Nashua, NH Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Nashua's dog-control framework is NRO Chapter 93 (Animals), substantially amended by Ordinance O-19-052 (2019), layered on top of New Hampshire's statewide dog law in NH RSA Chapter 466 (Dogs and Cats). The leash and control rules are: (1) AT-LARGE RULE - NRO Ch. 93 makes it unlawful for any dog to run at large. 'At large' is defined as off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under leash or other physical restraint of the owner or a responsible person, UNLESS the dog is within the confines of the fenced area of an off-leash dog park approved by the City of Nashua and the Animal Control Officer (ACO). (2) LICENSING - NRO Ch. 93 requires that all dogs kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners in the City be licensed as provided in NH RSA 466. The license fee is the amount specified in RSA 466:4 (a state-set base fee that varies by sex and altered/intact status) PLUS one dollar ($1) as allowed by RSA 466:39 for the local surcharge. State law requires dogs to be licensed by April 30 of each year (RSA 466:1) and requires presentation of a current rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian as a precondition to licensing (RSA 466:1-c). (3) RABIES/VACCINATION HOLD - under NRO Ch. 93 (as amended by O-19-052), no dog, cat, or ferret shall be released or removed from confinement (impoundment) until the owner has provided proof that the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies and has paid all applicable license, board, and care fees. (4) FECES REMOVAL ('POOPER-SCOOPER') - no person who owns, possesses, or controls a dog shall appear with the dog on any private property neither owned nor occupied by that person without the means of removal of any feces left by the dog, unless the property owner or occupier agrees otherwise. The rule operates as both a public-park and a neighbor's-yard scoop requirement. (5) NOISE NUISANCE - noise from an animal that is sustained for periods of more than 30 minutes, OR which occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., that would annoy or disturb a person of normal sensibilities is declared a nuisance under NRO Ch. 93. (6) IMPOUNDMENT - dogs found at large may be impounded by the Animal Control Officer; impounded dogs are held subject to redemption upon payment of board, care, and license fees and presentation of current rabies vaccination proof. (7) STATE LAYER - RSA 466:31 (Dogs a Menace, Nuisance, or Vicious) provides the state-law procedure for declaring an individual dog a menace, nuisance, or vicious dog based on conduct (running at large, biting, chasing cars, growling, snapping); a complaint may be filed with the local court, which after hearing may order leashing, muzzling, confinement, or destruction. RSA 466:42 (Liability of Owner) makes the owner of a dog strictly liable for damage caused by the dog when not engaged in conduct provoking the dog. Field enforcement in Nashua is by the Nashua Police Department Animal Control Unit (operates from the Nashua Police Department, 28 Tinker Road, and may be reached through the non-emergency line). The Humane Society for Greater Nashua serves as the City's contracted impoundment facility under NRO Ch. 93.