Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a laundromat in Dover, NH. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Alarm System Permit (Burglar/Fire Alarm)
Manchester Police Department
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Registration prevents false alarm fines.
Business Registration (Local Operating License)
City of Manchester Assessing Department
Required Fee: $50.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Separate from state registration; lists DBA if applicable.
Sign Permit
Local Planning/Zoning Department
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$300.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Freestanding, wall, or projecting signs regulated by size, height, lighting.
Fire Inspection and Permit
Manchester Fire Department
Required Fee: $100.00-$300.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Laundromats require lint trap compliance, extinguisher placement, exit lighting.
Certificate of Occupancy
Local Building Department
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Combines zoning, building, fire approvals.
Health Department Permit (Public Restroom/Water Quality)
Manchester Health Department
May Apply Fee: $75.00-$75.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Ensures sanitary conditions, wastewater compliance for laundromat discharge.
Hillsborough County No Local Business License
Hillsborough County NH
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
NH counties generally do not license businesses; handled by cities/towns.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
New Hampshire Department of Labor - Division of Workers' Compensation
May Apply Fee: $1.50-$5.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
All LLCs that hire employees in NH are required to obtain workers’ comp insurance or be approved as a self‑insured entity. The law is N.H. Rev. Stat. § 275‑1‑1 et seq.
Commercial Auto Liability Insurance
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – Office of Highway Safety
May Apply Fee: $1200.00-$1200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
NH minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 179‑1‑1).
General Liability Insurance
Not mandated by state law
Required Fee: $500.00-$1500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
While NH law does not mandate general liability insurance for laundromats, most lenders and landlords require proof of coverage.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Office of Advocacy
May Apply Fee: $300.00-$300.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
No NH statute requires this coverage for a standard self‑service laundromat.
Product Liability Insurance
Not mandated by state law
May Apply Fee: $1000.00-$3000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Coverage protects against claims arising from product defects or inadequate labeling.
Surety Bond (Business License Bond)
New Hampshire Department of State – Office of the Secretary of State
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
NH state law does not impose a statewide surety bond for laundromats; any bond requirement is local.
Liquor Liability Insurance
Not applicable
Required Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Laundromats do not serve alcoholic beverages; therefore, liquor liability insurance is not required.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All LLCs, even single‑member, must obtain an EIN for tax reporting, banking, and employment purposes.
Federal Income Tax Filing – LLC (default partnership or disregarded entity)
Internal Revenue Service
Required Fee: $300.00-$300.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Multi‑member LLCs are taxed as partnerships by default and must file Form 1065 and issue Schedule K‑1 to members. Single‑member LLCs are disregarded entities and report on Schedule C of the owner’s Form 1040.
Federal Employment Taxes (Social Security, Medicare, Federal Unemployment Tax)
Internal Revenue Service
May Apply Fee: $7000.00-$7000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: filing
Even a single‑member LLC that hires employees must register for and remit these taxes.
OSHA Recordkeeping (OSHA Form 300 Log)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Most laundromats with a few employees fall below the 10‑employee threshold, but if the threshold is met the employer must keep the log.
Certificate of Formation (LLC Registration)
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Corporation Division
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for all LLCs. Annual report required separately (see below). Fees current as of 2024.
Annual Report
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Corporation Division
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Applies to all LLCs. Online filing available.
Business Name Registration (DBA - Trade Name)
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Corporation Division
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
LLCs must register if using a DBA/trade name. Renews with annual report.
Seller's Permit / Registration for Retail Sales (if selling vended items)
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Laundromats typically provide services (non-taxable), but vended sales require registration. Meals & Rentals Tax may apply to machines if considered rentals (6% rate).
Unemployment Insurance Tax Registration
New Hampshire Employment Security
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required if paying wages of $1,500+ in a calendar quarter or employing 1+ workers for 20 weeks.
Workers' Compensation Insurance Registration
New Hampshire Department of Labor
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Proof of coverage must be filed electronically. No state fund; private insurers only.
New Hampshire Business Taxes Registration
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Business Profits Tax (7.5-7.7%) and Business Enterprise Tax (0.55%) apply above thresholds. Interest & Dividends Tax if applicable. No general state business license.
Business Profits Tax (BPT) Registration
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All LLCs conducting business in NH must register for the Business Profits Tax, regardless of revenue.
Business Enterprise Tax (BET) Registration
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: registration
BET applies to all businesses with gross receipts over $50,000; registration is required even if the business expects to be below the threshold.
Business Profits Tax (BPT) Annual Filing
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Form BPT‑100 must be filed electronically via the NH DRA’s e‑file system.
OSHA General Industry Safety Standards (Machine Guarding, Electrical Safety, Hazardous Chemicals)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
OSHA Fact Sheet ‘Laundry and Dry Cleaning’ provides specific guidance for laundromat equipment safety.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Title III Public Accommodation Requirements
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Required Fee: $1000.00-$1000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
All laundromats open to the public are considered places of public accommodation and must provide accessible routes, parking, and equipment where feasible.
EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit – Wastewater Discharge
Environmental Protection Agency
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
While NPDES permitting is administered by the state (NH Department of Environmental Services), the authority is delegated from the EPA.
EPA Clean Air Act – Emissions from Gas‑Fueled Dryers
Environmental Protection Agency
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Most electric dryers are exempt; gas‑fired units must meet EPA’s New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for commercial dryers.
FTC Advertising and Consumer Protection Rules
Federal Trade Commission
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Claims about pricing, service quality, or environmental friendliness must be truthful and substantiated.
Department of Labor – Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Wage & Hour Requirements
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Minimum wage, overtime, child labor, and record‑keeping rules apply to laundromat employees.
Department of Labor – Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Eligibility
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Many small laundromats may fall below the 50‑employee threshold, making FMLA not applicable.
Department of Labor – I‑9 Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
All employers, including LLCs, must verify each employee’s identity and work authorization.
Federal Trade Commission – Credit Card and Debit Card Transaction Disclosure (if accepting cards)
Federal Trade Commission
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Must disclose any surcharges, fees, or cash‑discount programs clearly to consumers.
Federal Energy Conservation Standards – Commercial Laundry Equipment Efficiency (DOE)
U.S. Department of Energy
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
While not a licensing requirement, compliance with DOE efficiency standards is mandatory for new equipment.
Annual Report (LLC)
New Hampshire Secretary of State – Corporations Division
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
The filing can be completed online via the Secretary of State’s portal. No separate renewal; the report must be filed each year to keep the LLC in good standing.
Business Profits Tax (BPT) Return
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
All LLCs classified as corporations, partnerships, or disregarded entities must file BPT. Estimated payments are due quarterly on the 15th of April, July, October, and January.
Business Enterprise Tax (BET) Return
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
BET is required for most corporations, LLCs, and partnerships with New Hampshire nexus. Quarterly estimated payments are due on the same schedule as BPT.
New Hampshire Withholding Tax (if employees)
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Quarterly electronic filing is required via the NH DRA e-File system.
Business Enterprise Tax (BET) Annual Filing
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Form BET‑100 must be filed electronically via the NH DRA’s e‑file system.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Registration
New Hampshire Department of Employment Security (DES)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All employers in NH must register for UI before any wages are paid.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Quarterly Reporting & Payment
New Hampshire Department of Employment Security (DES)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Reports are filed electronically via the NH DES UI portal.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage
New Hampshire Department of Labor
May Apply Fee: $1000.00-$5000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Employers may obtain coverage through a private insurer or the NH Workers’ Compensation Fund.
Manchester Business License Tax (Annual)
City of Manchester, NH – Finance Department
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
The tax is based on gross receipts from all business activities.
Nashua Business License Tax (Annual)
City of Nashua, NH – Finance Department
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
The tax is calculated on gross receipts; other NH municipalities may have similar privilege taxes.
Local Business Privilege Tax (General Municipalities)
New Hampshire Municipal Association (provides links to individual town/city tax codes)
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Check the specific town or city website for exact rates and filing procedures.
Zoning Compliance (Certificate of Occupancy or Zoning Permit)
City of Manchester Planning and Community Development
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Laundromats typically permitted in commercial districts; site plan review may be required. Confirm with local zoning map.
Building Permit
Local Building Department
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$1000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Submit plans for plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems specific to laundromat equipment.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Quarterly Report (if employees)
New Hampshire Department of Employment Security (NHES)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Reports are filed electronically through the NHES UI portal.
Workers’ Compensation Annual Report (if employees)
New Hampshire Department of Labor, Workers’ Compensation Division
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Employers must submit the WC-1 form electronically via the NH Labor portal.
Commercial Laundry Wastewater Discharge Permit Renewal
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), Water Quality Division
May Apply Fee: $150.00-$300.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
The permit requires annual reporting of discharge monitoring results.
Local Business License Renewal
Varies by municipality
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Check the specific city/town website for exact renewal date and fee schedule.
Fire Department Annual Safety Inspection
New Hampshire Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) / Local Fire Department
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Inspection includes verification of dryer venting, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits.
Building/Occupancy Permit Renewal / Periodic Inspection
New Hampshire Department of Safety, Building Code Division
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Renewal often requires a re‑inspection of egress, accessibility, and structural compliance.
Federal OSHA Workplace Safety Poster
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Applicable to all employers with any employees.
Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Poster
U.S. Department of Labor
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
All employers with non‑exempt employees must display.
New Hampshire Labor Law Posters
New Hampshire Department of Labor
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Includes Minimum Wage, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and Anti‑Discrimination notices.
Federal Income Tax Return (IRS Form 1065 or 1120)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
LLC taxed as partnership files Form 1065; if elected to be taxed as corporation, file Form 1120.
Federal Estimated Tax Payments (if taxable income)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Payments can be made electronically via EFTPS.
Record Retention – Tax and Financial Records
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) & New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Include copies of all tax returns, supporting schedules, payroll records, and expense receipts.
Record Retention – Employment Records
New Hampshire Department of Labor
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Include timecards, wage statements, and employee benefit documentation.
Periodic Reporting – Annual Business Enterprise Tax (BET) Reconciliation
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Renewal: annual
Type: filing
BET return must reconcile estimated payments made during the year.
Periodic Reporting – Quarterly Business Profits Tax (BPT) Estimated Payments
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
Required Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Payments are made electronically via the DRA e‑File system.
Periodic Reporting – Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Contributions
New Hampshire Department of Employment Security (NHES)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Contributions are calculated based on taxable wages reported.
Periodic Reporting – Quarterly Workers’ Compensation Premium Report
New Hampshire Department of Labor, Workers’ Compensation Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Premiums are based on payroll and classification rates.
Periodic Reporting – Annual Wastewater Discharge Monitoring Report
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Report must include flow rates, pH, and any contaminants measured per permit conditions.
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