Community Development

Land Development Code

City of Keene Land Development Code (Amended May 2024)

• City of Keene Zoning Map (Amended September 1, 2021)
• Comparison of Current Downtown Zoning to Zoning Prior to 9/1/21
• Land Development Code Fee Schedule

The Keene Land Development Code (LDC) is Chapter 100 of the City Code of Ordinances and contains most local regulations concerning the use and development of land and buildings. The Code includes, but is not limited to, the following regulations:

• Zoning (Articles 2-19 & Sections 26.3 – 26.9)
• Subdivision (Article 20 & Section 26.10)
• Site Plan / Site Development Standards (Article 21 & Section 26.12)
• Historic District (Article 22 & Section 26.15)
• Public Infrastructure (Article 23 & Section 26.16)
• Floodplain (Article 24 & Section 26.17)
• Earth Excavation (Article 25 & Section 26.19)

Adopted Ordinances Not Yet Codified

Please click the link(s) below to view any ordinances that have been enacted but not yet codified in the published Land Development Code. 

Ordinance O-2023-16C – Relating to Permitted Uses in the Downtown Core and Commerce Districts (adopted December 19, 2024)

Ordinance O-2023-17B – Relating to Definition of Charitable Gaming Facility (adopted December 19, 2024)

Ordinance O-2023-19A – Relating to Building Height in the Commerce District (adopted January 16, 2025)

Ordinance – O-2024-17-A – Relative to Minimum Lot Sizes in the Medium Density, High Density, and Downtown Transition Districts (adopted February 20, 2025)

Ordinance – O-2024-20-A – Relating to Residential Parking Requirements (adopted February 20, 2025)

Ordinance – O-2024-24-A – Relating to Interior Side Setback Requirements in the Downtown Edge District (adopted February 20, 2025)

Background

The Land Development Code (LDC) was adopted in May of 2021 with Ordinance 2020-10B, along with the remapping of the City’s downtown zoning districts with Ordinance 2020-11A, and became fully effective throughout Keene on September 1, 2021. The purpose and intent of the LDC is to protect, promote, and improve the public health, safety and general welfare of the City of Keene and its inhabitants, and to facilitate orderly development and the compatible use of land that will result in a strong viable economy, enhance the attractiveness of the community, preserve the quality and function of natural systems and maintain and enhance quality of life in the City of Keene, while not imposing unreasonable costs upon the City.