Moving to Nashua, NH?

Nashua codifies a strict construction quiet window in Chapter 128 (Construction and Demolition Work) of Part II. There shall be no construction or demolition in any residential zone (as defined in Chapter 190, Land Use) or within 600 feet of any dwelling unit between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Friday, and between 7:00 p.m. Saturday and 8:00 a.m. Sunday and holidays. Emergency work directed by the Director of Code Enforcement and work authorized by the Director of Public Works are exempt. Primary enforcement is by Nashua Police; Code Enforcement and the Zoning Administrator also have authority.

Aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (49 U.S.C. 47521 et seq.). Boire Field / Nashua Municipal Airport (FAA identifier ASH / ICAO KASH), at 93 Perimeter Road in northwest Nashua, is operated by the Nashua Airport Authority. The FAA determined that the airport's FAR Part 150 Noise Exposure Maps are in compliance with applicable requirements effective April 29, 2009. Nashua Chapter 201 contains no aircraft-noise provisions. The airport publishes voluntary noise-abatement procedures favoring Runway 32 as the preferential runway, with Runway 14 departures climbing on runway heading to 1,000 feet MSL before turning over the F.E. Everett Turnpike.

Nashua codifies noise in Chapter 201 (Noise) of Part II of the Revised Ordinances, adopted by the Board of Aldermen on August 9, 2005 by Ordinance O-05-96. Chapter 201 does not publish a single citywide clock-time 'quiet hours' window for all noise. It establishes specific time-based prohibitions: yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on public streets is unlawful between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (or at any time so as to annoy or disturb neighboring premises). Operating an electronic sound-reproduction device so as to disturb peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants is unlawful at all hours - operation clearly audible at 50 feet is prima facie evidence. New Hampshire RSA 644:2 (disorderly conduct) is the statewide backstop for loud or unreasonable noise.

Nashua codifies animal-noise enforcement in Chapter 93 (Animals). Noise from an animal that is sustained for periods of more than 30 minutes, or that occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., which would annoy or disturb a person of normal sensibilities, is declared a nuisance. The owner who fails to abate the nuisance after being requested to do so is guilty of a violation. The Nashua Police Department enforces, with penalties under § 93-14. Animal noise also remains citable under Chapter 201 and NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct.

Industrial noise in Nashua is regulated through Chapter 201 (Noise) - the disturbance / 50-foot audibility standard - layered with Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) industrial-performance standards and the Chapter 128 residential-zone construction-equipment quiet window (8 p.m. - 7 a.m. weekdays; no Sunday/holiday). NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct is the statewide backstop. New Hampshire has no statewide environmental noise dB code (unlike WAC 173-60). Active industrial concentrations include the Sundial Avenue and Crown Street industrial parks, the Daniel Webster Highway south light-industrial corridor, the Amherst Street rail-served sites, and the former mill complexes along the Nashua River (many now in adaptive-reuse mixed-use redevelopment).

Nashua does not publish a leaf-blower-specific ordinance and has not banned gas-powered blowers. Leaf-blower use is governed by Chapter 201 (Noise) - the disturbance / 50-foot audibility standard for electronic sound-reproduction devices does not directly cover internal-combustion equipment, so enforcement against leaf-blower noise relies on the Chapter 201 reasonableness standard plus, where applicable, Chapter 128 construction-equipment-noise restrictions or NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct. New Hampshire has not enacted statewide leaf-blower preemption, but no Nashua-specific bans, hour restrictions, or registration program exist.

Chapter 201 (Noise) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, receiving set, television, phonograph, stereo, record player, tape player, cassette player, compact disc player, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or other electronic device for producing, reproducing or amplifying sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of inhabitants of neighboring premises. Operation clearly audible at 50 feet from the source is prima facie evidence of violation. The chapter separately bars amplified sound cast upon the public streets for commercial advertising or to attract attention to a building. Motor-vehicle amplification > 50 feet is also barred at § 201-1.

Nashua Chapter 201 (Noise) does not codify a general numeric dBA cap. The city's principal quantitative triggers are: (1) the 50-foot audibility rule for electronic sound-reproduction devices (clearly audible at 50 feet = prima facie violation) at all hours; (2) the 50-foot audibility rule for motor-vehicle amplification under NCO 201-1; and (3) the Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) HVAC / mechanical-equipment standard of 50 dBA daytime (7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.) / 45 dBA nighttime (8:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.) at residential zoning district boundaries. New Hampshire has no statewide environmental noise dB code parallel to WAC 173-60. NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct is the statewide reasonableness backstop.

Outdoor music in Nashua is governed by Chapter 201 (Noise) - the disturbance / 50-foot audibility standard for electronic sound-reproduction devices applies citywide at all hours, with the public-street vocal bar 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Permitted special events (the City of Nashua SummerFun concert series at Greeley Park Bandshell every Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Greater Nashua Pride Festival, downtown ArtWalk and Winter Holiday Stroll programs organized by Great American Downtown, and concerts at Holman Stadium) operate under city event permits. Park-system amplification is also governed by Chapter 215 (Parks and Recreation Areas).

Nashua does not impose any short-term-rental-specific noise rules because the city has no STR ordinance. STR guests are subject to the citywide Chapter 201 Noise Ordinance (Ord. No. O-05-96, adopted by the Board of Aldermen 8-9-2005), which prohibits yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing on public streets between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any time so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in neighboring premises. Motor-vehicle sound systems audible more than 50 feet from the vehicle are also prohibited. Construction work in residential zones or within 600 feet of a dwelling is restricted by Chapter 128 to weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (with limits on weekends). Violations carry fines of not less than $100 and a written cease-or-abate order, enforced by the Nashua Police Department.

The City of Nashua does not have a stand-alone short-term rental (STR) permit, license, or registration program in its municipal code or its Chapter 190 Land Use Code. New Hampshire has no statewide STR licensing scheme and no statewide preemption either way - RSA 31:39 leaves the question of local STR regulation to each municipality, and Nashua's Board of Aldermen has not adopted an STR-specific chapter as of the date of this entry. The only mandatory operator credential is the statewide Meals and Rooms (Rentals) License issued by the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NH DRA) under RSA 78-A, which every operator renting accommodations for fewer than 185 consecutive days must obtain before advertising or accepting bookings. STR uses are subject to the underlying use restrictions of the dwelling unit's zoning district in Chapter 190 of the Nashua Revised Ordinances, plus generally applicable health, building, fire, noise (Chapter 201), and housing (Chapter 182) codes.

Nashua does not require any specific insurance for short-term rentals because the city has no STR ordinance. New Hampshire also has no statewide STR insurance statute - the legislature has not enacted an analog to Washington's RSA 64.37.050 or California's $1 million-aggregate hospitality coverage mandate. Insurance is therefore purely contractual: standard homeowners and landlord policies typically exclude commercial short-term-rental (transient lodging) use, so practical compliance requires either (1) a stand-alone short-term rental policy or rider, (2) a commercial general liability policy with a hospitality endorsement, or (3) booking exclusively through a platform whose host liability insurance applies (Airbnb's AirCover and Vrbo's Liability Insurance both provide up to $1,000,000 of host liability coverage on platform-booked stays, but neither extends to off-platform direct bookings). NH RSA 78-A registration with the Department of Revenue Administration does not require proof of insurance.

Nashua does not impose any short-term-rental-specific parking requirement because the city has no STR ordinance. The only operative parking rules are the off-street parking standards in Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) for the dwelling unit's underlying residential or lodging use - typically one to two off-street spaces per dwelling unit depending on district and unit type. Guest vehicles use lawful on-street parking subject to citywide rules in Chapter 280 (Vehicles and Traffic), including posted time limits, winter parking bans (Chapter 280, Article IV - November 15 through April 15), and street-cleaning restrictions. There is no STR-specific per-bedroom parking ratio, no STR parking plan requirement, and no permit-condition parking standard.

Nashua does not impose any annual night cap on short-term rentals because the city has no STR ordinance. New Hampshire has no statewide STR night cap either - there is no analog to Bellingham's 95-day cap, San Francisco's 90-day cap, or New York's blanket prohibition on whole-unit transient rentals under 30 days. STR operators in Nashua may operate year-round subject only to the 185-day threshold in RSA 78-A:3 (rentals of 185 or more consecutive days are not subject to the Meals and Rooms Tax and are treated as long-term tenancies under the New Hampshire Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, RSA 540). No primary-residence rule, no whole-unit-only restriction, and no minimum-stay requirement applies under city or state law.

Nashua does not maintain a short-term rental registration program because the city has no STR ordinance. The only mandatory registration is the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration's Meals and Rooms (Rentals) License under RSA 78-A:4, obtained through the Granite Tax Connect portal at gtc.revenue.nh.gov. RSA 78-A:6, V additionally requires every short-term rental advertisement (online listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, direct-rental websites, print, signage) to include the operator's M&R license number. There is no Nashua application, no Nashua registration fee, no Nashua site plan filing, no Nashua local contact requirement, and no Nashua biennial renewal - all of those exist only in cities with STR ordinances, which Nashua is not.

Short-term rentals in Nashua are taxed solely under the New Hampshire Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax in RSA Chapter 78-A. The current rate is 8.5% of the gross rental charge for any accommodation rented for fewer than 185 consecutive days (rate reduced from 9% effective October 1, 2021 by HB2 (2021)). New Hampshire has no general sales tax, no income tax on wages, no city lodging tax in Nashua, and no Nashua STR permit fee (because no STR permit exists). Operators must register for an NH DRA Meals and Rooms License under RSA 78-A:4 through the Granite Tax Connect portal, collect 8.5% from every guest, and remit monthly under RSA 78-A:8. Under RSA 78-A:6, V every STR advertisement must display the operator's M&R license number. Under RSA 78-A:25 the state distributes a portion of M&R revenue back to municipalities (the catalyst fund), so Nashua receives indirect benefit from STR operations.

Nashua does not impose a short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap (no two-per-bedroom rule, no maximum-guest cap) because the city has no STR ordinance. The operative occupancy limits come from (1) the New Hampshire State Building Code adopted under RSA 155-A, which incorporates the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) occupant-load and minimum-room-area standards, (2) Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) of the Nashua Revised Ordinances, which sets minimum habitable-area-per-occupant requirements and life-safety standards, and (3) the New Hampshire State Fire Code under RSA 153 (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code), enforced by the Nashua Fire Marshal's Office, which sets occupant-load limits based on means of egress. Hosting platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) independently enforce house rules and event policies.

Nashua imposes no host-presence rule and no 24/7 designated-local-contact requirement on short-term rentals because the city has no STR ordinance. Hosts may operate fully unhosted (whole-unit Airbnb / Vrbo rentals) without any city-imposed contact-response duty, distance limit, or owner-occupied-only requirement. The bed-and-breakfast section in the Chapter 190 Land Use Code is a distinct lodging classification that does impose owner-occupancy and breakfast-service requirements, but B&B regulation does not extend to general STR operations. New Hampshire state law similarly imposes no host-presence or local-contact mandate.

Nashua does not impose any primary-residence-only requirement on short-term rentals because the city has no STR ordinance. Investor-owned, non-owner-occupied, whole-unit STR operations are not prohibited as a class - they are permitted to the extent the underlying Chapter 190 Land Use Code Use Matrix permits the dwelling unit's use as transient lodging in the applicable zoning district. New Hampshire state law similarly imposes no primary-residence requirement. This contrasts sharply with cities like Bellingham, WA (270 days primary residence required for residential-zone STRs), San Francisco (host must reside 275+ days), and New York City (de facto primary-residence-only since 2023). The Chapter 190 Bed-and-breakfast section does require owner occupancy, but a B&B is a distinct classification.

All open burning in Nashua requires both a city permit from Nashua Fire Rescue under City Code § 110-2 (Chapter 110, Burning, Open) and a written forest-fire-warden permit under RSA 227-L:17 (Woodland Fire Control). The City Forest Fire Warden is the Nashua Fire Chief. Permits are free and issued through nashuanh.burnpermits.com in three categories: Category 1 (minimum 25-foot setback from any structure, applied for entirely online), Category 2 and Category 3 (minimum 50-foot setback, require a site visit). Burning is allowed between 5:00 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting. No permit is required only when the ground is completely covered with snow.

Nashua is a built-out southern New Hampshire suburban city with no formally mapped wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones and no stand-alone wildfire hazard ordinance. Wildfire risk inside the city is generally low compared with northern New Hampshire forest country, but vegetation along Mine Falls Park, the Nashua River corridor, the Pennichuck Brook watershed, and the Merrimack River edge can carry fire in drought conditions. State-level wildfire authority comes from RSA Chapter 227-L (Woodland Fire Control), administered by the NH Division of Forests and Lands, with the Nashua Fire Chief serving as the City Forest Fire Warden. The NH Forest Fire Danger ranking (Class I Low through Class V Extreme) can trigger statewide or regional burn suspensions independent of city permits.

Backyard fire pits, chimineas, fire bowls, and any open burning of solid fuel materials (other than charcoal) in Nashua require a burn permit from Nashua Fire Rescue under Chapter 110 (Burning, Open) of the City Code and RSA 227-L:17. Permits are issued free at nashuanh.burnpermits.com. Category 1 permits cover compliant campfires with a minimum 25-foot setback from any structure; Categories 2 and 3 require a 50-foot setback and a site visit. Burning is allowed only between 5:00 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting, and only when the ground is not snow-covered without a permit. The 2021 edition of NFPA 1 (Uniform Fire Code), adopted statewide effective August 13, 2024 under RSA 153, applies as the enforcement baseline.

Nashua City Code Chapter 160 (Fireworks) prohibits the sale, purchase, possession, use, or explosion of any fireworks without a permit issued in accordance with RSA 160-B and RSA 160-C. The ordinance further states that 'there shall be no permits granted, except to the City of Nashua for programs and displays under its control, for the sale, purchase, possession, use or explosion of Class C fireworks' - the consumer (permissible) fireworks otherwise allowed elsewhere in New Hampshire. The Fire Marshal may grant a permit for professional fireworks displays when proper safety is provided. For permitted displays, only color shells, cakes, and whistlers may be used, discharged, or displayed after 10:00 p.m.; salute, reports, and thunder-shell fireworks are prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Nashua is on the NH State Fire Marshal's Community Restrictions List as a city that does not allow permissible (consumer) fireworks.

Nashua does not have a stand-alone defensible-space or vegetation-clearance ordinance. Brush and combustible-vegetation hazards are addressed through the New Hampshire State Fire Code (NFPA 1, 2021 edition, adopted statewide effective August 13, 2024 under RSA 153) - including NFPA 1 provisions on outdoor accumulations of combustible waste - and through RSA 227-L (Woodland Fire Control), administered by the NH Division of Forests and Lands, which authorizes town forest fire wardens (the Nashua Fire Chief and designees) to require abatement of fire hazards on land adjacent to forest. Open burning of brush requires a Chapter 110 permit and a written RSA 227-L:17 permit from the forest fire warden.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in Nashua dwellings are required under New Hampshire RSA 153:10-a (Automatic Fire Warning Devices and Carbon Monoxide Detection Devices in Dwellings), the New Hampshire State Fire Code (NFPA 1, 2021 ed.; NFPA 101, 2021 ed.; NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code), and the New Hampshire State Building Code adoption of the 2021 IRC (R314 Smoke Alarms, R315 Carbon Monoxide Alarms) under RSA Chapter 155-A. Smoke alarms are required in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in any dwelling unit with an attached garage or any fuel-burning appliance. Owners are responsible for installation and maintenance in rental units.

A backyard fire in Nashua - including any fire pit, chiminea, burn barrel, or campfire fueled by anything other than charcoal - requires both a city permit from Nashua Fire Rescue under City Code § 110-2 (Chapter 110, Burning, Open) and a written forest-fire-warden permit under RSA 227-L:17 (Woodland Fire Control). Permits are free through nashuanh.burnpermits.com and come in three categories with structure setbacks of 25 feet (Category 1) or 50 feet (Categories 2 and 3). Burning is allowed only between 5:00 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting. Propane, natural gas, and charcoal cooking grills are exempt from the open-burning permit requirement. The State Fire Code (NFPA 1, 2021 ed., adopted August 13, 2024) supplies the underlying life-safety standard.

Propane and LP-gas storage and use in Nashua are governed by the New Hampshire State Fire Code, which adopts NFPA 1 (Uniform Fire Code), 2021 edition, effective August 13, 2024 under RSA 153. NFPA 1 incorporates NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) as the technical standard for LP-gas container storage, dispensing, transportation, and use. Residential consumer cylinders (typically 20-lb grill tanks) are allowed at one- and two-family dwellings with manufacturer-recommended clearances. Storage in public buildings is limited to 1-lb cylinders with a total of 200 lb of propane. Bulk and commercial installations require fire-prevention permits from the Nashua Fire Marshal under City Code Chapter 156 (Fire Prevention) and follow the separation distances in NFPA 58. Cooking grills on combustible balconies in multi-family buildings are restricted by NFPA 1.

Nashua bans on-street tractor-trailer parking citywide. NRO Section 320-67 (Article XII, Parking, Stopping and Standing) provides that 'it shall be unlawful for any tractor-trailer-truck, the tractor alone or the trailer alone to be left parked or stationed at any time, except during the actual loading or unloading of materials therefrom, on any public street or way in the City.' Lighter commercial vehicles are not subject to a citywide weight or length cap, but they are bound by NRO Section 320-78 (no overnight parking 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. without a permit on designated streets), NRO Section 320-67 (no stopping within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; no blocking driveways), and RSA 265:69 distance restrictions. Downtown metered parking applies to all vehicles in Zones I, II, III, and IV.

On-street loading zones in Nashua are designated by the City through the Nashua Traffic Engineering Department under Chapter 320 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Nashua Revised Ordinances. Tractor-trailer trucks have an explicit citywide on-street ban under NRO Section 320-67: 'It shall be unlawful for any tractor-trailer-truck, the tractor alone or the trailer alone to be left parked or stationed at any time, except during the actual loading or unloading of materials therefrom, on any public street or way in the City.' Off-street loading requirements for new development are set by the Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Chapter 190), which contains loading-space dimension standards including the 12-foot-by-45-foot loading space size used in commercial and industrial site plans. NH RSA 265:69 distance setbacks apply in all loading zones regardless of curb color.

Nashua's on-street RV, camper, travel-trailer, and boat-trailer parking is sharply limited by Chapter 320 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Nashua Revised Ordinances and by NH RSA 265:69. NRO Section 320-78 (Night Parking) makes it 'unlawful for an operator of any vehicle to park the vehicle for a period longer than two hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., daily, on any public way in the City where overnight on-street permit parking is not allowed,' so an RV cannot be stored overnight on most Nashua streets without a permit. RSA 265:69 prohibits stopping, standing, or parking on a sidewalk, within an intersection, on a crosswalk, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or within 20 feet of a fire-station driveway. New Hampshire has no statewide RV-on-residential-lot statute, so the Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Chapter 190) and private HOA / condominium covenants govern on-lot storage.

Nashua imposes a citywide overnight on-street parking ban. NRO Section 320-78 (Article XIII, Night Parking) provides: 'It is unlawful for an operator of any vehicle to park the vehicle for a period longer than two hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., daily, on any public way in the City where overnight on-street permit parking is not allowed,' and 'It is unlawful for an operator of any vehicle to park the vehicle for any time period between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., daily, without a permit on the public ways where overnight on-street permit parking is allowed.' The fine is 'a minimum of $25. If such fine is not paid within seven days, the fine shall increase by $10, to $35.' Annual overnight permits cost $10, are limited to 550 citywide, and are available only on designated streets. Free overnight parking is available at the High Street and Elm Street garages.

Snow emergency parking in Nashua is governed by NRO Section 320-67 (Article XII) and NRO Section 320-78 (Article XIII). NRO Section 320-67 provides: 'No person shall park or leave a motor vehicle on any public way or in a public parking lot, excluding City-owned parking garages, during a snow emergency, as declared by the Mayor or Director of Public Works,' and 'Any vehicle left parked on any public way or in a public parking lot, excluding City-owned parking garages, during a snow emergency may be towed as directed by the Chief of Police or his or her designee(s).' The 'penalty for violation shall be a minimum of $100.' Towed vehicles are taken to the Four Hills Landfill at 840 West Hollis Street, where owners pay a $315 fine (cash, money order, or credit card only) plus 'a daily storage fee' that begins after 24 hours. Free parking during snow emergencies is available at the High Street and Elm Street City-owned garages.

On-street parking in Nashua is governed by Chapter 320 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Nashua Revised Ordinances, with Article XI (Parking Meters), Article XII (Parking, Stopping and Standing), Article XIII (Night Parking), and Article XIA (Parking Permits) as the operative articles, layered on top of NH RSA 265:69. Downtown is metered in four zones: Zone I (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Sundays, 2-hour limit), Zone II (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Sundays, 3-hour limit), Zone III (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays), and Zone IV ($2.00/hour first three hours, $4.00/hour thereafter, in effect since January 1, 2025). RSA 265:69 sets statewide distance setbacks: 15 feet from a fire hydrant, 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection, no parking on a sidewalk, in an intersection, on a crosswalk, or within 20 feet of a fire-station driveway. NRO 320-67 sets a $50 minimum fine for hydrant violations and a sidewalk fine of '$50, and if not paid within seven days, the fine shall increase to $60.'

Nashua operates public Level 2 EV charging stations at the Elm Street Parking Garage (14 Elm Street), located on the lower level next to the Transit Center. The Elm Street garage hosts three Level 2 charging spaces; the city offers free charging on weekends, with regular parking rates applying during weekdays. New Hampshire has NOT enacted a right-to-charge statute - the comprehensive right-to-charge laws are in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon, and the District of Columbia only - so Nashua condominium associations and HOAs may still restrict or condition EV charger installations under their governing documents. Residential Level 2 (240V) installations require an electrical permit through the Nashua Building Safety Division and must be performed by a licensed electrician under the adopted state codes.

Abandoned vehicles in Nashua are governed by NRO Chapter 315 (Vehicles, Abandoned) and NRO Chapter 306 (Towing), implemented under NH RSA 262 (Antitheft Laws, Offenses, Penalties, Habitual Offenders, Arrest of Nonresidents and Abandoned Vehicles). Chapter 315 defines an abandoned vehicle as any motor vehicle that remains standing in one place for more than 48 hours under circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the vehicle has been abandoned. The local fine is at least $200, and the owner is responsible for the cost of towing. RSA 262:40-c provides that a vehicle is considered abandoned if 'left for more than 24 hours without the appropriate permission' or left at a storage facility after 'given 10 days' notice to redeem it.' RSA 262:40-a authorizes removal from private property by the owner or a peace officer.

Driveway-related parking in Nashua is governed by NRO Section 320-67 (Article XII, Parking, Stopping and Standing). The ordinance provides that 'at no time shall any vehicle be stationed in front of any private driveway, or within two feet of any private driveway on either side thereof, or across the street from any driveway so as to impede the free movement of vehicles using such private driveway.' A violation carries a $50 fine, increasing by $10 to $60 if not paid within seven days, and the violator 'shall be responsible for the cost of towing or moving fees.' Driveway construction, width, and curb-cut standards are set by the Nashua Land Use Code (NRO Chapter 190) and require an Engineering Department street-opening permit when work occurs in the public right-of-way.

Curb markings and pavement markings on Nashua public streets are installed and maintained only by the City of Nashua Traffic Engineering Department under federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards. The Nashua Traffic Engineering page states the department 'plans, improves and maintains walkways and traffic control through traffic signals, pavement markings and street signs' and 'performs technical reviews and provides recommendations on traffic related ordinances and safety issues that include traffic signs, pavement markings, and other engineered traffic devices.' Residents and adjacent property owners may not paint, alter, or add markings to a public curb. Even where curb paint is faded or absent, NH RSA 265:69 and NRO Section 320-67 distance setbacks (15 ft from a fire hydrant, 20 ft from a crosswalk, no parking on sidewalks or in front of driveways) apply by default.

Nashua's strictest oversized-vehicle rule applies to tractor-trailers: NRO Section 320-67 provides that 'it shall be unlawful for any tractor-trailer-truck, the tractor alone or the trailer alone to be left parked or stationed at any time, except during the actual loading or unloading of materials therefrom, on any public street or way in the City.' Other oversized vehicles - RVs, motor homes, large box trucks, buses - are not subject to a citywide weight or length cap but are bound by NRO Section 320-78 (no overnight parking 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. without a permit on designated streets), NRO Section 320-67 (15-ft hydrant setback, no driveway-blocking, no sidewalk parking), and RSA 265:69 distance setbacks. State commercial-vehicle dimension and weight limits are in NH RSA 266 (Size, Weight, Equipment and Standards). HOA and condominium covenants commonly impose additional, stricter limits on visible oversized vehicles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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'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'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 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.

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 does not publish a separate prohibited-species list in its Revised Ordinances (ecode360 NA2698). Overgrown weeds and noxious vegetation are abated under the City's general nuisance authority enforced by Code Enforcement (Building Safety Department). New Hampshire's statewide prohibited invasive plant list is administered by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food under RSA 430:53 and Agr 3800, which makes it unlawful to collect, transport, import, export, move, buy, sell, distribute, propagate, or transplant any listed prohibited invasive plant species.

Nashua does not set a fixed inch-height standard for residential grass in its Revised Ordinances (ecode360 NA2698). Overgrown grass, weeds, and other vegetation are addressed through the City's nuisance-abatement framework administered by Code Enforcement (Building Safety Department) and through the landscape-maintenance provisions of Chapter 190 Article XXVII for sites subject to an approved landscape plan. Site landscape material that is required as part of an approved site plan must be maintained in a healthy, growing condition and replaced when necessary.

The Nashua Board of Public Works has cognizance, direction and full control of the planting and care of trees standing in the streets and public ways. Routine pruning of healthy trees on private property is not subject to a Nashua permit. Trees within the public right-of-way, on parks, or other public land are maintained by the City; residents must obtain Board of Public Works authorization before pruning, removing, or otherwise altering a street tree or other public tree. Eversource and other utilities prune for line clearance under their easements.

Rainwater harvesting is legal in Nashua. New Hampshire has no statute prohibiting residential rain barrels, cisterns, or roof-runoff capture, and NH DES actively promotes rain-barrel use through its Soak Up the Rain New Hampshire program. Nashua does not impose a permit on a simple downspout-fed rain barrel. Plumbed cisterns connected to building plumbing — particularly for indoor non-potable reuse — require permits from the Nashua Building Safety Department and must comply with the NH State Building Code (IPC Chapter 13 / Appendix C) and NH DES rules for backflow prevention on any cross-connection with the Pennichuck public water supply.

Nashua does not mandate native plants in private landscapes. Chapter 190 Article XXVII Landscaping requires that all shade trees in required landscape material be hardy for the Nashua botanical zone and encourages inclusion of existing trees in the landscape design. Public outreach through the Nashua Conservation Commission and NH DES Soak Up the Rain program promotes native and pollinator-friendly plantings, particularly in wetland buffers and the Nashua River and Merrimack River corridors. New Hampshire has no statewide HOA xeriscape protection statute.

Nashua is served by Pennichuck Water Works (Pennichuck Corporation), a publicly owned utility under the Pennichuck East Utility / Pennichuck Water umbrella. Pennichuck enforces a four-level water restriction schedule that operates year-round: Level 1 odd/even house-number lawn watering; Level 2 two assigned days per week between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; Level 3 one assigned day per week between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; Level 4 total outdoor water ban. Hand-held hoses and watering cans are permitted for vegetable and flower gardens any day. Small kiddie pools (6 feet or less in diameter, 12 inches deep or less) may be filled any day.

Tree removal on private residential property in Nashua is generally not subject to a City removal permit, except where the tree is in a designated wetland or wetland buffer (Article XI of Chapter 190), within required landscape material under Article XXVII, designated for retention on an approved site plan, or in a regulated conservation area. The Board of Public Works has full control over the removal of any tree standing in a Nashua street or public way. NH RSA 231:145 governs the declaration and removal of public-highway trees deemed nuisances.

The Nashua Revised Ordinances do not contain a code provision specifically prohibiting or permitting artificial turf in residential or commercial landscapes. Where landscape material is required under Chapter 190 Article XXVII, the standards reference living plant material — trees, shrubs, and ground cover — so synthetic turf cannot substitute for required landscape area on a site-plan-approved development. On private single-family residential lots, artificial turf is permitted, but installations with impermeable backing may count as impervious surface for stormwater and wetland-buffer calculations under Article XI and the City's NPDES MS4 stormwater rules.

Nashua Land Use Code Sec. 190-20 (Article VI Supplemental Use Regulations) permits home occupations in residential districts in two tiers. A Minor Home Occupation allows no nonresident employees and up to 20 percent of dwelling floor area or 200 sq ft (whichever is less), reviewed administratively by the Administrative Officer. A Major Home Occupation allows 1 nonresident employee and up to 30 percent of floor area or 300 sq ft (whichever is less), except child day care which may use up to 420 sq ft, and requires Zoning Board of Adjustment approval as a special exception.

Nashua Land Use Code Sec. 190-20 limits home occupation signage to a single non-illuminated sign of 2 sq ft or less identifying only the occupant's name and address. Window signs, A-frames, banners, and freestanding monument signs advertising the home business are prohibited in all residential districts. Article X (Sec. 190-200 et seq. Signs) sets a separate sign permit requirement through the Department of Building Safety.

Nashua Land Use Code Sec. 190-20 expressly addresses child day-care facilities as Major Home Occupations, permitting up to 420 sq ft of dwelling floor area (versus 300 sq ft for other Major occupations). NH RSA 170-E and N.H. Admin. Code He-C 4002 license Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) for up to 6 unrelated children plus up to 3 school-age children before/after school. A NH DHHS Child Care Licensing license is required for care of 4 or more children, including the operator's own.

Nashua requires every home occupation to obtain approval under Sec. 190-20 before operation begins. Minor Home Occupations file an application with the Administrative Officer (Department of Building Safety) and receive a Certificate of Use and Occupancy administratively. Major Home Occupations require a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment under Sec. 190-180 with a public hearing. New Hampshire has no statewide municipal business license, but NH Secretary of State LLC/corporation filings and any trade-specific state licenses still apply.

Nashua Land Use Code Sec. 190-20 requires home occupations not to significantly change the residential character of the property. Minor Home Occupations allow no nonresident employees and effectively limit on-site client traffic to occasional one-on-one visits. Major Home Occupations allow 1 nonresident employee and are subject to Zoning Board of Adjustment conditions on traffic, parking, and hours. Off-street parking standards in Sec. 190-160 require adequate driveway capacity to avoid spillover onto the street.

New Hampshire RSA 143-A (Homestead Food Operations) authorizes Nashua residents to sell non-potentially hazardous homemade foods directly to consumers without a license up to $35,000 in gross annual sales. Above $35,000 or for wholesale/internet/mail order, a Class H Homestead Food License ($150) from NH DHHS is required. Allowed products: breads, cookies, jams, jellies, candies, fudge, dry mixes, pickles, fruit pies. Nashua Sec. 190-20 requires a Minor or Major Home Occupation approval in addition to the state food framework.

Residential pool fencing in Nashua follows the 2021 ISPSC adopted under NRO Sec. 105-25 (per RSA 155-A as updated by HB 1681, effective December 31, 2024). 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 prohibits openings allowing passage of a 4-inch sphere. Section 305.5 requires self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward, with the release on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top when the release is below 54 inches. Section 305.6 governs dwelling walls used as part of the barrier.

Residential swimming pool permits in Nashua are issued by the Department of Building Safety under NRO Chapter 105, which adopts the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, and 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code per New Hampshire's State Building Code (RSA 155-A, as updated by HB 1681 effective December 31, 2024). NRO Sec. 105-22.A.(2) treats 'in-ground swimming pools' as part of the building permit fee schedule (residential at $0.18 per square foot, $50 application fee). Electrical permits for in-ground pools cost $60 per NRO Sec. 105-22.C.(1)(g). Public pools are also regulated by NH DES under RSA 485-A:26 and Env-Wq 1100 per NRO Sec. 105-26.B.

Hot tubs and spas in Nashua follow the 2021 ISPSC adopted under NRO Sec. 105-25 (per RSA 155-A). Under ISPSC Section 305.7, spas and hot tubs equipped with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346 are exempt from the barrier provisions of Section 305 (the 48-inch fence requirement). A building permit through the Department of Building Safety is required for installation; electrical permits per NRO Sec. 105-22.C apply. Public spas (e.g., commercial, hotel, or HOA spas serving 15+ dwellings) are additionally regulated by NH DES under RSA 485-A:26 and Env-Wq 1100 per NRO Sec. 105-26.B.

Residential pool safety in Nashua is governed by the 2021 ISPSC adopted under NRO Sec. 105-25. Key safety provisions: 48-inch barrier (Sec. 305.2.1), 4-inch sphere rule (Sec. 305.3), self-closing/self-latching gates that open outward (Sec. 305.5), dwelling-wall doors leading to the pool must have an alarm meeting UL 2017 or be self-closing/self-latching (Sec. 305.6), and an approved safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346 may serve as an alternative for hot tubs and spas. Public pools also follow RSA 485-A:26 and NH DES Env-Wq 1100 per NRO Sec. 105-26.B, including federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act drain-cover requirements.

Converting a Nashua garage to habitable space requires a building permit and electrical permit from the Department of Building Safety under the NH State Building Code (IRC change of occupancy from U to R-3). If the conversion adds a kitchen and separate entrance, the result is an Accessory Dwelling Unit governed by NH RSA 674:71-:73 (HB 577, 7/1/2025) — Nashua must permit the conversion by-right even where the existing garage does not meet current setbacks, and the ADU may be up to 750-950 sq ft.

Effective July 1, 2025, NH RSA 674:71-:73 (as amended by HB 577) requires Nashua and every NH municipality to allow one accessory dwelling unit (attached or detached) by-right on every single-family lot, with no minimum size below 750 sq ft and a default maximum of 950 sq ft. Nashua's pre-2025 Sec. 190-32 capped ADUs at 30 percent of the principal dwelling or 700 sq ft, required owner occupancy, and limited rental to family — those provisions are now preempted by state law to the extent they conflict. Existing detached structures (garages, barns) may be converted regardless of current setback nonconformity.

Nashua Land Use Code Sec. 190-31 (Accessory Buildings) treats unattached carports as detached accessory structures subject to a typical 4 ft side/rear setback, behind-the-front-facade rule, and the underlying district's dimensional standards in Sec. 190-16. Construction requires a building permit through the Nashua Department of Building Safety under the NH State Building Code, with engineered anchorage for the 115 mph basic wind speed in Hillsborough County. Attached carports follow the principal building's setbacks.

Nashua does not require a building permit for a shed of 200 sq ft or less, but a Land Use Permit (zoning) is required from the Nashua Department of Building Safety regardless of shed size to confirm setback compliance under Sec. 190-16 and Sec. 190-31 (accessory buildings). A plot plan showing shed location must be submitted. Sheds in residential zones (R-40, R-30, R-18, R-9, R-A, R-B) typically must meet a 4 ft side/rear accessory setback and sit behind the principal building's front facade.

NH RSA 674:74 defines tiny houses as small structures intended for year-round occupancy that meet the NH State Building Code and may be on a permanent foundation or chassis. Where Nashua permits detached ADUs under RSA 674:73 (it must, as of 7/1/2025), it must permit a single tiny house as a detached ADU — but a lot may have either an ADU or a tiny house, not both. Tiny houses must include facilities for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation and meet all single-family building, fire, safety, and utility codes. Park-model RVs and tiny houses on wheels not meeting the State Building Code are not permitted as permanent dwellings.

Erosion and sedimentation control on Nashua construction sites is regulated under Chapter 190 (Land Use), Part 4, Article XXXI (Stormwater Management) and is layered with NHDES Alteration of Terrain (AoT) permitting under RSA 485-A:17 and Env-Wq 1500, plus EPA's Construction General Permit (CGP) for sites disturbing one acre or more. Article XXXI requires erosion and sedimentation controls to be properly installed and to prevent impacts during construction and post-construction land disturbance activities. Sites that drain to a common point with 10 or more acres disturbed at one time must provide a temporary or permanent sediment basin sized to store runoff from a 2-year, 24-hour storm.

Nashua's floodplain regulations are codified in Chapter 190 (Land Use), Part 2, Article VII — the City of Nashua Floodplain Development Ordinance — administered by the Building Safety Department and the Division of Public Works (Waterways). The ordinance applies to all lands designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A, AO, and AE) by FEMA's Flood Insurance Study for Hillsborough County, New Hampshire dated September 25, 2009, together with the associated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) dated September 25, 2009, including revised panels 33011C0514E and 33011C0652E dated April 18, 2011. Nashua joined the NFIP on June 15, 1979. Principal flood sources are the Nashua River, the Merrimack River, Salmon Brook, and Pennichuck Brook. The May 2006 and May 2007 Mother's Day flood events on the Nashua and Souhegan rivers were benchmark events that drove the post-2009 FIRM update.

Grading and drainage review in Nashua sits at the intersection of Chapter 190 (Land Use) Article XXVI (Grading and Removal of Soil), Article XXXI (Stormwater Management), Article VII (Floodplain Development), and the New Hampshire State Building Code adopted under RSA 155-A. Loam, clay, sod, sand, and gravel may not be taken from land except after application and issuance of a permit from the Administrative Officer after consultation with the City Engineer. Excavation for buildings, farm ponds, swimming pools, streets, and driveways is exempt from the soil-removal permit. Larger projects require NHDES Alteration of Terrain (AoT) permits under RSA 485-A:17 when disturbance exceeds 100,000 contiguous square feet (or 50,000 square feet in protected shoreland).

Nashua is a regulated Small MS4 community under EPA's 2017 New Hampshire NPDES Phase II Small MS4 General Permit (NPDES Permit Tracking No. NHR041025; permit became effective July 1, 2018). The city's Stormwater Management Program is codified in Chapter 190 (Land Use), Part 4, Article XXXI (Stormwater Management) of the Nashua Revised Ordinances on eCode360. Engineering review and the NHPDES MS4 program are administered by the Division of Public Works. Discharges drain to the Nashua River, the Merrimack River, Salmon Brook, and Pennichuck Brook (the city's drinking-water source watershed, served by Pennichuck Water Works).

Home cultivation of cannabis — recreational or medical — is prohibited statewide in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is the only state in New England that has not legalized adult-use cannabis: HB 1633 (2024), the most recent legalization vehicle, was killed by the House on June 13, 2024 after a failed Senate compromise. Possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less by an adult is a civil violation under RSA 318-B:2-c (a $100 fine for a first or second offense, $300 for a third within three years, and a class B misdemeanor for a fourth within three years), but cultivation of any amount remains a criminal offense under RSA 318-B:2. The therapeutic cannabis program under RSA 126-X allows qualifying patients to purchase product from an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC), but does NOT authorize patient home grow — cultivation is the exclusive function of state-licensed ATCs.

Nashua has no recreational cannabis dispensaries because New Hampshire has no recreational cannabis market — HB 1633 (2024), the most recent adult-use legalization vehicle, was killed in the House on June 13, 2024. The only legally operating cannabis retailers in New Hampshire are therapeutic-cannabis Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services under RSA 126-X:7. As of 2026, the seven operating ATC dispensary locations are Sanctuary ATC (Plymouth and Conway), Temescal Wellness (Keene, Lebanon, and Dover), and GraniteLeaf Cannabis (Merrimack and Chichester); none of those sites are in Nashua. ATC siting in any New Hampshire municipality is governed by local zoning, and Nashua's Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) has not designated specific zones for ATCs.

Solar PV installations in Nashua require a building permit from the Building Safety Department at Nashua City Hall (229 Main Street) under Chapter 158 (Building Code), Article II, which adopts the New Hampshire State Building Code under RSA 155-A. A separate electrical permit is also required and is reviewed under the National Electrical Code as adopted by the NH State Building Code. Nashua's Permit Fee Schedule sets the residential building-permit fee at $0.18 per square foot of area affected, plus a $35 filing fee and a $25 Land Use review fee; commercial solar energy systems are billed at $0.65 per $100 of construction cost. Nashua administers the state-authorized Solar Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption under RSA 72:62, with applications due to the Assessing Department by April 15.

New Hampshire does NOT have a statewide solar-access override statute comparable to Colorado, Florida, Texas, or California. The state's solar statutes — RSA 477:49, RSA 477:50, and RSA 477:51 — authorize VOLUNTARY solar skyspace easements that must be negotiated and recorded by the property owners involved, but they do NOT void HOA covenants that restrict solar installations. A Nashua HOA whose declaration or rules prohibit or limit rooftop or ground-mount solar can generally enforce those restrictions absent a separately negotiated solar skyspace easement. Disputes are resolved in Hillsborough County Superior Court under contract and condominium-association law.

Nashua does not impose a calendar-based take-down deadline for residential holiday lights or seasonal decorations, and they are not treated as 'signs' subject to Chapter 190 Article X permitting when they convey only a non-commercial holiday message. Practical limits come from Chapter 285 (Streets and Sidewalks) right-of-way obstruction rules and Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) exterior-property-maintenance rules. HOAs may impose additional aesthetic standards.

Garage and yard sale signs in Nashua fall under the temporary-sign rules of Chapter 190 § 190-106. Only one ground or wall temporary sign is permitted per premises (max 32 square feet, max 8 feet tall, 10-foot setback from the public right-of-way). No temporary sign may be located in the public right-of-way or on public property. The Administrator may remove any temporary or portable sign erected upon or projecting into public property.

Nashua regulates signs through Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) Article X, sections 190-97 through 190-108. The code is content-neutral: any sign authorized by the chapter may contain non-commercial copy in lieu of any other copy. Political signs are exempt from the cumulative number and cumulative sign-area limits that otherwise apply. New Hampshire RSA 664:17 separately governs political advertising statewide — it bars placement on utility poles and highway signs and requires removal no later than the second Friday after the election.

Vacant lots in Nashua are held to the same exterior-maintenance standard as occupied properties under Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) Article V: all exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Vegetation that obstructs the public right-of-way is enforceable under Chapter 285 (Streets and Sidewalks). The Land Use Code Chapter 190 governs zoning compliance for vacant parcels.

Nashua addresses property blight primarily through Chapter 182 (Housing Standards), Article V Structural Standards. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Exterior walls and trim must be free from holes, breaks, and loose or rotted boards, and must be kept painted, treated, sided, or otherwise maintained so as to be substantially weatherproof and neat in appearance. Accessory structures must be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. Enforcement is handled by Code Enforcement within the Community Development Division.

Nashua regulates residential trash and recycling under Chapter 270 (Solid Waste) and the Board of Public Works rules. Automated collection requires the City-issued cart — no other containers are accepted. Carts must be set out no earlier than 7:00 a.m. the day before collection and no later than 6:45 a.m. on collection day. Containers cannot be stored between collections in front yards or forward of the building line when other outdoor space is available. The Solid Waste Department operates the program; bulky items must be scheduled.

Nashua requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) Article V states all sidewalks, walkways, steps, and driveways shall be kept free of snow, ice, and other debris hazardous to the public. Chapter 285 § 285-28 prohibits pushing, blowing, or putting snow, ice, or yard debris into any street, lane, alley, or sidewalk right-of-way. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 per NRO § 1-12.

Nashua does not codify a numeric annual cap on residential garage, yard, or estate sales and does not require a separate municipal permit for an occasional household sale. The constraints come from Chapter 190 § 190-106 sign rules (one on-premise temporary sign, max 32 sq ft, 30 days, 10-foot ROW setback) and from Chapter 231 (Peddling, Soliciting and Vending), which would treat a recurring or commercial-volume sale as vendor activity requiring a City Clerk vendor license.

Nashua regulates outdoor lighting through Chapter 190 (Land Use Code), Article IX (Lighting), of the City Code. The intent is to reduce problems created by improperly designed and installed outdoor lighting by limiting total area and total allowable illumination of lots within the city. Luminaires rated 1,800 lumens or less (and flood/spot luminaires rated 900 lumens or less) may be used without distribution or mounting-height restrictions, except that any spot/flood directed toward residential buildings or creating glare for motorists must be redirected, reduced, or shielded. Luminaires above those thresholds must not emit more than 3% direct light above a horizontal plane, must be mounted at a height no greater than 3 + (D/3) feet (D = distance to nearest property line) up to a maximum 25 feet, and total light levels at any property line are capped at 0.2 footcandles. A lighting plan is required for subdivision and site plan approval (§ 190-275). New Hampshire has no statewide dark-sky statute.

Residential trash and recycling collection in Nashua is provided directly by the City of Nashua Division of Public Works, Solid Waste Department — not by a private contractor. Weekly curbside pickup of trash and seasonal soft yard waste serves most residences, and single-stream recycling is collected biweekly on the same day as trash pickup, using an alternating Week A / Week B schedule. Customer service contact is 603-589-3410. The Solid Waste Department also operates the Four Hills Landfill at 840 West Hollis Street and the Nashua Recycling Center. Overflow trash that does not fit in the cart with the lid closed must be tagged with a $5 sticker or hauled to the landfill.

The City of Nashua Division of Public Works, Solid Waste Department, picks up the first 5 oversized items per residential account per year at NO charge through its curbside bulky-item program; additional items are $25 each. Curbside oversize pickup runs mid-April through mid-October only. Requests must be submitted by Friday afternoon for the following week's pickup. Electronics and construction and demolition (C&D) debris are NOT collected curbside but can be brought to the Four Hills Landfill / Nashua Recycling Center at 840 West Hollis Street. Household hazardous waste is handled at scheduled HHW collection events. Effective July 1, 2025, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are prohibited from NH landfills and incinerators.

The City of Nashua Division of Public Works, Solid Waste Department, requires automated-collection carts to be positioned at the road edge, within 2 feet of the curb, with at least 3 feet of separation from mailboxes, fences, utility poles, and recycling bins, and at least 10 feet from parked vehicles. The cart handle must face the house. Carts must be set out no earlier than 24 hours before pickup, must be at the curb by 6:45 a.m. on collection day, and must be returned off the public right-of-way by the end of the collection day. Cart lids must be fully closed; overflow carts are skipped.

Federal law (FAA Part 107 and 49 U.S.C. § 44809) governs U.S. airspace and preempts local altitude/flight-path regulation. Nashua sits inside Class D controlled airspace at Nashua Airport (Boire Field, KASH) — recreational flyers need LAANC authorization to fly there. New Hampshire has no statewide drone preemption ordinance and no municipal drone ordinance in Nashua, but RSA 207:57 prohibits drone surveillance of lawful hunters/anglers/trappers, and RSA 644:9 (voyeurism) and trespass law apply.

Nashua food trucks operate under Chapter 231 (Peddling, Soliciting and Vending). No person may act as a vendor in the City unless licensed by the City Clerk. Ice cream and canteen truck vendors are expressly permitted in residential zones in accordance with city ordinances. Street-fair vendor licenses define a geographic area in which the licensed vendor has priority. Vendor license fees: $10/day, $25/week, or $100/year. Underlying zoning under Chapter 190 controls long-term private-property operations.

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.

Nashua Land Use Code Sec. 190-16 (Dimensional Regulations / Dimensional Matrix) sets minimum lot area, frontage, and yard setbacks for each zoning district. Residential districts include R-40 (40,000 sq ft min lot, lowest density), R-30 (30,000 sq ft), R-18 (18,000 sq ft), R-9 (9,000 sq ft), R-A (medium density), R-B (higher density), and R-C (high-density urban). Detached accessory structures (sheds, carports, ADUs) follow Sec. 190-31 / 190-32 with a typical 4 ft side/rear setback. NH RSA 674:72 prohibits Nashua from imposing additional setbacks on ADUs beyond the single-family district standards.

Nashua's tree-protection framework rests on four pillars: (1) the Board of Public Works' City Charter authority over all trees standing in streets and public ways; (2) Chapter 190 Article XI (Wetlands) protection of trees in delineated wetlands and buffers; (3) Chapter 190 Article XXVII (Landscaping) requirements for required landscape material on site-plan-approved developments; and (4) the Tree City USA program's tree-care ordinance, per-capita budget, and Arbor Day proclamation. New Hampshire's statewide tree-warden statute is RSA 231:139 (Title XX, Transportation), and public shade-tree protection is governed by RSA 231:139-158.

Nashua does not have a dedicated heritage, specimen, or champion tree designation program in its Revised Ordinances. Public trees standing in Nashua streets and public ways are protected under the Board of Public Works' general authority and NH RSA 231:139 et seq.; private trees are protected only insofar as they fall within an Article XI wetland buffer, are required landscape material under Article XXVII, or were designated for retention on an approved site plan. The NH Big Tree Program (UNH Cooperative Extension) maintains the statewide register of champion trees by species.

Nashua does not require a general tree-removal permit on private residential lots. City review attaches only when (1) the tree stands in a wetland or wetland buffer under Article XI of Chapter 190, (2) the tree is required landscape material under Article XXVII, (3) the tree was designated for retention on an approved site plan or subdivision plat, or (4) the tree stands in a Nashua street or other public way — in which case Board of Public Works approval is required. NH DES Wetlands Permits under RSA 482-A may also be required for tree removal in wetlands and wetland buffers.

Chapter 190 Article XXVII of the Nashua Land Use Code requires that all required landscape material — including required shade trees — be maintained in a healthy, growing condition. Dead, diseased, or damaged required plantings must be replaced in the next appropriate planting season. Replacement trees must meet the same Article XXVII standards: deciduous shade trees with a minimum trunk caliper of 2½ inches measured 6 inches above grade, or evergreen trees at least 6 feet tall, hardy for the Nashua botanical zone. Removal or destruction of a tree in a Nashua street or public way may also require replacement to the satisfaction of the Board of Public Works.

Nashua codifies the only explicit numeric dBA cap in its noise framework for HVAC / mechanical equipment in Chapter 190 (Land Use Code). Mechanical appurtenances (heating and air-conditioning equipment) may be located on the exterior portion of structures, but shall include any necessary sound buffer and/or noise attenuation equipment sufficient to reduce sound levels to 50 decibels daytime (7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.) and 45 decibels nighttime (8:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.), measured at residential zoning district boundaries. The Nashua City Planning Board site-plan checklist incorporates this standard.

Nashua does NOT have a bamboo-specific ordinance. Bamboo is NOT on New Hampshire's Prohibited Invasive Species list (NH Code of Admin. Rules Agr 3800, administered by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, Division of Plant Industry under RSA 430:53). The state prohibited invasive list focuses on Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose, autumn olive, burning bush, and other regulated species - not on bamboo. Cross-property bamboo spread in Nashua is generally a private common-law nuisance matter; the City may cite overgrown vegetation that creates a nuisance, sight obstruction, or right-of-way encroachment under general nuisance and lot-maintenance provisions.