Manchester, NH Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
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.
Any person desiring to have the City Health Department inspect a day care facility, home, or other premises as a prerequisite for obtaining a State of New Hampshire license shall request such inspection on forms provided for this purpose by the City Health Department. ('71 Code, § 12-8)
(B) An inspection fee of $30 for a family-type day care (less than or equal to six children) or $50 for a day care center (more than six children) shall be paid to the City Health Department upon requesting a day care licensing inspection. A day care facility which holds a valid Class III food establishment permit from the City Health Department is exempt from the day care inspection fee. ('71 Code, § 12-9)
(C) Any person operating a day care facility in the City shall comply with the New Hampshire Child Care Program Licensing Rules He-C 4000. (Ord. passed 3-19-85; Am. Ord. passed 9-4-01) *** LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ***
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
Before a family day care or day care center can obtain its New Hampshire state license, the operator must request an inspection from the Manchester Health Department on the department's own forms. The inspection fee is $30 for a family-type day care serving six or fewer children and $50 for a day care center serving more than six, though a facility that already holds a valid Class III food establishment permit from the Health Department is exempt from paying the day care inspection fee. Beyond the local inspection, every day care operator in the city must also comply with the New Hampshire Child Care Program Licensing Rules, He-C 4000, the statewide regulatory standard.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Manchester inspect day cares before state licensing?
How much does the Manchester day care inspection cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
Compare Manchester to another location·View the New Hampshire building safety overview
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Childcare Center Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle childcare center rules.