New Hampshire’s Regional Planning Commissions

The primary role of a Regional Planning Commission (RPC) is to support local municipalities in their planning and community development responsibilities. This is done in a variety of ways such as:

  • Assisting communities in preparing local planning documents such as master plans, CIPs, natural resource inventories, open space plans and hazard mitigation plans;
  • Developing local ordinances and providing technical assistance and general guidance to local land use boards;
  • Helping to secure funding for transportation and other infrastructure projects;
  • Working with municipalities to obtain and administer state and federal grant programs; and
  • Reducing costs to municipalities through regional coordination, intermunicipal cooperation and problem solving.

Regional Planning Commissions’ Areas of Expertise

Data Management and Development
–  Geographic Information Systems
–  US Census Data Center Affiliates

Land Use, Environmental Planning, and Community Development
–  Local Master Planning, Zoning Ordinances, and Regulations
–  Environmental Planning
–  Economic Development Planning
–  Emergency Management Planning including Hazard Mitigation

Transportation Planning and Technical Assistance
–  Developing and maintaining regional Transportation Plans
–  Traffic Analysis, Transit Planning, Special Studies, and other Technical Assistance

Quick Facts about New Hampshire’s RPCs!

  • In 1968 the State legislature enabled New Hampshire municipalities to create Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs).
  • Currently over 90% of New Hampshire’s 234 municipalities are voluntary members of one of the nine RPCs.
  • Each municipality that is a member of an RPC is entitled to between 2 and 4 representatives depending on population.
  • Each of the RPCs are required by NH Statutes to carry out a variety of duties, including: create a regional Comprehensive Plan, complete a housing needs assessment, and review developments of regional impact.