Nashua, NH Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Nashua's exotic-pet framework operates primarily through the state Fish & Game Department's wildlife-possession rules rather than a Nashua-specific permit system. (1) NASHUA CODE - NRO Chapter 93 (Animals) regulates dogs, cats, ferrets, chickens, and traditional livestock by reference but does not establish a Nashua-specific exotic-animal permit office. Nashua relies on state rules for the bulk of exotic-pet regulation. (2) STATE FRAMEWORK - NH Code of Administrative Rules Fis 800 series (Possession of Wildlife), promulgated by the NH Fish and Game Department under authority of RSA Chapter 207 (Fish and Game General Provisions) and RSA Chapter 212 (Possession and Liberation of Wildlife), governs possession of native and non-native wildlife in New Hampshire. Fis 803 categorizes species into Controlled (permit required), Restricted (no private permit), and Unregulated (no permit needed). Fis 804 enumerates species for which private possession permits are NOT issued: most native NH wildlife (deer, moose, bear, bobcat, fisher, raccoon, skunk, fox, beaver, otter), big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, jaguars, cheetahs), bears (all species), non-human primates, wolves and wolf hybrids, venomous reptiles, crocodilians, and other potentially dangerous species. (3) PERMITTED SPECIES - common companion species are generally exempt from the Fis 800 permit framework, including: domestic ferrets (Mustela furo - regulated under NRO Ch. 93 as ordinary pets), domestic rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, sugar gliders, hedgehogs (subject to state rules), parrots and other captive-bred birds (subject to Migratory Bird Treaty Act for native species), non-venomous and non-giant pet snakes (ball pythons, corn snakes, king snakes), bearded dragons, leopard geckos, geckos generally, tortoises (subject to CITES), and aquarium fish. (4) STATE PERMIT PROCESS - for Controlled species, Fis 803 requires application to NH Fish and Game's Wildlife Division, demonstration of adequate caging and humane husbandry, and an annual permit fee. (5) FEDERAL OVERLAY - federal Endangered Species Act, Lacey Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and CITES all overlay state law and may prohibit possession or interstate transport of specific species regardless of NH rules. The federal BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT OF 2022 prohibits private possession of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, and any hybrid of these species nationwide (with narrow grandfathering and AZA-licensed exemptions). (6) USDA AWA LICENSING - commercial exotic-animal exhibitors are subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act regardless of state or city rules. (7) RABIES VECTOR SPECIES - NH treats raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats as rabies vector species; private possession is prohibited and bites trigger Public Health rabies protocols under RSA 141-C. (8) WOLF HYBRIDS - NH does not categorically ban wolf-dog hybrids but treats them under the general dog-control and conduct-based dangerous-dog framework. (9) NASHUA NUISANCE - NRO § 93-3's 45-foot animal-structure setback applies to any exotic-animal enclosure. (10) ENFORCEMENT - NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers enforce Fis 800 rules statewide; Nashua Police Department Animal Control Unit handles routine animal complaints and coordinates with NH Fish and Game on wildlife and exotic-species issues. (11) LIABILITY - the owner of an exotic animal in NH is strictly liable for injury caused by the animal under general NH tort principles, and may face Class A misdemeanor or felony charges under RSA 644:8 (Cruelty to Animals) or RSA 207-related wildlife statutes if husbandry is inadequate.