Business Licensing & Operations in Manchester, NH (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Manchester, New Hampshire, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Manchester Exotic Entertainment Needs Police OK
Significant RestrictionsManchester City Code § 130.12(B)
(1) It shall be unlawful for any business entity that sells alcoholic beverages to the general public to offer or allow exotic/unusual entertainment without first having received written approval from the Chief of Police or his designee. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage or participate in any exotic/unusual entertainment in any location where alcoholic beverages are served to th...
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.
Manchester Tattoo & Body Piercing License
Some RestrictionsManchester Code of Ordinances § 110.02(A)
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to commence or conduct, or propose to commence or conduct, either directly or indirectly, a business within the city and identified by the provisions of this chapter, unless a license therefor, expiring on April 30 annually, has been issued by the City Clerk upon payment of the fee prescribed by the provisions of this chapter. A business or business activ...
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.
Manchester High-Impact Retail Store License
Some RestrictionsManchester Code of Ordinances §§ 110.01, 110.02(A)
HIGH-IMPACT RETAIL STORE. Any business which is accessible to the public where food, goods, merchandise or equipment is sold at retail and where tobacco, tobacco paraphernalia, smoking paraphernalia, including products that contain nicotine, liquid nicotine, vapors or inhalants and/or involve the on-site inhaling or smoking of such products, and/or lottery tickets are sold. ... (A) It shall be ...
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.
Manchester Secondhand & Junk Dealer License
Significant RestrictionsManchester, NH City Code § 114.01(A), (D)
No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of junk dealers, junk collector, pawnbroker, pawnshop or secondhand dealer, auctioneer, or auction house as defined by § 110.01 of this title unless licensed therefor by the City Clerk. ... No license shall be issued to any firm, corporation, owner, or person, to include employees, directly or indirectly involved in the purchase of se...
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.
Manchester Pawnbroker License Rules
Significant RestrictionsManchester City Code § 114.01(A)
No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of junk dealers, junk collector, pawnbroker, pawnshop or secondhand dealer, auctioneer, or auction house as defined by § 110.01 of this title unless licensed therefor by the City Clerk. (B) Applications for such licenses shall be made to the City Clerk, upon blanks furnished by him for that purpose and shall be submitted by him t...
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.
Manchester Caps Non-Consent Tow Fees at $175
Some RestrictionsManchester, NH City Code § 70.40
(A) (1) Any company or person which tows a motor vehicle without the consent or authorization of the owner or operator of the motor vehicle shall not charge a towing fee in excess of $175. (2) ...shall not charge a fee in excess of $50 per day for storing the towed motor vehicle. There shall be no storage fee for the first 24 hours after a motor vehicle is towed. ... No "hoisting", "let-dow...