Blog :: 05-2023

Welcome to the North Conway Realty blog. This is where you’ll find helpful information about buying and selling real estate in North Conway and the surrounding Mount Washington Valley. We share local market updates, tips for buyers and sellers, neighborhood highlights, and insights based on real, current activity—not just headlines. Whether you’re planning a move, watching the market, or simply curious about what’s happening locally, this blog is designed to give you clear, useful information so you can make confident real estate decisions.

Please note: The information shared on this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, financial, surveying, or professional real estate advice. Real estate laws, regulations, market conditions, and property-specific details can change over time and may vary by situation. Buyers and sellers should consult with qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances.

North Conway's Construction

North Conway in Conway, New Hampshire, is experiencing a significant boom in commercial construction. Despite the town's one-year commercial moratorium on buildings over 50,000 square feet or hotels, which was approved by voters in April, ongoing projects were granted approval before the moratorium was enacted. Projects include the Ridgeline Community development, the construction of a Cambria hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, a retail complex, and the completion of a Market Basket store. Additionally, plans for a Tractor Supply Co. store, rental housing, and affordable housing projects are in the works.

The construction activity extends beyond North Conway. In Intervale, Ledge View Lodges is building 19 single-family homes, while in Jackson, the Wentworth Inn is undergoing upgrades after being purchased by Atlantic Equity Partners. Attitash Mountain Resort is replacing its summit chair with a high-speed quad for the upcoming season. The town of Conway has seen a significant increase in commercial permits, with construction costs estimated at $19,199,444 this year.

The commercial moratorium was implemented to allow the town's planning board to update the neglected master plan. The goal is to finish this process by January 2024 and subsequently update zoning ordinances. However, the moratorium has affected some projects, such as the planned revamping and expansion of the Yankee Clipper Motor Inn. Local construction experts are amazed by the current level of growth and commercial construction in the area. Residential construction is also expected to catch up, as there are still many residential permit applications being processed.

Despite the moratorium, the construction activity in Conway and the surrounding areas remains robust. The completion of ongoing projects and the approval of new ones will contribute to the town's commercial and residential development.

More details in this story from the Conway Daily Sun

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NH Supreme Court Rules that STRs are allowed in Conway by current definition

Click here to see a copy of the ruling

On Tuesday, May 2, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in favor of short-term rental owner Scott Kudrick, allowing owners to continue renting properties, at least until the town of Conway decides to regulate them. The case centered on whether non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are permitted in residential districts under the Conway Zoning Ordinance. In January 2022, a county superior court judge ruled that short-term rentals fit within the definition of "residential dwelling unit" and did not need to be owner-occupied in residential zones. The recent New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling upheld this decision, stating that the language of Conway's ordinance did not clearly address short-term rentals and that it was up to the legislature and municipal authorities, not the courts, to consider any policy concerns related to short-term rentals. The town of Conway had previously filed for a declaratory judgment against Kudrick, arguing that "living as a household" required a level of stability in occupying a residential dwelling unit, but the court disagreed. The recent town vote to change a definition central to the case is also unclear in terms of its implications for short-term rentals. The town has been moving toward regulating short-term rentals in commercial zones for several months and has approved funds to expand the building department to allow licensing of short-term rentals and inspections of property.