Nashua, NH Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Housing Code § 182-28(J), (L)
- Enforcing agency
- Code Enforcement Department
- Exit door rule
- No key needed to exit
- Penalty basis
- City Code § 1-12, daily offense
Summary
Nashua's Housing Code requires dwelling-unit door locks to be kept in good repair and able to tightly secure the door, and requires every exit door to open from the inside without needing a key.
J. Doors. Every exterior door, door hinge, door knob, door frame and door latch shall be maintained in good condition. Door locks in dwelling units shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.
K. Door closing devices. All common exterior doors shall have automatic door closing devices.
L. Exit doors. Every door available as an exit shall be capable of being opened from the inside easily and without the use of a key.
M. Hatchways. Every hatchway shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent the entrance of rodents, rainwater and surface drainage water into the structure.
N. Windows to be tight. Every window sash shall be structurally sound and fit within its frame so as to prevent outside elements from passing through.
O. Windows to be glazed. Every window sash shall be fully fitted with glass, plexiglass or polycarbonate panes which are without cracks or holes.
P. Windows to be openable. In every window other than in a fixed window, the lower sash shall be capable of being easily opened and shall be capable of being held in the open position by window hardware.
Q. Insect screens. From May 15 to October 15 of each year, every window used for ventilation purposes shall be supplied with window screens, except that no such screens shall be required for a dwelling unit on a floor above the fifth floor.
R.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4805762; v29 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the City Housing Code's exterior standards, § 182-28(J) requires that door locks in dwelling units be maintained in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door, along with the door itself, hinges, knobs, frames and latches. § 182-28(L) separately bars keyed exits: any door available as an exit must be capable of being opened from the inside easily and without the use of a key, which rules out double-keyed deadbolts on egress doors. The Code Enforcement Department, housed in the Community Development Division, inspects for compliance and can issue warnings or citations against owners and landlords who let locks or exit hardware fall out of repair.
Violations & Fines
Violations are punished as provided in City Code § 1-12, and every day a violation continues after notice has been served counts as a separate offense; the Code Enforcement Department may issue citations or refer the matter for prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Nashua landlord put a keyed deadbolt on my apartment's exit door?
What if my apartment door lock is broken in Nashua?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashua
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