Food Truck Permits: Manchester vs Nashua
How do food truck permits rules compare between Manchester, NH and Nashua, NH?
Manchester and Nashua have similar restriction levels.
Manchester, NH
Hillsborough County
Manchester requires food trucks to obtain a mobile food vendor permit and health department approval. Annual licensing and vehicle inspections are typically required.
View full Manchester rules →Nashua, NH
Hillsborough County
Operating a food truck in Nashua requires three city authorizations: (1) a Mobile Food Service License from the Nashua Environmental Health Department; (2) a Hawkers and Peddlers Permit from the City Clerk's office; and (3) a fire safety inspection from the Fire Marshal's Office. Vendors must operate from a licensed commissary kitchen. Nashua adopts the 2017 FDA Food Code through NRO Chapter 170. NH RSA 143-A is the statewide food-service licensure framework.
View full Nashua rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Manchester | Nashua |
|---|---|---|
| City Permit | Mobile vendor permit required | - |
| Health Permit | County/state health approval | - |
| Insurance | Liability coverage required | - |
| Commissary | Agreement required | Required; licensed food-service facility |
| Health Authority | - | Nashua Environmental Health Department |
| Plan Review Fee | - | $125 one-time |
| Annual Mobile Food Vendor Fee | - | $200 |
| Hawkers and Peddlers Permit | - | $100/year (City Clerk) |
| Adopted Code | - | 2017 FDA Food Code via NRO Chapter 170 |
| State Framework | - | NH RSA Chapter 143-A (Food Service Licensure) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Manchester FAQ
How do I get a food truck permit?
Apply through Manchester business licensing and the county health department. Expect vehicle inspection and commissary agreement.
Do I need a commissary?
Yes. Most jurisdictions require a licensed commissary for food prep, storage, and wastewater disposal.
Nashua FAQ
What permits do I need to run a food truck in Nashua?
Three city authorizations: (1) Mobile Food Service License from the Nashua Environmental Health Department — $125 plan review plus $200 annual fee — using the 2017 FDA Food Code adopted through Nashua Revised Ordinances Chapter 170; (2) Hawkers and Peddlers Permit from the City Clerk — $100 per year; and (3) fire safety inspection from the Nashua Fire Marshal's Office. You must also operate from a licensed commissary kitchen and submit a signed commissary agreement with your application.
Do I need a state license for a Nashua food truck?
Nashua is a self-inspecting municipality, so the city's Environmental Health Department — not the NH Department of Health and Human Services — issues your food-service license under New Hampshire RSA Chapter 143-A and the locally adopted 2017 FDA Food Code (NRO Chapter 170). Cottage-food rules under RSA 143-A:12 do not apply to mobile food units — they cover only non-potentially-hazardous home-prepared food.
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