Animal Ordinances in Nashua, NH (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Nashua, New Hampshire, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Nashua amended its Backyard Poultry rules by Ordinance O-18-019 to allow up to six (6) adult female chickens (hens) per residential lot. Roosters and other crowing male chickens are PROHIBITED. Chickens must be kept in the side or rear yard, at least 20 feet from any property line, in a roofed, fully enclosed coop that protects the birds from weather, rodents, and wild and domestic animals. A permit is required from the City, the sale of eggs is prohibited, and NRO Chapter 93 (Animals) bars any chicken or fowl from going at large in any street, alley, or public place. Larger livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, swine) are restricted by Nashua's Land Use Code (NRO Ch. 190) to limited rural/agricultural zones.
Nashua Backyard Chickens (NRO Ch. 93 + Land Use Code - 6 Hens, No Roosters, 20-ft Setback)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
NRO Chapter 93 (Animals), as amended by Ordinance O-19-052, makes it unlawful for any dog to run at large within the City of Nashua. 'At large' means off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under leash or other physical restraint, except within the fenced area of an off-leash dog park approved by the City and Animal Control Officer (ACO). All dogs kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners must be licensed annually as provided in NH RSA 466, with a Nashua local surcharge of $1 added to the state license fee under RSA 466:39. Current rabies vaccination is a licensing prerequisite. Dog owners must carry the means to remove feces when accompanying dogs on private property not their own.
Nashua Dog Leash & Licensing (NRO Ch. 93 + NH RSA 466)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Nashua has NO breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and other commonly restricted breeds are legal to own in Nashua without breed-specific permits, muzzles, insurance, or special enclosures. New Hampshire takes a conduct-based, individual-dog approach under RSA 466:31 (Dogs a Menace, a Nuisance or Vicious): a dog must be DECLARED dangerous by a court after a hearing based on its actual behavior - running at large, biting, chasing cars, growling, snapping - regardless of breed. NH does NOT preempt local breed-specific ordinances by statute, but Nashua has not adopted one. Private restrictions (HOAs, condo bylaws, landlord leases, homeowner insurance carriers) frequently restrict specific breeds independent of City code.
Nashua Breed Restrictions (None - Conduct-Based via NRO Ch. 93 + NH RSA 466:31)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Nashua's NRO Chapter 93 (Animals) does not contain a beekeeping-specific section, and the Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Ch. 190) does not impose a hive-specific setback or permit on backyard apiaries. Beekeeping is generally allowed as an accessory residential activity subject to NRO § 93-3 (no animal structure within 45 feet of a human-occupied building absent Health Officer permission) and the general nuisance framework. New Hampshire's apiary inspection and disease-control framework runs through NH RSA Chapter 429 (administered by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food); state apiary registration is voluntary, but the Department maintains an Apiary Inspection Program and registers commercial apiaries.
Nashua Beekeeping (No City-Specific Apiary Ordinance + NH RSA Ch. 429 Bee Inspection)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Nashua's NRO Chapter 93 does not contain a comprehensive exotic-pet permit framework; the City defers primarily to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department's wildlife-possession rules in NH Code of Administrative Rules Fis 800 (Possession of Wildlife). NH Fis 804 prohibits private possession of most native wildlife and many non-native exotic species without a permit. Categorically prohibited (no private possession permits issued) include big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, cougars), bears, wolves and wolf hybrids, non-human primates, venomous reptiles, and most other potentially dangerous species. Common companion species (ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, parrots, non-venomous pet snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos) are generally allowed without state permit.
Nashua Exotic Pets (NH Fis 800 Wildlife Possession + Hen Coop Rules)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Nashua does not have a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, but New Hampshire state law provides substantial controls. NH RSA 207:3-c (as amended by HB 442 in 2024) gives NH Fish & Game authority over bait and feed for wildlife and prohibits feeding that creates a public safety threat. NH Fis 307.06 (Feeding of Wild Deer) and Fis 307.07 (Feeding of Wild Bears) authorize the NH Fish & Game Department to issue written cease-and-desist orders when feeding is detrimental to deer/bear health or creates a public safety threat. Intentional bear feeding is presumptively prohibited; bird feeders are allowed but must be removed if they attract bears. The NH Department of Health under RSA 141-C also addresses rabies vector species attraction.
Nashua Wildlife Feeding (NH RSA 207:3-c Bait/Feed + NH Fis 307 Deer Feeding)
Some RestrictionsLivestock
NRO § 93-2 prohibits chickens, fowl, sheep, swine, horses, mules, asses, oxen, cows, and other cattle from being at large in any street, alley, or public place. The Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Chapter 190) restricts the keeping of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and goats to a limited number of zoning districts (typically rural-residential and certain low-density zones - reportedly just two zones citywide). In most Nashua residential, commercial, and mixed-use districts, livestock keeping is NOT a permitted use. Pre-existing operations may be grandfathered as legal nonconforming uses if not expanded. NRO § 93-3 also requires that any animal structure be 45+ feet from any human-occupied building.
Nashua Livestock (NRO Ch. 93 At-Large + Land Use Code Limits Husbandry to Two Zones)
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Hillsborough County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Nashua city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Hillsborough County →