Paterson, NJ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis
- individual finding, not breed
- License fee
- $150
- Enclosure fence
- 6 feet minimum height
- Insurance
- required, city named insured
- Issuing office
- City Clerk
Summary
Paterson has no breed-specific dog ban; a dog individually found 'potentially dangerous' under state law needs a $150 city license and a secure enclosure.
In the event that any dog, whose owner resides within the municipality, is found to be a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-23, said dog shall be issued a potentially dangerous dog registration number and a red identification tag along with a City of Paterson potentially dangerous dog license. Said license shall be issued to the owner only upon demonstration that the owner has complied with any orders issued regarding the potentially dangerous dog pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 et seq. The last three digits of the potentially dangerous dog registration number shall be the three-digit code assigned to the City of Paterson by the State of New Jersey pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 et seq. Said license shall only be issued by the City Clerk upon written notice from the Animal Control Officer of compliance with the terms of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Paterson does not regulate dogs by breed. Chapter 121, Article VII applies only once a dog is individually found 'potentially dangerous' under N.J.S.A. 4:19-23. The owner must obtain a red-tagged registration number and a City Clerk-issued license (§ 121-47), pay a $150 fee (§ 121-49), and, per § 121-50, carry liability insurance naming the City of Paterson as additional insured while confining the dog in a locked, six-foot enclosure set back at least three feet from its fence, or keep it muzzled and tethered whenever it is outside that enclosure.
Violations & Fines
The article sets no separate fine schedule; noncompliance is addressed through the Animal Control Officer enforcing the state dangerous-dog compliance orders under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 et seq.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paterson ban pit bulls or other breeds?
What must an owner do once a dog is declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
How Paterson compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Paterson to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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