Bayonne, NJ Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Bayonne City Code § 21-30, as amended by Ord. No. O-22-37 on November 9, 2022, bans "the keeping, breeding and raising of all species and breeds of pigeons" on any property in any zone within the City's jurisdictional limits, with the sole exception carved out for homing pigeons owned by a resident who is an active member in good standing of a recognized New Jersey Pigeon Club. Anyone who was already keeping and caring for pigeons before the 2022 ordinance took effect, and who registered those birds with the Bayonne Health Department, is grandfathered under § 21-30.d and may keep those specific, already-registered pigeons until they are no longer living, but must otherwise follow the older keeping rules preserved at §§ 21-30.1 through 21-30.5.

Those legacy rules required written consent from a majority of neighboring property owners within 75 feet of the coop, barred keeping pigeons within 20 feet of any structure used for human habitation or assembly, capped the combined total of pigeons and other poultry at 50 birds per keeper, and required an annual $125 license from the Health Officer expiring December 31. Coop structures under the grandfathered rules had to stand at least four feet and no more than 14 feet above ground (eight feet if rooftop-mounted), be no larger than 800 cubic feet, sit at least three feet from property lines, and be approved by both the Health Officer and the Construction Official.