Paterson, NJ Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned
- horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs
- Grandfathered
- horses/ponies kept before 5/1/1984
- Replacement ponies
- allowed, no net increase
- Max fine
- $1,000
Summary
Paterson prohibits keeping horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys and other bovine or equine animals citywide, except ponies and horses already kept before May 1984.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or have in his or her possession or under his or her control within the City limits of the City of Paterson any of the following animals: all poisonous animals, including rear-fanged snakes; apes; chimpanzees; gibbons: gorillas; orangutans; siamangs; baboons; bears; bison; cheetahs; crocodilians 30 inches or more in length; coyotes; deer; elephants; gamecocks and other fighting birds; hippopotamuses; hyenas; jaguars; leopards; lions; lynx; monkeys; ostriches; piranha fish; pumas, also known as "cougars," "mountain lions" and "panthers"; rhinoceroses; sharks; snow leopards; swine; tigers; wolves; horses; cows; goats; turkeys; sheep; pigs; steers; bulls; donkeys; burros; ponies and any other members of the bovine or equine animal families. This section shall not apply to any horse or pony maintained or kept within the City of Paterson prior to May 1, 1984. A person who maintained or kept a pony prior to May 1, 1984, may subsequently maintain or keep a new pony or ponies, provided that the number of ponies under his or her control when this subsection was enacted does not increase. [Amended 11-10-1987 by Ord. No. 87-041; 10-19-1999 by Ord. No. 99-052]
C.
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
The same 'Prohibited Animals' subsection that bars dangerous wild species also bans keeping horses, cows, goats, turkeys, sheep, pigs, steers, bulls, donkeys, burros, ponies and any other bovine or equine animals within city limits. It grandfathers any horse or pony already kept before May 1, 1984, and lets that owner replace ponies later so long as the number under their control doesn't increase beyond what it was when the subsection was enacted.
Violations & Fines
Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or community service up to 90 days, or a combination, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or goat in Paterson?
What if I had a pony before the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
How Paterson compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Paterson to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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