Nashua, NH Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Nashua's principal property-maintenance/blight authority sits in Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) of the Nashua Revised Ordinances. The chapter's purpose is to maintain minimum standards essential to make dwellings safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. Article V (Structural Standards) sets the exterior-maintenance rules used by Code Enforcement: (1) All exterior walls and trim shall be free from holes, breaks, and loose or rotted boards, and all siding material shall be kept free from defects. (2) All exterior walls and trim shall be kept painted, treated, sided, or otherwise maintained so as to be substantially weatherproof and neat in appearance. (3) All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. (4) All accessory structures, including detached garages, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. (5) All sidewalks, walkways, steps, and driveways shall be kept free of snow, ice, and other debris hazardous to the public. The Code Enforcement Department within the Community Development Division administers the chapter and is housed at City Hall, 229 Main Street (603-589-3100). The Department's mission is to assure compliance with city housing and zoning ordinances to protect the environment, health and safety of the community, maintain property values, and maintain an aesthetically pleasing environment. Enforcement is typically complaint-driven and proceeds by written notice of violation with an opportunity to abate; persistent violations are enforceable as municipal code violations subject to NRO § 1-12 general penalties (up to $1,000 per offense). Junk vehicles and accumulated debris that rise to nuisance level are also reachable as a public nuisance under New Hampshire's general nuisance and zoning enforcement framework.