standards for dwellings, prohibit the use or occupancy of housing deemed harmful to public health, safety, or welfare, and address bed bug infestations specifically within their housing codes. Any bed bug provisions a municipality adopts must offer residents at least the same level of protection as rules covering other insect infestations. This is an enabling statute, meaning it authorizes local action rather than imposing a single statewide standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 48-A:11, property owners and managers operating in New Hampshire municipalities that have adopted housing codes must ensure their dwellings meet whatever minimum occupancy and habitability standards the local ordinance prescribes. Compliant operators generally monitor for and promptly address conditions—including bed bug infestations—that could trigger a municipal order barring use or occupancy. Because standards vary by municipality, operators typically review the specific local housing code to understand the exact requirements that apply to their properties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 48-A:11 provides the legal foundation for local housing codes that protect residents from substandard or unsafe dwelling conditions, including bed bug infestations. Tenants living in a municipality that has adopted such an ordinance may have the right to report violations to the local housing or code enforcement office, which can order corrective action or bar occupancy of a noncompliant unit. Tenants who believe their dwelling falls below the minimum standards set under this provision may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand the enforcement options available in their specific municipality.
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.
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