Manchester, NH Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing agency
- Manchester City Clerk
- License term
- Annual, expires April 30
- Annual fee
- $150 ($25 temporary)
- Insurance required
- $500,000 minimum liability coverage
- Background check
- 5-year certified criminal record
Summary
Manchester requires anyone peddling door-to-door or on the street, including canvassers who solicit orders for later delivery, to hold an annual City Clerk license.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of a peddler within the city without first having secured a license therefor. The license shall be an annual license expiring on April 30 of each year. Each license issued pursuant to this subchapter shall be conspicuously displayed. The City Clerk may issue a temporary license for peddlers, following the same procedure as for the issuance of an annual license.
(B) Application for a peddler's license shall be made to the City Clerk upon a form to be determined by the City Clerk. The application shall include:
(1) The name, home and business address of the applicant, and the name and the address of the owner, if other than the applicant, of the business and of any stand or motor vehicle to be used in the operation of the business.
(2) Two recent passport photographs of the applicant, or photographs of such size as previously approved by the City Clerk.
(3) A complete certified criminal record of the applicant obtained from the Criminal Records Division, State Police, Department of Safety, State of New Hampshire, and/or from the appropriate out-of state agency or agencies if not a resident of the state for the five years preceding the application.
(4) A description of the type of food, beverage, merchandise, or service to be sold, and in the case of products of farm or orchard, whether produced or grown by the applicant.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
Manchester's peddler ordinance is broad: it covers not just cart and truck vendors but anyone who travels house to house or street to street selling goods or soliciting orders for later delivery, plus anyone soliciting sign-ups for home repair or siding contracts. A license from the City Clerk is mandatory before starting, runs annually to April 30, and must be conspicuously displayed. Applicants submit photos, a five-year certified criminal background check, business details, and proof of $500,000 minimum liability insurance. People invited onto residential property by the owner, and IRS-defined direct sellers, are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Peddling without a license, or violating the license conditions, is punishable under the city's general penalty section, § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Manchester's peddler license cover door-to-door solicitors, not just cart vendors?
Is a license needed to sell at someone's invitation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
Compare Manchester to another location·View the New Hampshire soliciting & door-to-door overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Solicitor Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle solicitor permits.