About Land Use Boards
One way to become involved in shaping the growth of your community is to volunteer to serve on a local land use board or commission. Local land use boards, which include Planning Boards and Zoning Boards, are the entities in charge of creating and implementing development and the land use goals of your community.
The art of planning is based on a community approach for future development and land use. Specifically, planning is defined as “the legal, decision making process in which communities’ goals and objectives for deciding future uses of land are established through regulations and planning principles.” Planners and planning boards are the first step in organizing and preparing for growth by creating and implementing land use regulations as well as guiding documents such as a Master Plan. Land use regulations include but are not limited to the Zoning Ordinance, Site Plan and Subdivision regulations.
If you are interested in being involved in the decisions regarding the location and “look” of development in your community and to become a part of creating the regulations that specify what land uses and development can be located in your community, then joining the Planning Board may be for you.
What type of land use boards are there?
Land use boards are typically divided into three distinct functions, as outlined below.
To learn more about becoming a local land use board member, reach out to NowWhatNH! We will help you understand how to approach your local community, either your city or town hall, to learn more about the process to become a volunteer.
Other helpful resources:
