Wayne, NJ Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Article V of Chapter 68 of the Wayne Township Code protects the Township's waterfowl by banning the feeding of them. Section 68-44 makes it unlawful for any person to feed or permit the feeding of any waterfowl within the Township. Feeding means furnishing food or other sustenance essential for growth or maintenance. The Township is defined as the Township of Wayne in the County of Passaic, and the compliance officials are officials of the Township Health Department.

Waterfowl is defined as any member of the species of birds commonly known as swans, geese, brants, river and sea ducks, sea gulls and any other waterfowl falling under the jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife, or otherwise defined. The ban is not limited to public land: § 68-44 prints no property exception.

The Public Health Nuisance chapter backs the rule up. Section 123-3(E) declares it a nuisance to feed or permit the feeding of any waterfowl or pigeons within the Township, so pigeon feeding is covered there even though Article V names only waterfowl.

Other bird rules sit nearby in Chapter 68. Article VI permits raising and breeding homing, racing and carrier pigeons, with a clean, sanitary loft or coop, free lofting only within the owner's property, not more than 50 pigeons released at one time, and flights limited to one hour, twice a day, with no flights after 12:00 noon on weekends or holidays. Under Article VII, fowl cannot run or fly at large and must be confined in a coop with an enclosed runway, and no part of a coop, house or runway can be less than 25 feet from the doors or windows of any occupied building.