What Is Current Use in New Hampshire and How Does It Affect Property Taxes?

🏡 What Is Current Use in New Hampshire and How Does It Affect Property Taxes?

If you’re buying land or a home with acreage in Plymouth, Campton, Thornton, Rumney, Dorchester, Wentworth, Holderness, or anywhere in Central NH, you’ll likely come across the term Current Use.

Current Use is one of the most important—and misunderstood—property tax programs in the state of New Hampshire. Understanding it can save landowners thousands of dollars each year.

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What Is Current Use?

Current Use is a New Hampshire tax program that reduces property taxes for owners of open space, farmland, forest land, or large undeveloped land parcels.

To qualify, a property must contain:

➡️ 10 acres or more, OR

➡️ Be actively used for certain agricultural or preservation purposes

When a property is placed in Current Use, the land is taxed based on its present use (forest, agriculture, open space) rather than its highest possible development value — dramatically lowering taxes.

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Why Does New Hampshire Offer Current Use?

The program was created to:

✔ Preserve open space

✔ Support forest & agricultural land

✔ Protect rural character

✔ Reduce pressure to develop land

✔ Provide tax relief to large landowners

Current Use is especially common in rural towns around Plymouth and throughout Central NH.

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How Much Can Current Use Reduce Your Taxes?

Current Use can drastically lower taxes depending on:

✔ Land type (forest, wetlands, farmland)

✔ Number of acres

✔ Location and soil category

✔ Whether there is any development on site

For many properties, taxes drop from thousands of dollars per year to just a few hundred dollars on the land portion.

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Does Current Use Affect the Home on the Property?

Yes.

Only the undeveloped land receives the reduced Current Use rate.

Any of the following remain taxed at full market value:

🏠 The house

🔨 Any improvements

👣 The driveway or yard area removed from Current Use

Only the acreage left in natural state receives the reduced assessment.

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What Happens If You Build on Land in Current Use?

If you remove land from Current Use to build, subdivide, or develop it, you must pay a:

🔥 Land Use Change Tax (LUCT)

This tax equals:

➡️ 10% of the market value of the land being removed from Current Use

Example:

You remove 2 acres to build → That land is valued at $80,000

You pay → $8,000 Land Use Change Tax

This is a one-time tax paid when land use changes.

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Why Current Use Matters for Buyers in Central NH

Understanding Current Use is critical because it can impact:

✔ Annual property taxes

✔ Future building potential

✔ Investment decisions

✔ Subdivision plans

✔ Long-term land value

Many buyers love Current Use for the tax savings but must know the cost of removing acreage later.

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Q&A

Q: Should I take land out of Current Use to build?

A: Yes—if you need to build, subdivide, or develop. Just be prepared for the one-time 10% Land Use Change Tax.

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About the Author

🏡 What Is a Septic Pumping Schedule and How Often Should NH Homeowners Pump?

For many homes in Plymouth, Campton, Rumney, Thornton, and rural parts of Central NH, septic systems are the norm — not the exception.

Keeping your septic system healthy starts with a regular pumping schedule.

Here’s how often NH homeowners should pump and why it matters.

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How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped in NH?

Most New Hampshire homes should pump their septic tank every:

✔ 2–3 years for average households

✔ Every year for large families or heavy water usage

✔ Every 4–5 years for seasonal/low-use properties

Tank size, number of occupants, and water usage heavily affect the schedule.

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What Happens If You Don’t Pump Frequently Enough?

Delaying septic pumping can lead to:

⚠ Backups into the home

⚠ Drainfield failure

⚠ Slow drains and gurgling

⚠ Expensive repairs ($10,000–$25,000+)

NH homes with high water tables or older systems are especially vulnerable.

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What Affects Septic Pumping Frequency?

In Central NH, factors include:

✔ Number of people in the home

✔ Tank size

✔ Age of the system

✔ Garbage disposal use

✔ Well water vs. city water (well water often increases sediment)

✔ Soil conditions and drainage

If you don’t know the last pump date, assume it’s overdue.

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Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping

Watch for:

⚠ Standing water near the tank or drainfield

⚠ Slow sinks or showers

⚠ Foul smells outdoors

⚠ Toilets bubbling when running water

⚠ Lush green grass over the drainfield

These warning signs can indicate the system is nearing failure.

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Q&A

Q: Can NH buyers request septic pumping before closing?

A: Yes — many buyers negotiate pumping or inspection during the due diligence period.

Q: Does pumping fix all septic issues?

A: No. Pumping maintains the tank, but drainfield issues often require separate repairs.

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Keywords

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Jim Johnson — Real Estate Agent

58 NH Route 25A

Wentworth, NH 03282

P: (857) 249-7392

W: www.JimJohnsonRealEstateAgent.com

Licensed New Hampshire REALTOR® with Three Hills Real Estate Services

Broker Email: info@ThreeHillsRES.com

Broker Website: www.ThreeHillsRES.com