Current Use Covenants

New Hampshire's Current Use Law is a system designed to encourage landowners to maintain their land as open and undeveloped spaces, like farms, forests, and natural areas. 

Typically, property taxes are calculated based on a property's market value. However, with Current Use, landowners have the option to have their land valued based on its current use, such as farming or keeping it in its natural state as a forest. This often results in lower property taxes compared to what the land could be worth if it were used for housing or commercial purposes.

Landowners who participate in the Current Use program pay reduced property taxes, which can lead to significant savings, particularly for larger parcels of land. This makes it financially more feasible for them to continue using the land for farming, forestry, or as open natural space.

The primary objective of the Current Use Covenant is to motivate landowners to maintain their land as open space instead of selling it for development. This helps in preserving the state's natural beauty, wildlife habitats, and important resources like forests and farmland.

Landowners can decide whether or not they want to be part of the Current Use program. It's not obligatory, so they can still choose to develop their land if they wish, but in that case, they would be subject to higher property taxes based on its potential for development.

You can obtain a Land Use Change Form (A-5) from your local town office, by calling the DRA at (603) 230-5950, or by visiting the DRA website.