Building Safety in Manchester, NH

If you live in Manchester or are thinking about moving there, building safety are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Manchester has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building safety, and some of them might surprise you.

Lead Paint

Manchester's Housing Code requires every dwelling surface be free of loose or flaking paint, and any newly applied paint must meet federal lead-safety standards, under Code of Ordinances § 150.069.

Key details: Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 150.069. Core rule: no loose or flaking paint allowed. Paint-removal notice: 3 days to Health Dept, § 91.21. First-offense fine: $50 within 7 days. Oversight body: Lead Exposure Prevention Commission (2023).

Loose or flaking paint violates Housing Code § 150.069; abrasive removal without prior lead testing and three-day notice violates § 91.21. Default fine: $50 first offense (within 7 days), $100 second, $200 third, doubling if unpaid.

Building Inspections

Before Manchester issues a certificate of compliance for rental property, the Department inspects the premises and either issues the certificate or a violation notice with a correction deadline. Inspection fees run $50 per dwelling unit, with reinspections escalating from free to $50 and up.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 150.104. Application fee: $25 per dwelling or rooming unit. Inspection fee: $50 per dwelling unit ($25 per room). First reinspection: no charge. Certificate term: 3 years.

Renting or occupying property without a valid certificate of compliance, interim rental permit, or transfer permit violates § 150.100 and is enforced under § 150.999's general schedule via § 38.06(B): $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $200 for a third, doubling if unpaid within seven days. If a reinspection under § 150.105 still shows violations, the Department may revoke the owner's interim rental permit in addition to any citation.

Electrical Permits

Manchester's housing code requires every dwelling unit's electrical service, outlets and fixtures to be installed and maintained under the city's electrical code, with set minimum outlet counts per room. A separate procedure resolves tenant complaints about crosswired units.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 150.086. Habitable room outlets: at least 2 required. Kitchen outlets: at least 3 wall outlets required. Crosswiring inspection: tenant-paid, 5 days' notice to owner. Extension cords: cannot substitute for required wiring.

A violation is enforced under the chapter's general schedule in § 38.06(B), since § 150.086 carries no dedicated citation amount: $50 for a first offense if paid within seven days, $100 for a second, and $200 for a third, each doubling if unpaid within that window. Each day an unresolved crosswiring or outlet violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 150.999.

Door Locking Hardware

Manchester's housing code requires every dwelling unit's entrance doors to have functioning locking devices in good repair, while every exitway door must open from the inside without a key. The standard applies to all rental and owner-occupied dwellings citywide.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 150.042. Requires: functioning locking device on every entrance door. Exitway doors: must open from inside without a key. Applies to: all dwelling units, rental and owner-occupied. First offense fine: $50 (§ 38.06(B) catch-all).

A violation is enforced through the Department of Planning and Community Development's notice-of-violation process under § 150.142, with correction ordered under § 150.140. Because § 150.042 has no dedicated citation table entry, the general schedule in § 38.06(B) applies: $50 for a first offense if paid within seven days ($100 after), $100 for a second ($200 after), and $200 for a third offense ($400 after), and each day the violation continues is a separate offense under § 150.999.

Childcare Center Rules

Manchester requires a City Health Department inspection before a day care can get its state license, with a $30 or $50 fee depending on size.

Key details: Family day care fee: $30 (6 or fewer children). Day care center fee: $50 (more than 6 children). Fee exemption: Class III food permit holders. State rules referenced: NH He-C 4000. Enforcing agency: Manchester Health Department.

Operating without the required Health Department inspection or without complying with He-C 4000 licensing rules can block or jeopardize state licensure; fee due at time inspection is requested.

Building Permits

Manchester adopts the NH State Building Code, plus its own local amendments, as the "Building Code of the City of Manchester," issues building permits under RSA 676:12, and enforces through the Planning and Community Development Department's Building Regulations Division.

Key details: Governing code: State Building Code + local amendments. Permit authority: RSA 676:12, adopted locally. Enforcing office: Planning & Community Development / Inspector of Buildings. Local amendments adopted: Ordinance passed 7-6-21.

Chapter 151 offenses without a specific penalty draw a fine up to the statutory cap under RSA 47:17 (Code § 151.99); each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Manchester's building safety 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 Manchester is broadly strict or permissive.

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