Fence Regulations in Nashua, NH (2026)
8 verified fence regulations for Nashua, New Hampshire, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Nashua caps residential fence height at 7 feet under Section 190-44 of the Nashua Revised Ordinances (Chapter 190 Land Use, Article VI Supplemental Use Regulations), as amended by Ordinance O-23-065. Section 190-44.A reads: 'In residential zoning districts, [walls, fences or similar enclosures] shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height or interfere with traffic circulation.' Nonresidential districts have no height restriction under Sec. 190-44.B, provided the fence does not interfere with traffic circulation. Parcels directly adjacent to the Frederick E. Everett Turnpike (residential uses) may build boundary fences up to 14 feet under Sec. 190-44.C.
Fence Height Limits in Nashua
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Nashua does not require a routine fence permit for fences that comply with NRO Sec. 190-44 height limits (7 feet residential, no limit nonresidential). A building permit through the Department of Building Safety is required only for Turnpike-adjacent boundary fences exceeding 7 feet under Sec. 190-44.C. The Department of Building Safety enforces the New Hampshire State Building Code adopted under RSA 155-A and locally implemented through NRO Chapter 105. Contact the Department at 229 Main Street, 2nd Floor, 603-589-3080, BuildingDepartment@nashuanh.gov.
Fence Permit Requirements in Nashua
Some RestrictionsNeighbor Fence Rules
Nashua does not have a municipal cost-sharing or partition-fence ordinance. Neighbor fence disputes are governed by New Hampshire state law: RSA 476:1 (spite fences) and RSA Chapter 472 (partition fences). RSA 476:1 makes any fence 'unnecessarily exceeding 5 feet in height, erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property' a private nuisance, and RSA 476:3 requires removal within 30 days of judgment with a $10 per day penalty. Nashua's residential 7-foot cap (NRO Sec. 190-44.A) is independent of the RSA 476 spite-fence threshold.
Neighbor Rules for Fences in Nashua
Some RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Retaining walls in Nashua require a building permit when the wall exceeds 4 feet in height above the grade base of footing, per NRO Sec. 105-22.A.(10) of the Building Permit Fee Schedule. Residential retaining walls cost $25 minimum or $0.15 per linear foot (whichever is greater); commercial walls cost $50 minimum or $0.30 per linear foot. Walls under 4 feet do not require a stand-alone building permit but must still comply with the New Hampshire State Building Code (2021 IRC and 2021 IBC) adopted by RSA 155-A. The Building Official may require third party peer review for 'extensive retaining walls and complicated foundation designs' under NRO Sec. 105-9.B.
Retaining Wall Rules in Nashua
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
Residential pool barriers in Nashua are governed by the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) adopted as the Residential Swimming Pool and Spa Code of the City of Nashua under NRO Sec. 105-25 (Article VII, Chapter 105). ISPSC Section 305.2.1 requires the barrier to be 'not less than 48 inches above grade' on the side facing away from the pool. Section 305.3 requires that openings 'shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere.' Section 305.5 requires pedestrian access gates to 'open outward away from the pool or spa,' be self-closing, and have a self-latching device. Nashua applies these provisions as adopted; under RSA 155-A, the state framework controls.
Pool Barrier Rules in Nashua
Heavy RestrictionsFence Requirements
Nashua's general fence requirements live in two ordinances: NRO Sec. 190-44 (Land Use Code) and NRO Chapter 150 (Fences). Sec. 190-44 caps residential fence height at 7 feet (Sec. 190-44.A), requires that fences not interfere with traffic circulation (Sec. 190-44.A and B), and authorizes up to 14 feet adjacent to the Frederick E. Everett Turnpike with a Building Safety permit (Sec. 190-44.C). NRO Chapter 150 declares any barbed wire fence a public nuisance unless the barbed wire is more than 6 feet above ground or part of a farm or public utility operation. The Department of Building Safety enforces both at 229 Main Street, 2nd Floor, 603-589-3080.
General Fence Requirements in Nashua
Some RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Nashua's only material-specific restriction in the general fence ordinances is the barbed wire rule in NRO Chapter 150: 'Any fence made up in whole or part of barbed wire shall be deemed a public nuisance unless the barbed wire is located more than six feet above the ground or the fence is being used in connection with the operation of a farm or public utility.' NRO Sec. 190-44 does not prohibit specific fence materials but limits residential height to 7 feet and requires that fences not interfere with traffic circulation. Specific land uses elsewhere in Chapter 190 (trash enclosures, day care facilities, towers) impose their own material/opacity standards.
Fence Material Restrictions in Nashua
Some RestrictionsApproved Materials
Nashua's NRO Sec. 190-44 (Fences) does not enumerate or restrict permitted fence materials, leaving owners free to choose wood, vinyl, chain link, wrought iron, composite, masonry, or other typical materials, subject to the 7-foot residential height cap and traffic-circulation rule. The only material-specific limitation is the barbed wire restriction in NRO Chapter 150, which deems barbed wire a public nuisance unless located more than 6 feet above the ground or used for a farm or public utility. Specific use-based ordinances (trash enclosures, day care, towers) may impose opaque or solid-fence requirements in Chapter 190 supplemental use regulations.
Permitted Fence Materials in Nashua
Few RestrictionsLooking for Hillsborough County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Nashua city rules.
Fence Regulations in Hillsborough County →