Licensing
The City Clerk’s Office issues various licenses on behalf of the City of Keene and Keene’s Governing Body. Information regarding the types of licenses and associated documentation can be found on this page. Unless an extended time period is otherwise required by the city, all completed license applications received shall be acted upon within thirty days of receipt.
Dog Licensing
You may renew your dog’s license online using EB2Gov.
For additional information on dog licensing and other options to renew, please click here.
Outdoor Periodic Events
Outdoor periodic events include athletic exhibitions, public dances, circuses, carnivals, live performances, exhibitions, promotional activities and any similar periodic activity open and available to the public which is conducted outdoors on private property.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Outdoor Periodic Event Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The City Clerk’s Office will initiate a review process with various City departments to determine licensing conditions. If deemed necessary, the applicant may be asked to attend a safety protocol meeting with City staff to determine any public safety needs.
The Applicant will be issued a Conditional License indicating other actions they will need to take to finalize their event, such as inspections or other licenses or permits needed from the City of Keene (Food licenses, Sign permits, etc.) The conditions will be event specific and based upon information provided on the application. The City Clerk’s Office assists applicants through the process and helps to facilitate communication with the various City departments.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are date specific, and can be issued for a series of dates.
The application fee for this license is $30.00. If City resources are required to ensure safety, these costs are passed along to the applicant.
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Parades, Bike and Footraces
Parade means a public procession, especially one celebrating a special day or event, which may impact vehicular traffic and/or include marching bands or floats.
Bicycle race means a race with contestants using bicycles propelled manually by foot pedals that may impact vehicular traffic and may be timed and competitive.
Footrace means a race run by contestants on foot that may impact vehicular traffic and may be timed and competitive.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Parades, Bike and Footraces that have a minimal impact on the public. Events that are larger in scale may be referred to the Keene City Council for license approval. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured.
Licenses issued by the City Clerk
The City Clerk’s Office will initiate a review process with various City departments to determine licensing conditions. If deemed necessary, the applicant may be asked to attend a safety protocol meeting with City staff to determine public safety needs. Once the review process had concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses Requiring City Council Approval
If upon initial review of the application it is determined that City Council approval is needed, the applicant will submit a cover letter to the City Clerk’s Office addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council. The applicant will be invited to a meeting of the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee to discuss their request. In addition, safety protocol meeting(s) will be scheduled with City staff to determine public safety needs. The City Clerk’s Office assists applicants through the process and helps to facilitate communication with the City Council and/or the various City departments. Once the review process has concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are date specific. The application fee for this license is $50.00. If City resources are required to ensure safety, these costs are passed along to the applicant.
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Raffles
Raffle means a lottery in which each participant buys a ticket for an article or articles put up as a prize with the winner being determined by a random drawing.
A raffle can be conducted in various ways. You may offer a cash prize, but each pool of tickets for cash winnings will be considered a separate raffle, and the winner(s) must be awarded 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of tickets.
You may also offer a tangible prize or a list of tangible prizes. Gift cards and prepaid credit cards are considered tangible articles. You may decide to hold one drawing from the pool of tickets sold, or have multiple drawings from the same pool of tickets with dates identified on the application. You may also choose to pull from the same pool on various dates throughout the month in the case of a calendar raffle. All of these options are permissible as long as you conclude ticket sales prior to the first drawing and you do not add to the pool of tickets.
Raffle tickets sold to the purchaser must include the following information pursuant to State law: the name of the charitable organization running the raffle, the date and place of the drawing, the prize or prizes to be awarded and the amount of the donation.
A raffle may be conducted online so long as the number of tickets to be sold is pre-determined, the age of the purchaser can be verified, the purchaser receives a ticket (virtually or in paper form) containing all information required by State statute, and a random drawing is conducted to determine the winner.
Once the drawing(s) have occurred, the applicant is required to submit a list of winners and their contact information to the City.
EXEMPTIONS:
Any charitable organization may conduct a raffle and sell tickets without a permit so long as the tickets are sold at an event lasting 12 hours or less.
A raffle permit is not required for raffles held in conjunction with bingo games.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Raffle Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The City Clerk’s Office will review the application and look back at the applicant’s file to ensure that winners of previously held raffles have been submitted. If all is in order the City Clerk will issue the license immediately.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are date specific, and can be issued for a series of dates. The application fee for this license is $20.00.
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Sidewalk Cafes
Sidewalk café means an outdoor dining area on a public sidewalk or public way where patrons may consume food and/or beverages provided by a licensed restaurant. Such restaurants may either provide table service in the outdoor dining areas or sell take-out items to be consumed in the outdoor dining areas.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Sidewalk Cafes. Applicants for a Sidewalk Café wishing to serve alcohol beverages in their café space will need Keene City Council approval in the first instance, with subsequent annual renewals issued by the City Clerk.
To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured, a copy of their NH Liquor License (if applicable) and a signed letter of permission from the adjacent property owner if the applicant wants to go beyond their own storefront. First year applicants will be required to submit a sketch of the seating area, and the City Clerk’s Office will initiate a review process with various City departments, including an inspection by Community Development to ensure ADA compliance. Once the review process has concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses Requiring City Council Approval
City Council approval is needed for first time applicants requesting permission to serve alcohol. The applicant will submit the documentation needed to apply for the Sidewalk Café License to the City Clerk’s Office along with a letter addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council. The applicant will be invited to a meeting of the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee to discuss their request to serve alcohol at the café area. Once Council permission has been received, the City Clerk will proceed with reviewing and issuing the license as described above.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code will expire March 1 of each year. The use of the sidewalk is limited to April 1 through November 1 each year to coincide with the Snow and Street Maintenance Period identified in City Code. The application fee for this license is $125.00 the first year, and $100.00 per year thereafter. Every five years a plot plan review will be required, and the fee will be $125.00 during the scheduled review time.
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Sidewalk Obstructions
Sidewalk obstruction means an obstruction placed as a contiguous extension of a business, in an area equal to or less than the width of the business on any sidewalk or right-of-way maintained by the city, whether publicly or privately owned. This would include displays, merchandise, goods, tables, chairs, vending machines, a sandwich board sign or any other obstruction.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Sidewalk Obstructions. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured, and a signed letter of permission from the adjacent property owner if the applicant wants to go beyond their own storefront. First year applicants will be required to submit a sketch of the area they plan to encumber, and the City Clerk’s Office will initiate a review process with various City departments, including an inspection by Community Development to ensure ADA compliance. Once the review process has concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code will expire March 1 of each year. The annual application fee for this license is $100.00.
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Charitable Solicitation Registration
Charitable or nonprofit solicitation means to request directly or indirectly money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of value on the plea or representation that such money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing or any portion thereof shall be used for a charitable purpose or benefit a charitable trust. A solicitation shall be deemed to have taken place whether or not the solicitation is by person or by telephone and whether or not the person making the solicitation receives any contribution.
Charitable organization means a religious, educational, charitable, civic, veterans’ or fraternal organization or political committee or political party which shall have been in existence for at least two years and which is registered with the charitable trust division of the attorney general’s office.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Charitable Solicitation Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office. The applicant will need to submit a list (including dates of birth and full names) of the individuals that will be engaging in solicitation activities. Background checks will be done on all solicitors. Once the review process has concluded, the City Clerk will issue the license which will identify the method of solicitation and the location (i.e. on private property with permission of property owner, door-to-door, telephone contact, etc…)
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are valid for a 30-day period from the date of issuance. There is no fee for a Charitable Solicitation License. If you have questions about where solicitation activities are permitted please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 603-352-0133 extension 2.
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Commercial Solicitation Registration
Commercial solicitation (noncharitable) means a request for money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of any kind in exchange for goods, merchandise or services or any other thing of any kind of value. Without limiting the scope of such terms, solicitation includes the following methods of requesting or securing such money, credit, property, financial assistance or other thing of value: 1) An oral or written request, or 2) Telemarketing originating within the city limits.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Commercial Solicitation Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will need to submit a list (including dates of birth and full names) of the individuals that will be engaging in solicitation activities. Background checks will be done on all solicitors. Once the review process has concluded, the City Clerk will issue the license which will identify the method of solicitation and the location (i.e. on private property with permission of property owner, door-to-door, telephone contact, etc…)
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are valid for a 30-day period from the date of issuance. The application fee for this license is $30.00. If you have questions about where solicitation activities are permitted please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 603-352-0133 extension 2.
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Street Fair License
As defined by NH Statute 31:100 Street Fairs. – The selectmen of a town or governing body of a city may grant a license in writing to any person or persons to use and occupy a portion of any street or sidewalk, as may be designated in general or in specific terms, for the purpose of conducting thereon street fairs or other community events, including but not limited to the sale of merchandise by commercial retailers, or by community associations conducting street fairs or other promotions. Such licenses may include the right to encumber the designated area with boxes, shelves, stands and other devices useful in conducting such sales and shall be issued for not in excess of 3 consecutive business days. Licenses may also be subject to such other terms and conditions, to be expressed in the license, as the public convenience and safety may require.
Obtaining a License
The Keene City Council is the licensing authority for Street Fair Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured and a cover letter addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council. The applicant will be invited to a meeting of the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee to discuss their request. In addition, safety protocol meeting(s) may be scheduled with City staff to determine public safety needs. The City Clerk’s Office assists applicants through the process and helps to facilitate communication with the City Council and the various City departments. Once the review process has concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are date specific. The application fee for this license is $50.00 per day. If City resources are required to ensure safety, these costs are passed along to the applicant.
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Public Transportation (Taxicabs)
Taxicab means a vehicle for hire, having a manufacturers’ rated capacity of not more than seven passengers, that uses the city streets for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire to or from points chosen or designated by the passenger. The passenger does not control the operation. A taxicab is a vehicle which is offered to the public principally as a means of transportation as opposed to a mixed use having social or recreational connotations as for a limousine.
Every taxicab that uses the city streets or any city-owned property for the purpose of picking up passengers for hire, except buses, and vehicles used at funerals, weddings and public parades shall be licensed.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Taxicab Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee and evidence of insurance. The applicant will also need to submit a list (including dates of birth, addresses and full names) of all conveyance operators employed by them, and the rates of fare they intend to charge their patrons. Once the review process has concluded, the City Clerk will issue the license which will identify the vehicles and operators permitted under the license. All operators will be required to display in their cab a 3 inch by 5 inch card containing the driver’s name with a readily identifiable photograph.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code will expire June 30 of each year. The fee per vehicle is $25.00.
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Temporary Signs at the Post Office/Fuller Park
Commercial solicitation (noncharitable) means a request for money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of any kind in exchange for goods, merchandise or services or any other thing of any kind of value. Without limiting the scope of such terms, solicitation includes the following methods of requesting or securing such money, credit, property, financial assistance or other thing of value: 1) An oral or written request, or 2) Telemarketing originating within the city limits.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Commercial Solicitation Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will need to submit a list (including dates of birth and full names) of the individuals that will be engaging in solicitation activities. Background checks will be done on all solicitors. Once the review process has concluded, the City Clerk will issue the license which will identify the method of solicitation and the location (i.e. on private property with permission of property owner, door-to-door, telephone contact, etc…)
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are valid for a 30-day period from the date of issuance. The application fee for this license is $30.00. If you have questions about where solicitation activities are permitted please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 603-352-0133 extension 2.
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Hawkers & Peddlers Licenses
Hawker and peddler means any person, either principal or agent, who travels either by foot, cart or vehicle from town to town or from place to place in the same town selling or bartering or carrying for sale or barter or exposing therefore any goods, wares, merchandise or offering to perform personal services for household repairs or improvements. For example: hot dog vendor or vinyl siding vendor.
Hawkers and peddlers are permitted on sites in the central business, central business limited zone, and commerce zones or any other commercial property that is a lawful non-conforming use or has received a variance or special exception from the zoning board of adjustment. The site shall have sufficient on-site parking and an adequate and safe means of entrance and exit. The hawker and peddler and/or customer parking cannot be on public streets or fire lanes in private lots. Additionally, the hawker and peddler and/or customer parking cannot use private parking that has previously been allocated under zoning or site plan requirements and decisions.
Hawking and peddling of frozen confections is permitted in residential areas excepting for the following streets: Arch Street, Baker Street, Base Hill Road, Beaver Street, Blossom Street, Court Street, Eastern Avenue, East Surry Road, Grove Street, Hastings Avenue, Hurricane Road, Island Street, Key Road, Mechanic Street, North Street, Park Avenue, Roxbury Street, School Street, South Lincoln Street, Summer Street, Swanzey Factory Road, Walpole Road, Water Street, West Street, West Surry Road, Whitcomb’s Mill Road, Winter Street, Wyman Road.
Obtaining a License for activities on Private Property/Mobile Vendors/Frozen Confections
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Hawker and Peddler Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a copy of their NH State License and a signed letter of permission from the property owner if they will operate in a fixed location on private property. The location will need to be reviewed by the Office of Community Development to determine if there is enough parking for the activity to occur at the chosen site. Mobile vendors will provide a list of the locations they intend to stop at on their route. The Office of Community Development will confirm the location(s)are appropriately zoned for the activity and assist with Food Licensing if applicable. The Fire Department will inspect the truck, trailer or cart. The City Clerk’s Office will ask that the applicant obtain sign-offs on their application from each of these Departments prior to submitting, and upon receipt of a complete application, will initiate a review process including performing a background check on any vendor listed on the application. Once the review process has concluded, the City Clerk will issue the license.
Obtaining a License for vending on City Property
If an applicant wishes to operate a vending cart on one of the approved City vending sites, they will complete the application process as dictated above, and will also be required to submit a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured and sign an indemnification agreement to finalize the licensing process.
Licenses Requiring City Council Approval
City Council approval is needed for applicants requesting permission to operate outside the hours of operation dictated by our City Code. The applicant will submit the documentation needed to apply for the Hawker and Peddler License to the City Clerk’s Office along with a letter addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council. The applicant will be invited to a meeting of the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee to discuss their request for extended hours of operation. Once Council permission has been received, the City Clerk will proceed with reviewing and issuing the license as described above.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code will expire April 1 of each year. The application fee for this license is $150.00 per year. For applicants using City Property, an additional $250.00 rental fee will be assessed, and a $60.00 fee for use of City electricity, if needed.
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Map of Vendor Locations on City Property
Itinerant Vendors
Itinerant vendor means any person, either principal or agent, including any person whose principal place of business is not in this state, who engages in a temporary or transient business in this state, either in one locality or traveling from place to place, selling goods, wares and merchandise, with a total value greater than $500.00 from stock or by sample for future delivery, and who, for the purpose of carrying on such business, hires or occupies a temporary place [of] business. The term “temporary place of business” means any public or quasipublic place, including but not limited to a hotel, motel roominghouse, storeroom, building, part of a building, tent, vacant lot, railroad car, or trailer temporarily occupied for the purpose of making retail sales of goods to the public. For example: a rug merchant or furniture sales out of a trailer.
Itinerant vendors are permitted on sites in the central business, central business limited zone, and commerce zones or any other commercial property that is a lawful non-conforming use or has received a variance or special exception from the zoning board of adjustment. The site shall have sufficient on-site parking and an adequate and safe means of entrance and exit. The itinerant vendor and/or customer parking shall not be on public streets or fire lanes in private lots. The itinerant vendor and/or customer parking shall not use private parking that has been previously allocated by zoning or site plan decisions.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Itinerant Vendor Licenses. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a copy of their NH State License and a signed letter of permission from the property owner. The location will need to be reviewed by the Office of Planning to determine if there is enough parking for the activity to occur at the chosen site. The Community Development Department will confirm the location is appropriately zoned for the activity. The City Clerk’s Office will ask that the applicant obtain sign-offs on their application from these Departments prior to submitting, and upon receipt of a complete application, will initiate a review process including performing a background check on any vendor listed on the application. Once the review process has concluded, the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code will expire April 1 of each year. The application fee for this license is $150.00 per year or any part thereof.
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Walkathons & Sidewalk Processions
Walkathon means a community or school fundraiser in which participants raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking a predetermined distance or course. Participants remain on sidewalks or off the traveled portion of any public right of way, and have no impact on vehicular traffic.
Procession means a number of people moving forward in an orderly fashion that remain on sidewalks or off the traveled portion of any public right of way, has no impact on vehicular traffic and does not include marching bands or floats, especially as part of a ceremony or festival.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for Walkathons and Processions. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured. The City Clerk’s Office will initiate a review process with various City departments to determine licensing conditions. Once the review process had concluded the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are date specific. The application fee for this license is $30.00. If City resources are required to ensure safety, these costs are passed along to the applicant.
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General Use of City Property
General use City property is defined as the use of public property for a specified duration, including but not limited to use of city parking spaces, city sidewalks or rights-of-way, or facilities. It also includes the sale or service of alcohol on city property, which in addition to requiring City permission, shall also be in compliance with the requirements of the state liquor commission.
Obtaining a License
The City Clerk is the licensing authority for general uses of City property that have a minimal impact on the public. Events that are larger in scale may be referred to the Keene City Council for license approval. To obtain a license, the applicant must complete an application that is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office along with the applicable fee. The applicant will also need to submit a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of Keene as an Additional Insured.
Licenses issued by the City Clerk
The City Clerk’s Office will initiate a review process with various City departments to determine licensing conditions. If deemed necessary, the applicant may be asked to attend a safety protocol meeting with City staff to determine public safety needs. Once the review process had concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses Requiring City Council Approval
If upon initial review of the application it is determined that City Council approval is needed, the applicant will submit a cover letter to the City Clerk’s Office addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council. The applicant will be invited to a meeting of the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee to discuss their request. In addition, safety protocol meeting(s) will be scheduled with City staff to determine public safety needs. The City Clerk’s Office assists applicants through the process and helps to facilitate communication with the City Council and/or the various City departments. Once the review process has concluded, the applicant will sign an indemnification agreement and the City Clerk will issue the license.
Licenses issued under this section of the City Code are date specific. The application fee for this license is $30.00. If City resources are required to ensure safety, these costs are passed along to the applicant.
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