Animal Ordinances in Nashua, NH: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Nashua or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Nashua has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Breed Restrictions

Nashua has NO breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and other commonly restricted breeds are legal to own in Nashua without breed-specific permits, muzzles, insurance, or special enclosures. New Hampshire takes a conduct-based, individual-dog approach under RSA 466:31 (Dogs a Menace, a Nuisance or Vicious): a dog must be DECLARED dangerous by a court after a hearing based on its actual behavior - running at large, biting, chasing cars, growling, snapping - regardless of breed. NH does NOT preempt local breed-specific ordinances by statute, but Nashua has not adopted one. Private restrictions (HOAs, condo bylaws, landlord leases, homeowner insurance carriers) frequently restrict specific breeds independent of City code.

Key details: Nashua BSL: None - no breed-specific ban or permit. NH State Preemption: None - cities/towns retain BSL authority but most do not use it. Conduct Framework: NH RSA 466:31 (menace/nuisance/vicious). Strict Liability: NH RSA 466:42 - owner liable for damage. Court Orders Available: Leash, muzzle, secure confinement, or destruction.

Nashua has no breed-specific permit, registration, muzzle, insurance, or enclosure requirement that an owner can violate by breed alone. Once any dog (regardless of breed) is declared a NUISANCE, MENACE, or VICIOUS by the local district court under NH RSA 466:31 after hearing on actual conduct, the owner must comply with whatever leash, muzzle, confinement, or destruction order the court enters - violation is contempt of court and may also be a separate criminal offense. RSA 466:42 imposes STRICT LIABILITY on the owner for damage caused by the dog when not engaged in conduct provoking it. Running any dog at large (regardless of breed) violates NRO Ch. 93. Allowing animal noise that is sustained for more than 30 minutes or occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is a nuisance under NRO Ch. 93. Private restrictions (HOA, lease, insurance) that restrict specific breeds are enforceable under contract law. Field enforcement: Nashua Police Department Animal Control Unit.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Nashua gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

Livestock

NRO § 93-2 prohibits chickens, fowl, sheep, swine, horses, mules, asses, oxen, cows, and other cattle from being at large in any street, alley, or public place. The Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Chapter 190) restricts the keeping of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and goats to a limited number of zoning districts (typically rural-residential and certain low-density zones - reportedly just two zones citywide). In most Nashua residential, commercial, and mixed-use districts, livestock keeping is NOT a permitted use. Pre-existing operations may be grandfathered as legal nonconforming uses if not expanded. NRO § 93-3 also requires that any animal structure be 45+ feet from any human-occupied building.

Key details: Care/At-Large Code: NRO Ch. 93 (Animals). Zoning Code: NRO Ch. 190 (Land Use Code) - husbandry in limited zones. At-Large Rule: NRO § 93-2 - all livestock barred from public places. Structure Setback: 45 ft from human-occupied building (NRO § 93-3). Backyard Poultry Exception: Amended O-18-019 - 6 hens, 20-ft line setback.

Allowing any chicken, fowl, sheep, swine, horse, mule, ass, ox, cow, or other cattle to be at large in any street, alley, common, or public place in Nashua violates NRO § 93-2 and may result in impoundment under NRO Ch. 93. Keeping any animal in a structure (coop, stable, pen, shed) located within 45 feet of any human-occupied building, absent special permission from the Health Officer, violates NRO § 93-3. Establishing a livestock operation on a parcel where the Land Use Code (NRO Ch. 190) zoning district does not permit animal husbandry as a permitted or legal-nonconforming use is a violation enforceable by the Nashua Planning/Zoning Department with abatement orders and per-day civil penalties. Expanding or enlarging an existing legal-nonconforming livestock operation (new species, increased herd size, larger footprint, changed use) can cause loss of grandfathered status and trigger zoning enforcement. Intentional cruelty, neglect, or abandonment of livestock violates NH RSA 644:8 - a Class A misdemeanor or Class B felony depending on the conduct. Operating a substantial livestock operation in violation of NH RSA Ch. 436 disease-control rules or NH Department of Environmental Services water-quality rules carries independent state penalties. Field enforcement: Nashua Police Department Animal Control, City Health Department, and Nashua Planning Department.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Nashua actively enforces its livestock requirements.

Wildlife Feeding

Nashua does not have a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, but New Hampshire state law provides substantial controls. NH RSA 207:3-c (as amended by HB 442 in 2024) gives NH Fish & Game authority over bait and feed for wildlife and prohibits feeding that creates a public safety threat. NH Fis 307.06 (Feeding of Wild Deer) and Fis 307.07 (Feeding of Wild Bears) authorize the NH Fish & Game Department to issue written cease-and-desist orders when feeding is detrimental to deer/bear health or creates a public safety threat. Intentional bear feeding is presumptively prohibited; bird feeders are allowed but must be removed if they attract bears. The NH Department of Health under RSA 141-C also addresses rabies vector species attraction.

Key details: Nashua City Ordinance: None specific (relies on state). Primary State Statute: NH RSA 207:3-c (amended HB 442, 2024). Deer Feeding Rule: NH Fis 307.06 - cease-and-desist authority. Bear Feeding Rule: NH Fis 307.07 - intentional bear feeding presumptively prohibited. Bird Feeders: Allowed - must remove if bear documented at feeder.

Failure to comply with a written cease-and-desist order issued by NH Fish and Game's Executive Director under RSA 207:3-c, Fis 307.06 (deer feeding), or Fis 307.07 (bear attraction) is a violation enforceable by NH Conservation Officers under RSA 207:46 (penalties for fish and game law and rule violations). Intentional bear feeding is presumptively prohibited and is enforced aggressively because of bear-conflict and public-safety risk. Maintaining bird feeders, garbage, pet food, or barbecue residue that attracts bears once the Department has issued written warning is a violation. Feeding raccoons, skunks, foxes, or bats - the major NH rabies vector species - may trigger public health action under RSA Chapter 141-C in addition to wildlife rules. Feeding wild deer to the detriment of herd health or public safety after written cease-and-desist may be prosecuted. Nashua may also cite attractant-related nuisance conditions under its general nuisance and sanitation framework. Field enforcement: NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers (Operation Game Thief hotline 1-800-344-4262) and Nashua Police Department.

Beekeeping

Nashua's NRO Chapter 93 (Animals) does not contain a beekeeping-specific section, and the Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Ch. 190) does not impose a hive-specific setback or permit on backyard apiaries. Beekeeping is generally allowed as an accessory residential activity subject to NRO § 93-3 (no animal structure within 45 feet of a human-occupied building absent Health Officer permission) and the general nuisance framework. New Hampshire's apiary inspection and disease-control framework runs through NH RSA Chapter 429 (administered by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food); state apiary registration is voluntary, but the Department maintains an Apiary Inspection Program and registers commercial apiaries.

Key details: Nashua Apiary Ordinance: None city-specific. Hive Setback (Bee-Specific): None codified. Animal-Structure Setback: 45 ft from human-occupied building (NRO § 93-3). State Framework: NH RSA Ch. 429 - Bee Industry Regulation. State Agency: NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food - Plant Industry Division.

Nashua has no beekeeping-specific permit, registration, or setback to violate. Keeping a substantial bee yard (multiple hives, beekeeper house, extraction shed) within 45 feet of any human-occupied building without special permission from the Health Officer arguably violates NRO § 93-3. Operating an apiary in a manner that creates a public or private nuisance - chronically aggressive colonies, swarms in residential areas, foragers monopolizing neighbor pools or water features, or unsanitary conditions around hives - is enforceable under NRO Ch. 93 and the City's general nuisance framework. NH RSA Chapter 429 (administered by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, Division of Plant Industry) authorizes the State Apiarist to inspect, treat, quarantine, or destroy colonies infected with foulbrood or other contagious bee diseases; failure to comply with a State Apiarist order is a state law violation. Voluntary state apiary registration is strongly encouraged but not legally required for hobbyist beekeepers.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Nashua gives residents more flexibility on beekeeping.

Exotic Pets

Nashua's NRO Chapter 93 does not contain a comprehensive exotic-pet permit framework; the City defers primarily to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department's wildlife-possession rules in NH Code of Administrative Rules Fis 800 (Possession of Wildlife). NH Fis 804 prohibits private possession of most native wildlife and many non-native exotic species without a permit. Categorically prohibited (no private possession permits issued) include big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, cougars), bears, wolves and wolf hybrids, non-human primates, venomous reptiles, and most other potentially dangerous species. Common companion species (ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, parrots, non-venomous pet snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos) are generally allowed without state permit.

Key details: Nashua Exotic Permit System: None city-specific (defers to state). Governing Code (State): NH Code of Admin. Rules Fis 800 - Possession of Wildlife. Categorically Prohibited: Big cats, bears, wolves/hybrids, primates, venomous reptiles, NH natives. Companion Species OK: Ferrets, hamsters, sugar gliders, ball pythons, bearded dragons, parrots. Permit Authority: NH Fish & Game - Wildlife Division.

Possessing any species listed as 'Restricted' under NH Fis 804 (most native NH wildlife, big cats, bears, non-human primates, wolves and wolf hybrids, venomous reptiles, crocodilians) without authorization is a violation of NH Fish and Game rules enforceable by Conservation Officers and prosecutable under NH RSA Chapter 207. Possessing a 'Controlled' species under Fis 803 without an annual permit from NH Fish and Game is also a violation. Privately owning a big cat (lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, cougar) in violation of the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 is a federal offense regardless of state or local rules. Possessing a rabies vector species (raccoon, skunk, fox, bat) violates NH public health rules under RSA 141-C and Fis 800. Keeping any animal in a structure within 45 feet of a human-occupied building without special Health Officer permission violates NRO § 93-3. Cruelty, neglect, or inadequate husbandry of an exotic animal may be prosecuted under NH RSA 644:8 (Cruelty to Animals) as a misdemeanor or Class B felony depending on the conduct. Field enforcement: NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers (statewide), Nashua Police Department Animal Control Unit (local coordination).

This is one of the stricter rules in Nashua's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Chickens & Livestock

Nashua amended its Backyard Poultry rules by Ordinance O-18-019 to allow up to six (6) adult female chickens (hens) per residential lot. Roosters and other crowing male chickens are PROHIBITED. Chickens must be kept in the side or rear yard, at least 20 feet from any property line, in a roofed, fully enclosed coop that protects the birds from weather, rodents, and wild and domestic animals. A permit is required from the City, the sale of eggs is prohibited, and NRO Chapter 93 (Animals) bars any chicken or fowl from going at large in any street, alley, or public place. Larger livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, swine) are restricted by Nashua's Land Use Code (NRO Ch. 190) to limited rural/agricultural zones.

Key details: Authorizing Ordinance: Amended O-18-019 (Backyard Poultry). Animal Code: NRO Ch. 93 (Animals) - eCode360. Flock Cap: 6 adult female hens per lot. Roosters: PROHIBITED city-wide. Yard Placement: Side or rear yard only.

Keeping more than six (6) adult female chickens on a Nashua residential lot, keeping ANY rooster or crowing male chicken, locating a coop in the front yard, or locating a coop within 20 feet of any property line is a violation of Nashua's backyard poultry ordinance (Amended O-18-019) and is enforceable by the Nashua Police Department Animal Control Unit and City Code Enforcement. Selling backyard-flock eggs is independently prohibited. Keeping chickens in an unsanitary manner that presents an imminent hazard to public health violates NRO Chapter 93. Allowing any chicken, fowl, or livestock to be at large in a street, alley, or public place violates NRO § 93-2; chickens at large may be impounded and disposed of after seven (7) days if not claimed. Keeping a coop, stable, or pen within 45 feet of any human-occupied building without special permission from the Health Officer violates NRO § 93-3. Keeping horses, cattle, sheep, swine, or goats outside the limited Land Use Code zones that permit animal husbandry violates NRO Ch. 190 and is enforceable by the Nashua Planning/Zoning Department with abatement orders.

Dog Leash Laws

NRO Chapter 93 (Animals), as amended by Ordinance O-19-052, makes it unlawful for any dog to run at large within the City of Nashua. 'At large' means off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under leash or other physical restraint, except within the fenced area of an off-leash dog park approved by the City and Animal Control Officer (ACO). All dogs kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners must be licensed annually as provided in NH RSA 466, with a Nashua local surcharge of $1 added to the state license fee under RSA 466:39. Current rabies vaccination is a licensing prerequisite. Dog owners must carry the means to remove feces when accompanying dogs on private property not their own.

Key details: Governing Code: NRO Ch. 93 (amended by O-19-052). Off-Premises Restraint: Leash/physical restraint required (except in approved off-leash dog parks). Licensing: Annual - NH RSA 466:4 fee + $1 local (RSA 466:39). License Deadline: April 30 each year (RSA 466:1). Rabies: Current vaccination required (RSA 466:1-c) - also redemption prerequisite.

Allowing a dog to run at large - off the owner's premises and not on a leash or other physical restraint, outside an approved fenced off-leash dog park - violates NRO Chapter 93 and is enforceable by the Nashua Police Department Animal Control Unit, with impoundment, license-fee recovery, and citation penalties. Failing to license a dog annually as required by NRO Ch. 93 and NH RSA 466 (state fee under RSA 466:4 plus $1 local surcharge under RSA 466:39) is a violation, as is failing to maintain current rabies vaccination required by RSA 466:1-c. Appearing on private property not your own without the means to remove dog feces (the Nashua 'pooper-scooper' rule) violates NRO Ch. 93 unless the property owner consents. Animal noise sustained for more than 30 minutes or occurring between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. that disturbs a person of normal sensibilities is declared a nuisance under NRO Ch. 93. An individual dog whose conduct meets the menace/nuisance/vicious standard in RSA 466:31 may be ordered restrained, muzzled, confined, or destroyed by the local court; the owner is also strictly liable for damage under RSA 466:42.

The Bottom Line

Nashua's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Nashua is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Nashua's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.