Bergen County does not impose breed-specific dog restrictions. New Jersey state law (N.J.S.A. 4:19-36) preempts municipalities and counties from enacting breed-discriminatory ordinances against pit bulls or other specific breeds.
Under New Jersey law, no municipality or county may regulate dogs based solely on breed, type, or appearance. This preemption applies fully to Bergen County, meaning pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and other breeds sometimes restricted elsewhere are legal to own. However, individual dogs may be declared potentially dangerous or vicious under N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 through 4:19-37 following bite incidents or aggressive behavior, regardless of breed. Owners of dogs declared vicious face strict containment, insurance, and signage requirements. Bergen County's Animal Shelter in Teterboro handles intake and adoption regardless of breed.
Owning a dog declared vicious without compliance may bring fines up to $1,000 and potential euthanasia of the animal.
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack City Code Chapter 112 (Noise), adopted by Ordinance No. 07-2018 on April 10, 2018, restricts construction noise audible off-property to 7:00 AM-6:...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack requires all swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Requirements follow the New J...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack regulates retaining walls through building and zoning codes. Walls over 4 feet typically require engineered design and a building permit. Walls mu...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack permits common fence materials including wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, and chain link. Barbed wire and electrified fences are prohibited in resid...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack fences must be installed on the owner's property, not on the property line, unless neighbors have a written shared agreement. The finished side ty...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack requires a zoning permit and building permit for most new fences and replacements. Applications go through the Building Department, including a su...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bergen County.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle breed restrictions.
See how Hackensack's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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