Manchester Chapter 6 caps the number of dogs over four months old per household and treats homes exceeding the limit as kennels needing zoning approval under Chapter 410 and a state kennel license through NH RSA 466:7 if applicable.
Manchester Code Chapter 6 limits the number of dogs older than four months that may be kept at a single residence without a kennel permit; the typical threshold runs around five dogs. Households exceeding the cap must comply with kennel definitions under NH RSA 466:7, which allows the City Clerk to issue a kennel license at a flat fee covering all dogs at the property. Zoning Chapter 410 requires a special-use review if the kennel operation is commercial. Cats are not capped numerically by ordinance, although hoarding situations trigger Chapter 6 nuisance and Chapter 150 health enforcement.
Operating an unlicensed kennel or exceeding the household dog cap can result in citations, fines per dog, and orders to relocate or rehome animals through Manchester Animal Control review.
See how Manchester's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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