PermitDuePermitDue

Permits for a Restaurant in Nashua, New Hampshire

A restaurant in Nashua, New Hampshire needs 11 permits including on-premises beverage and liquor license (nh), business entity registration (nh), new hampshire business registration (secretary of state), and more. Each has specific costs, deadlines, and renewal requirements.

We found 11 permits you’ll likely need. Costs, deadlines, and direct .gov links included.

11 permits found

For a Restaurant in Nashua, NH

Alcohol / Liquor (1)Business License (2)Employment (2)Fire Safety (1)Health & Safety (1)Signage (1)Tax (2)Zoning (1)

Alcohol / Liquor

On-Premises Beverage and Liquor License (NH)
New Hampshire Liquor Commission — Division of Enforcement & Licensing·NH (state-level)
Alcohol / Liquor

Authorizes the sale of beer, wine, and spirits for on-premises consumption. Issued by the NH Liquor Commission — Division of Enforcement & Licensing. Fees range $178–$1,500 depending on establishment type and alcohol sales volume. New Hampshire is a control state — spirits are sold through state-run liquor stores, but bars/restaurants purchase through the state system.

$2 - $15 (Annual fee varies by license type and establishment. Range $178–$1,500.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~60 days
Selling alcohol without a license: misdemeanor, fines up to $2,000. ($5 - $20)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Business License

Business Entity Registration (NH)
New Hampshire Secretary of State — Corporation Division·NH (state-level)
Business License

All business entities (LLCs, corporations, partnerships) must register with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. New Hampshire has no general state business license, no state sales tax, and no state income tax on wages. Annual report required.

$1 - $1 (LLC filing $100. Annual report $100.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~5 days
Failure to file annual report may result in administrative dissolution. ($0 - $5)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
New Hampshire Business Registration (Secretary of State)
New Hampshire Secretary of State — Corporation Division·NH (state-level)
Business License

All businesses operating as LLCs, corporations, or partnerships must register with the NH Secretary of State — Corporation Division. Annual report filing required.

$1 - $1 (LLC filing $100. Corporation $100. Annual report $100.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to file annual report may result in administrative dissolution. ($1 - $2)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Employment

New Hampshire Employer Tax Registration
New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES)·NH (state-level)
Employment

Employers must register with NH Employment Security for unemployment insurance. New Hampshire has no state income tax on earned wages, so no withholding registration is required for W-2 employees.

$0 - $0 (Registration is free.)
Renewal: Varies
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register may result in penalties and interest. ($1 - $50)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Workers' Compensation Insurance (NH)
New Hampshire Department of Labor — Workers' Compensation Division·NH (state-level)
Employment

New Hampshire requires workers' compensation insurance for all employers. Coverage from private insurers (competitive state).

$5 - $50 (Annual premium varies by industry and payroll.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without coverage: fine up to $2,500. Employer liable for all injury costs. ($5 - $25)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Inspection / Permit (NH)
New Hampshire State Fire Marshal / Local Fire Department·NH (state-level)
Fire Safety

Commercial establishments must pass fire safety inspection by the State Fire Marshal or local fire department.

$1 - $3 (Varies by municipality.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~21 days
Fire code violations may result in closure and fines. ($1 - $10)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Health & Safety

Food Service License (NH)
New Hampshire DHHS — Food Protection Section·NH (state-level)
Health & Safety

Required for all food service establishments in New Hampshire. Issued by the NH DHHS — Food Protection Section. Requires plan review and inspections.

$2 - $5 (Varies by establishment type and seating capacity.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~30 days
Operating without a license may result in closure and fines. ($1 - $10)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Signage

Sign Permit (NH)
Local Municipality Planning/Building Department·NH (state-level)
Signage

Required by most New Hampshire municipalities before installing exterior business signage.

$0 - $3 (Varies by municipality.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Unpermitted signs may be subject to removal orders. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Tax

Business Profits Tax Registration (NH)
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA)·NH (state-level)
Tax

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, but businesses with gross income exceeding $103,000 from NH activities must register for the Business Profits Tax (7.5%) and Business Enterprise Tax (0.55%). Meals, rooms, and motor vehicle rentals subject to a 8.5% Meals and Rooms Tax (separate license).

$0 - $0 (Registration free. BPT 7.5% on profits over $103,000. BET 0.55% on enterprise value.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to file: penalties and interest on unpaid amounts. ($0 - $50)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Meals and Rooms Tax License (NH)
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration·NH (state-level)
Tax

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, but imposes an 8.5% Meals and Rooms Tax on restaurant meals, hotel rooms, and car rentals. All restaurants and food service businesses must obtain this license from the NH Department of Revenue Administration before serving taxable meals.

$0 - $0 (Free to obtain. 8.5% tax collected on meals served.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without a license: misdemeanor. Failure to remit tax: penalties plus interest. ($1 - $50)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Zoning

Zoning Compliance Permit (NH)
Local Planning/Zoning Department·NH (state-level)
Zoning

Verifies that the proposed business use is permitted in the applicable zoning district.

$0 - $3 (Varies by municipality.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Operating in a non-compliant zone can result in cease-and-desist orders. ($1 - $10)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Don't forget these deadlines

Save this checklist to your dashboard. We'll email you before each permit expires so you never get hit with a late penalty.

From $12/month

Total penalty exposure

$16 – $237

if you skip or miss these permits

Based on published penalty schedules. Your actual fines may differ depending on your city or county.

Save this checklist & get help filing

Save this checklist

Get this full permit list in your inbox. Handy when you're actually filling out applications.

Prove you're compliant. Share it with anyone.

Your compliance packet is a one-page proof that every permit is current. Send it to your landlord, insurer, or lender.

Riverside Bar & Grill

Austin, TX

94%
Liquor LicenseActive
Business LicenseActive
Health PermitActive
Fire Safety InspectionExpiring Soon
Sign PermitApplied
Verified by PermitDue — as of March 15, 2026
permitdue.com/packet/a3f8...

Who asks for this?

Landlords
Insurers
Lenders
Franchise HQs
Get your compliance packet

Check another location

Related permit checklists

Related Articles

Restaurant Permit Checklist: A Complete Guide for New Owners
Every permit and license a new restaurant needs, from health department to fire marshal to tax registration. A practical checklist you can actually use.
Restaurant vs Bar Licenses: What's Different
Restaurants and bars look similar on paper, but the permits they need and what they cost aren't the same. Here's where the two diverge and why it matters.
How Much Does a Liquor License Cost in Florida?
Florida liquor license costs range from a few hundred dollars to over $500,000 depending on the license type and county. Here is what every license category actually costs and how the quota system drives prices up.