Building Safety in Manchester, NH (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Manchester, New Hampshire, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Manchester Housing Code Bars Flaking Lead Paint
Some RestrictionsManchester, NH Code of Ordinances § 150.069
All interior and exterior surfaces of dwellings, dwelling units, and rooming units shall be free of loose or flaking paint. All newly applied paint must meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Standards as being safe in accordance with the provisions of the Board of Health Department.
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.
Manchester Day Care Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsManchester Code of Ordinances § 91.01 (Day Care Facilities; Inspections)
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 ...
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.
Manchester Rental Door Lock and Exitway Rule
Some RestrictionsManchester Code of Ordinances § 150.042
§ 150.042 DOORS AND DOORWAYS. Every exterior door frame shall have a door and this door shall be weathertight within its frame. Every exterior door, door hinge, doorknob, and door latch shall be maintained in good usable condition. Door locks in dwelling units shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door. Every door required as an exitway shall be capable of being opened fro...
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.
Manchester Building Permits & Inspections
Some RestrictionsManchester Code of Ordinances § 151.01
It is the purpose of this chapter to recognize the authority of the Building Code of the State of New Hampshire ("State Building Code") as set forth by R.S.A. 155-A and adopt local amendments thereto pursuant to R.S.A. 674:51... Updates by the State of New Hampshire to the State Building Code shall automatically become effective for the Building Code of the City of Manchester... Local amendment...
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.
Manchester Dwelling Electrical Service Standard
Some RestrictionsManchester Code of Ordinances § 150.086
§ 150.086 ELECTRICAL SERVICE AND OUTLETS. Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with electric service, outlets and fixtures installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the electrical code for the city. ... (A) Every habitable room of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall contain at least two separate and remote outlets, one of which may be a ceiling or wall-type electric light fix...
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.
Manchester Rental Certificate Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsManchester City Code § 150.104
§ 150.104 INSPECTION OF PREMISES. Following receipt of an application for a certificate of compliance, an inspection of that property shall be conducted to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter. After the inspection, the Department shall: (A) Issue a certificate of compliance if the premises comply with all provisions of this chapter; or (B) Issue a violation notice if the pr...