City Ordinances

*Please note that the documents listed below are for informational purposes only and should not be used as official documents. They were last updated on March 21, 2024.

Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (603) 610-7208 for information regarding the issuance of official copies of City Ordinances.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Administrative Code

  • Article I – Administrative Code
  • Article II – Reserved For Future Use
  • Article III – Boards
  • Article IV – Commissions/Authorities
  • Article V – Purchasing Procedures
  • Article VI – Reserved For Future Use
  • Article VII – Validity/Adoption
  • Article VIII – Code of Ethics
  • Article IX – Conflict of Interest/Mandatory Financial Disclosure
  • Article X – City Communications System
  • Article XI – Budget Preparation Date
  • Article XII – Prohibited Practices in Public Buildings
  • Article XIII – Municipal Enforcement Procedures (Citation Ordinance)
  • Article XIV – Municipal Fund Balance
  • Article XV – Leave at Termination Fund
  • Article XVI – Adoption of Fees by Budget Resolution
  • Article XVII – Funding of Public Art
  • Article XVIII – Payment by Credit Card

Chapter Two - Seal, Deeds and Elections

  • Article I – City Seal
  • Article II – Deeds
  • Article III – Elections

Chapter Three  – Public Health

  • Article I – Public Health
  • Article II – Solid Waste, Yard Waste and Recycling
  • Article III – Burying Grounds
  • Article IV – Noise Control
  • Article V – Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention/Control
  • Article VI – Adult Oriented Establishments
  • Article VII – Drug-Free Zones
  • Article VIII – Mosquito Prevention Control
  • Article IX - Distribution of Single-Use Disposables on City Property (Eff. 12/31/2020)
  • Article X - Distribution of Single-Use Disposables Citywide (Eff. 12/31/2020)
  • Article XI - Face Coverings During the COVID-19 Pandemic (REPEALED 06/07/2021)

Chapter Four – Food Licensing and Regulations

  • Article I – Food Licensing and Regulations

Chapter Five – Fire Department and Prevention Regulations

  • Article I – Fire Department
  • Article II – Reserved for future use
  • Article III – Reserved for future use
  • Article IV – Reserved for future use
  • Article V – Reserved for future use
  • Article VI – Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Costs
  • Article VII – Blasting
  • Article VIII – Alarm Systems
  • Article IX – Adopted Fire Codes

Chapter Six – Licenses

  • Article I – General Provisions
  • Article II – Billiards and Bowling
  • Article III – Model Car Slot Racing
  • Article IV – Coin Operated Amusement Devices (adopted 1/17/83)
  • Article V – Boxing and Wrestling
  • Article VI – Reserved
  • Article VII Dogs and Other Pets
  • Article VIII – Reserved
  • Article IX Circus
  • Article X – Theatricals/Parades/Open Air Meetings
  • Article XI – Reserved
  • Article XII Hotels, Etc.
  • Article XIII – Hawkers and Peddlers
  • Article XIV – Pawn Brokers
  • Article XV – Rolling Skating Rinks
  • Article XVI – Solicitors/Magazine Subscriptions
  • Article XVII - Outdoor Dining Encumbrance Permit

Chapter Seven – Vehicles, Traffic and Parking

  • Article I – Parking Meters
  • Article II – Taxis
  • Article III – Traffic Ordinance
  • Article IV – Off-Street Parking Areas
  • Article IVA – Bus Stops and Taxicab Stands
  • Article V – Bicycle Regulations
  • Article VA – Community Center/City Hall/District Court Parking
  • Article VI – Loading Zones 
  • Article VII – Truck and Bus Travel
  • Article VIII – Hazardous Materials
  • Article IX – Penalties/Forfeitures/Separability
  • Article X – Towing
  • Article XI – Speed Limits
  • Article XII – Parking for the Walking Disabled
  • Article XIII – Equipment Required – Snowplows
  • Article XIV – Registration Exemption for Prisoners of War (POW’s)
  • Article XV – Emergency Lanes
  • Article XVI – Resident Only Parking
  • Article XVII – Moped Regulations
  • Article XVIII - Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces Regulations
  • Article XIX - Shared Active Transportation

Chapter Eight - Encumbrances and Injurious Practices in Streets

  • Article I – Incumbrances
  • Article II – Parks
  • Article III – Portsmouth Urban Forestry Ordinance
  • Article IV – Harbor Ordinance
  • Article V – Conservation Ordinance
  • Article VI – Construction Work Requiring Certified Flag Personnel

Chapter Nine - Miscellaneous Public Welfare

  • Article I – Disorderly Houses
  • Article II – Reserved
  • Article III - Regulation of Minors
  • Article IV – Removal of Excrement
  • Article V – Public Way Obstructions, Placement and Registration
  • Article VI – City Plants or Property
  • Article VII – Municipal Facilities for Skateboarding or Rollerblading or Rollerskiing
  • Article VIII – Boarding Houses

Chapter Ten – Zoning (Land Use Regulations)

  • Article I – Purpose and Applicability
  • Article II – Administration and Enforcement
  • Article III – Nonconforming Lots, Buildings, Structures and Uses
  • Article IV – Zoning Districts and Use Regulations
  • Article V – Dimensional and Intensity Standards
  • Article VA – Character-Based Zoning
  • Article VI – Overlay Districts
  • Article VII – Flexible Development
  • Article VIII – Supplemental Use Standards
  • Article IX – Special Uses
  • Article X – Environmental Protection Standards
  • Article XI – Site Development Standards
  • Article XII – Signs
  • Article XIII – Performance Standards
  • Article XIV – Impact Fees
  • Article XV – Definitions

Chapter Eleven - Sidewalks, Sewers, Layout of Streets, Subdivision of Land

  • Article I – Sidewalks
  • Article II – Sewers
  • Article III – Layout and Construction of Streets
  • Article IV – Subdivision of Land
  • Article V – Street Names and Numbers
  • Article VI – Referrals to Planning Board
  • Article VII – Subdivision Regulations
  • Article VIII – Site Plan Review

Chapter Twelve - City of Portsmouth Building Code

Chapter Thirteen – Reserved

Chapter Fourteen – Housing Code

  • Article I – Definitions, Certificate of Occupancy, Requirements for Plumbing, Electrical, etc., Garbage/Rubbish Disposal, Dangerous Buildings Defined, Standards for Repair/Demolition, Penalties, Duties of Housing Code Inspector, Building Commission, Duties of Commission and Authority, Appeal, Enforcement, Administrative Liability, Duties of Police and Fire Departments, Separability
  • Article II – Demolition

Chapter Fifteen - Reserved

Chapter Sixteen - Utilities

  • Article I – Water Ordinance
  • Article II – Regulation of Discharges into Storm Water Drainage System