Business Licensing & Operations, Manchester

If you live in Manchester or are thinking about moving there, business licensing & operations 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 business licensing & operations, and some of them might surprise you.

Secondhand Dealers

Junk dealers, junk collectors, pawnbrokers, pawnshops, and secondhand dealers in Manchester must hold a City Clerk license, pass a Police Chief background check, and file per-transaction records.

Key details: Licensing authority: City Clerk, with Police Chief vetting. License expires: April 30 each year. Criminal record check: 10-year lookback, all involved employees. Per-transaction fee: $1, billed monthly. Auctioneer fee (no fixed location): $50/year.

Operating unlicensed, or violating license conditions, is punishable under the general penalty section, § 10.99. The Committee on Administration can also revoke a license after notice and hearing for just cause, including for an owner's or employee's disqualifying theft-related conviction.

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

Adult Entertainment

Manchester bars any business that sells alcoholic beverages from offering exotic or unusual entertainment, including exotic dancing, wet T-shirt and body contests, unless the Chief of Police first approves it in writing.

Key details: Approval authority: Chief of Police or designee. Who's covered: Businesses licensed to sell alcohol. Approval form required: Must be in writing. Ordinance adopted: December 3, 1996. Penalty basis: § 130.99, fine per RSA 47:17.

Violating § 130.12 is punishable under the General Offenses chapter's penalty section, § 130.99: a fine up to the maximum allowed by RSA 47:17 or other law. Both the business and any performer who proceeds without written Chief-of-Police approval can be cited.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Manchester actively enforces its adult entertainment requirements.

Towing Companies

Manchester limits non-consent towing to $175 per tow and $50 per day storage, with the first 24 hours free and no hoisting, let-down, standby, or gate fees allowed.

Key details: Tow fee cap: $175 maximum per non-consent tow. Storage fee cap: $50/day, first 24 hrs free. Banned fees: No hoisting, let-down, standby, or gate fees. After-hours release fee: $50 max, needs signed acknowledgment. Citation: Manchester City Code § 70.40.

Overcharging a non-consent tow or storage fee, adding a banned hoisting, let-down, standby, or gate fee, or withholding personal property from the vehicle owner violates § 70.40 and can trigger municipal code enforcement action.

Tattoo & Body Modification

Manchester requires every tattoo parlor and body piercing establishment to hold an annual business license from the City Clerk before opening. City Code Section 110.02(A) names tattoo and body piercing establishments among the businesses this chapter licenses, the license expires each April 30, and the shop's zoning and fee obligations are checked before the city issues it.

Key details: License required: Tattoo and piercing shops (§110.02(A)). Term: Expires annually every April 30. Fee: $50 first 1,500 sq ft, +$2/100 sq ft, cap $1,000. Application: Trade name, address, insurance if requested. Pre-issuance check: Zoning verified before license issues.

A tattoo or piercing shop operating without its Chapter 110 license, or breaching a license condition, faces revocation by the City Clerk under Section 110.26(B) for fraud in the application, any title violation, or endangering public health or safety. The owner may request a hearing before the Committee on Administration within ten days of a denial, suspension or revocation notice under Section 110.27(A); a revocation for immediate danger under Section 110.26(B)(7) can take effect before that hearing. Section 110.99 makes each day of unlicensed operation a separate offense and lets the city sue to recover its costs and fees.

Tobacco Retail License

Manchester requires any "high-impact retail store" selling tobacco, vape or nicotine products, or lottery tickets, to hold an annual business license from the City Clerk. Sections 110.01 and 110.02(A) of the City Code define the category and make licensing mandatory before opening, with the license expiring every April 30 and zoning verified in advance.

Key details: License required: Annual, expires April 30 (City Clerk). Covers: Tobacco, vape, nicotine or lottery retailers. Fee: $50 first 1,500 sq ft, +$2/100 sq ft, cap $1,000. Pre-issuance check: Zoning verified before license issues. Revocation: Notice and hearing, Committee on Administration.

Operating a high-impact retail store without the required license, or breaching a condition attached to it, exposes the owner to revocation by the City Clerk after notice and a hearing under Section 110.26(B), for causes including any violation of this title or of municipal zoning, health, police or fire rules. Section 110.99 makes each day of violation a separate offense, and the city may sue to enjoin the conduct and recover its attorney fees, expert fees and investigative costs. The Chief of Police may enter the store's public areas during business hours under Section 110.28 to demand the license be exhibited.

Pawnbrokers

Manchester requires City Clerk-issued licenses for pawnbrokers, vetted by the Chief of Police, with a 10-year criminal background check, $1 per-transaction city fee, and a mandatory 30-day hold on purchased goods before resale.

Key details: Licensing authority: City Clerk, vetted by Chief of Police. License expires: April 30 annually. City transaction fee: $1 per recorded transaction. Item hold period: 30 days before resale. Background check: 10-year criminal record required.

Operating unlicensed, falsifying transaction records, or reselling an item before the 30-day hold expires violates § 10.99's general penalty: a fine up to the RSA 47:17 maximum, with each day counted as a separate offense.

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

The Bottom Line

Manchester is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Manchester, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.