Zoning districts

The districts, their abbreviations and common names as used herein shall be designated as follows:

2.1.1. Residential district, RE-2. The purpose of the RE-2 zone is to provide adequate land suitable for residential development. More importantly, the density permitted in this district would maintain an adequate water supply and suitable soil for individual septic disposal systems.

2.1.2. Rural district, RU-3. The purpose of the RE-3 zone is to provide adequate land suitable for low density residential rural development blended with forestry, farming and recreational activities.

2.1.3. Rural district, RU-4. The purpose of the RU-4 zone is to protect land now used for forestry, farming and related activities and the natural habitat and wildlife and to preserve the area's rural character. This zone provides land suitable for low density residential development and reserves land for future farming, forestry, conservation practices and recreational uses.

2.1.4 Conservation/recreation, CR-5. The CR-5 zone is established as a separate district to preserve and protect an area abundant with natural resources, landscapes and sensitive soils having severe limitations, and to provide for a natural mixture of residential and recreational uses.

2.1.5. Business district, B. The purpose of the B zone is to provide areas for business that serve the day-to-day needs of the residential population of the community. Also, its purpose is to provide areas for commercial activities to serve the needs of the entire community and the contiguous regions. Any use not specifically listed as a permitted use is prohibited. Each business must contain, within its own lot, the wellhead protection for the well supplying all its water.

2.1.6. Light business/residential district, LB/R. The purpose of the LB/R zone is to allow the development of low-density commercial uses including residences, home occupations and light business uses, and to provide a buffer to the existing general business uses that exist. All uses are subject to land development plan approval.

2.1.7. Light industrial district, LI. The purpose of the LI zone is to provide areas for the future development of light industrial and allied uses and to provide for existing uses of this nature. Areas so designated are considered to be geographically and topographically suitable for the future economic growth of the community. All uses shall strictly comply with the established maximum building capacity of 250 persons. Each industry must contain, within its own lot, the wellhead protection for the well supplying all its water. All uses in this district require approval as a major land development.

2.1.8. Open space and public land, OSPL. The purpose of the OSPL zone is to identify state lands and other lands held for recreation, conservation and public access purposes and to afford future protection against the conversion of these lands to another use inconsistent with that now in existence. Other lands that are purchased or controlled in the town in the future may be added to this category.

2.1.9. Groundwater protection overlay district, GWOL. The purpose of the GWOL zone is to preserve, protect and maintain the quality and quantity of groundwater supply and groundwater recharge areas of the Town of Exeter. This groundwater is the primary existing and future water supply source for the town. The groundwater reservoirs that underlie Exeter are unique and valuable resources that are vulnerable to contamination due to their unconfined condition, closeness to the ground surface, and the permeability of the overlying soils. It is the intent of this overlay district to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

2.1.10 Planned districts. The purpose of this [planned districts] zone is to provide control for the future business and industry, and special sites including the Ladd Center and Dorset Mill. Included in this [planned districts] zone are village center districts, planned business and light industrial development districts. An additional purpose of this [planned districts] zone is to foster development given the unique nature of these zones as sites for future mixed use development and sensitive environmental constraints. Any proposed use in this zone shall require a special use permit and approval as a major land development.

2.1.11 Planned village overlay district. The purpose of the PVOD district is to implement the vision for Exeter by allowing for planned village development (PVD) in designated areas. Development in this district shall be designed and built in a manner that is compact, pedestrian friendly, and consistent with the rural setting of Exeter. Development within these districts may include a mix of uses conducive to a vibrant traditional New England village setting and architectural techniques shall reflect the historic patterns that help to define Exeter's community character. These districts shall allow for densities in commercial and residential development that are allowed in no other district and shall therefore require the transfer of development rights to leverage an increased density. The town may also allow increased density as part of its own municipal subsidy toward the provision of deed restricted affordable housing.

(Ord. of 9-27-12, Exh. 1; Ord. of 12-4-2023(1))