N.H. Rev. Stat. § 265:63 — NH Code / Title XXI / Chapter 265 / Section 63
265:63 Alteration of Limits.
Status: in_force

I. Whenever local authorities in their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering or traffic investigation that the prima facie speed permitted under this chapter is greater or less than is reasonable and safe under the conditions found to exist upon a way or part of a way, the local authority may determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima facie limit thereon which: (a) Decreases the limit at intersections; (b) Increases the limit within an urban district but not to more than 60 miles per hour; (c) Decreases the limit outside an urban district but not to less than 25 miles per hour; or (d) Decreases the limit within any business or urban residence district but not to less than 25 miles per hour. II. Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shall determine by an engineering or traffic investigation the proper prima facie speed for all arterial streets and shall declare a reasonable and safe prima facie limit thereon which may be greater or less than the prima facie speed permitted hereunder for an urban district. II-a. Local authorities shall not be required to hire outside consultants to determine the proper prima facie speed limits as provided in paragraphs I and II if the local community has sufficient staff to conduct the required engineering or traffic investigation. III. Any altered limit established as hereinabove authorized shall be effective at all times or during hours of darkness or at other times as may be determined when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon such street or way. IV. Any alteration of limits on state highways or extensions thereof in a municipality by local authorities shall not be effective until such alteration has been approved by the commissioner of transportation. V. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, local authorities shall modify the speed limits authorized herein so that said speed limits shall not exceed the temporary prima facie speed limits established for the state highway system under RSA 265:62, II, so long as the same are in effect. VI. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I and RSA 265:60, II, or any other law to the contrary, the governing body of a municipality, or its designee, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, may act on its own, or in response to a petition of at least 10 residents of that municipality, to reduce any prima facie speed limit to provide reasonable and safe conditions upon any part of the municipal highway system that is seasonally congested by pedestrian or bicycle traffic. (b) The resident petition submitted to the governing body of the municipality, or its designee, for the municipality's assessment of a seasonal speed limit request shall designate the area of the highway system to be affected and the reasons for the reduction in the speed limit request. The municipality, or designee, may recommend a seasonal decrease in the posted prima facie speed limit based upon an assessment in response to a resident petition, and upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation. (c) There shall be only one seasonal speed limit permitted, but in no case shall the seasonal speed limit be less than 20 miles per hour, or exceed a maximum duration of 4 months, in any 12-month period. (d) A municipality may specify the time of day when the reduced seasonal speed limit would be in effect. (e) A municipality, or designee, approving a seasonal speed limit shall bear the cost of signage. The design, construction, and installation of any seasonal signage shall be approved by the commissioner of the department of transportation.