City Clerk’s Office Now Issuing 2024 Dog Licenses

As required by State law, all dogs residing in the City of Portsmouth must be licensed annually. Before the license can be issued, the dog must be properly vaccinated against rabies.

The fees for new or annual renewals are:

• $10.00 per male or female dog;
• $7.50 per neutered or spayed dog;
• $3.00 for the first dog owned by a Senior Citizen (age 65 or older), $7.50 for a subsequent spayed or neutered dog, and $10.00 for an unaltered dog; or
• $7.50 per puppy aged 3 to 7 months for first-time licensing. Proof of spay/neuter will be required for the following year to retain the $7.50 fee. If the dog remains intact the fee will increase to $10.

The City Clerk’s Office has mailed or emailed dog license renewal notices to over 3,000 Portsmouth dog owners on record. Renew your dog license online – with a valid rabies vaccination record on file – by mail, or in person at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 1 Junkins Avenue in Portsmouth. Office hours are Monday 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday - Thursday 8 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday 8 am to 1 pm. Those who need to apply for a dog license for the first time will find more information and the application here: portsnh.co/doglicense. For more assistance, call the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 603.610.7245.

City Clerk Kelli Barnaby also noted, “If you no longer have the dog, please contact our office so that we can remove you from the licensing system. If your pet has passed away, please accept our condolences.”

The City Clerk is also taking this opportunity to remind dog owners that dog waste must be disposed of properly. “We love our dogs! However, dog waste carries harmful bacteria that can make our waters unsafe for drinking or swimming. Picking up dog waste and disposing of it properly is a small effort that can make a big difference in keeping our waters clean,” Barnaby said.