STATE LICENSE
ConditionalDivision of Pesticide Control — NH Depart…
Mowing, planting, hardscape, and general yard work need no New Hampshire trade license or registration. The state credential appears the moment you apply a pesticide — including herbicides and weed-and-feed products — on someone else's property for pay: that is commercial application by a commercial applicator for hire, which requires a certificate of registration from the Division of Pesticide Control (RSA 430:29, VI–VII; 430:33, I). Landscapers usually certify in category G — G1 shade and ornamental, G2 turf (Pes 302.01(d)) — after an exam ($15 per category) and pay $60 a year, with $1M/$2M liability insurance for hire (Pes 302.03).
Low-voltage landscape irrigation wiring at 30 volts or less is exempt from the electrician license (RSA 319-C:3, XI), but line-voltage lighting, pumps, and other electrical installations for pay require a licensed electrician (RSA 319-C:1). Retaining walls, decks, and structures follow the state building code and local permits (RSA 155-A:2, 155-A:4).
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Pesticide regulation is reserved to the state — RSA 430:49 voids local ordinances regulating pesticide use (pre-1993 ordinances excepted). Other landscape work follows local permits: structures, walls, and similar work are governed by the state building code and the town's RSA 155-A:3 permit process, and shoreland and wetland work may need state environmental permits.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every New Hampshire county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant regulators are all pesticides under RSA 430:29 — applying any of them for pay needs registration.
RSA 430:46 exempts the occupant treating their own living unit, not a contractor working there.
Only irrigation at 30 volts or less is exempt (RSA 319-C:3, XI); other electrical installations for pay require a license.
A practical sequence for a new landscaping contractor in New Hampshire. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Applying pesticides commercially without a certificate, or violating RSA 430 rules or orders.
Collected in a civil action by the attorney general.
Line-voltage installations for pay without a license.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
| County · City | Permit office | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County Manchester (consolidated gov.) | City of Manchester Planning and Community Development Department — Building Regulations ↗ | — |
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Fee conflict: the Division's fee page (search excerpt) lists a $20 commercial license and $5 exam fee, while RSA 430:33, I and 430:34, III as amended in 2025 set $60 and $15 — the statute is followed · Fertilizer-only applications: whether New Hampshire regulates commercial fertilizer application near shorelands or waters separately from RSA 430 (not reviewed) · Whether any New Hampshire city or town requires its own contractor registration or business license (no statewide preemption clause was found for general construction trades; check the local building department)
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.