Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Manchester requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Manchester Code of Ordinances § 90.04. The set ticket for a first offense is $100, and $200 for a repeat. You are also required to carry a means of removal whenever you walk your dog.
What the Manchester ordinance says
| Ordinance | Manchester Code of Ordinances § 90.04 (Dog Fouling Prohibition); citation penalties in § 38.06 |
|---|---|
| Fine | $100 |
| Repeat offense | $200 |
| Must carry a bag | Yes |
| Service animal exemption | Yes |
How the penalty works
The citation penalty table in § 38.06(A)(1) lists § 90.04 at $100 (first offense), $200 (second offense) and a court appearance for a third offense. Under § 38.06(A)(2), a penalty not paid within 7 days of the citation doubles, up to $1,000. Read from Internet Archive captures of the city's American Legal Publishing code (§ 90.04 captured 2024-05-23, § 38.06 captured 2025-10-20) because codelibrary.amlegal.com blocks automated access; § 38.06 amendment history runs through an ordinance passed 9-3-19.
The carry rule
§ 90.04(A)(1) makes it unlawful to fail to carry any article or means to remove feces while with a dog on any sidewalk, street, public area, or private property the walker does not own or occupy; § 90.04(A)(2)(a) defines the means as a plastic bag, tool, implement or other device. Exemption: § 90.04(B) exempts a dog accompanying a person who is mentally or physically impaired and unable to comply.
How Manchester compares
Manchester is the only one of the largest cities in New Hampshire we checked with a set ticket amount. The others leave the figure to a judge. Manchester is also stricter than Concord on carrying: here the empty pocket is itself the offense.
In practice
Because Manchester requires you to carry a way to clean up, the simplest way to stay on the right side of it is to keep bags on the leash itself, so they leave the house every time the dog does. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in New Hampshire
New Hampshire dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Nashua dog poop law · Concord dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Manchester municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
