on September 10, 2026

New Hampshire Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: New Hampshire has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. Manchester publishes a set ticket of $100.

Why New Hampshire leaves it to cities

New Hampshire has no statewide pickup (scoop) mandate, but its dog nuisance statute applies everywhere in the state and names excrement: under RSA 466:31 II(c) a dog is a nuisance if it 'digs, scratches, or excretes, or causes waste or garbage to be scattered on property other than its owner's.' The civil forfeiture under RSA 466:31-a II(a) is a warning for the first nuisance offense, $50 for a second within 12 months, and $100 for a third or later within 12 months. The same statute treats a dog 'at large' (off the owner's premises and not under control) as a nuisance (RSA 466:31 II(a)). It does not require carrying bags; cities add their own scoop ordinances. RSA 466:39 lets local governing bodies adopt additional dog bylaws with penalties up to $50. Verified 2026-09-10.

  • Dog nuisance conditions, including excreting on another's property and being at large: N.H. RSA 466:31, II(a) and II(c) (read it)
  • Civil forfeiture schedule for nuisance offenses (warning, $50, $100): N.H. RSA 466:31-a, II(a) (read it)
  • Local dog bylaws with penalties up to $50: N.H. RSA 466:39 (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in New Hampshire's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Manchester Manchester Code of Ordinances § 90.04 (Dog Fouling Prohibition); citation penalties in § 38.06 $100 Yes
Nashua Nashua City Code § 93-8 (Dog waste); penalty via § 93-14 and § 1-12 Up to $1,000 Yes
Concord Concord Code of Ordinances §§ 12-1-1 and 12-1-2; park rule § 6-1-5(g) $50 to $1,000 No

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Manchester and Nashua, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about New Hampshire

  • RSA 466:31 II(c) is a statewide statute that names dog excrement: a dog that excretes on property other than its owner's is a statutory nuisance anywhere in New Hampshire, with a warning, then $50, then $100 within 12 months (RSA 466:31-a).
  • Concord § 12-1-2 prohibits letting a dog defecate on someone else's private property at all, even if it is picked up afterward.
  • Manchester citation fines double if not paid within 7 days (up to $1,000), and a third dog fouling offense requires a court appearance (§ 38.06).
  • Nashua has required walkers to carry a means of removal since 1996 (§ 93-8, added by Ord. No. O-96-51).

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in New Hampshire?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in New Hampshire?

It depends on the city. Manchester: $100. Nashua: Up to $1,000. Concord: $50 to $1,000.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in New Hampshire?

In Manchester and Nashua, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Are service dog handlers exempt?

In Manchester, the ordinance exempts handlers who have a disability and cannot physically pick up. The exemption covers the handler, not the dog.

Other states in the Northeast

New York · Pennsylvania · New Jersey · Massachusetts · Connecticut · Maine · Rhode Island · Vermont

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.