Land Use Plans

The 1974 Town Comprehensive Plan defined constraints to the future development of Exeter which continues to be used in the more recent 1994 Plan. The updated plan states, "goals of natural resource preservation, controlled growth, preservation of the town's rural and historic character and the prevention of strip development are still applicable today, some eighteen years later."

In order to maintain it's rural character and high quality drinking water, the Exeter's 1994 Comprehensive Plan made it possible for Exeter to adopt new zoning districts and land development regulations that direct nonresidential and high-density residential development in areas outside of the sole source aquifer reservoirs while also maintaining the need for open space, or "greenbelts," within the developed areas. Further recommendations by the Comprehensive Plan on Land Use can be viewed here. A, "Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning," can be found here.

• Planned Districts including Village Center Districts, Business and Light Industrial Development Districts and Rural Residential Compounds were established to promote land development projects that provide plans for mixed land uses especially the conservation of open space. (This district is located at the former Ladd school and Dorset Mill properties and at the town's southern border off Route 2.)
• Light Business/Residential District also encourages mixed uses with a strong emphasis on open space, or "greenbelts." (This district is located along small portions of Nooseneck and South roads.)
• Conservation/Recreation (CR-5 acre) district was established to have low-density residential areas mixing naturally with recreational uses on the remaining buildable land overlying the three groundwater aquifers of Exeter, as well as all other buildable lands in western Exeter.
• Open Space and Public Lands District was established to identify state lands and other lands held for recreation, conservation and public access purposes in order to afford the future protection of such land and promote the use of such a district for additional lands to be protected. (This district occupies the majority of land overlying the Wood aquifer, as well as approximately half of the land overlying the Queens aquifer.)
• Groundwater Protection Overlay District was created to encompass the groundwater recharge areas throughout the town so as to require higher standards for land development occurring in this district. The land use restrictions can be viewed here.

Other recommended Zoning Districts:

• Prime Farmlands District
• Historic Resource Overlay District
• High Water Table Overlay District
• Steep Slope District

For a full description of Exeter's current zoning districts, click here.