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Freehold Township, NJ Animal Ordinances: Coyote Management (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

No dedicated coyote ordinance
Coyotes covered only via § 79-19
Coyotes defined as
A "wild animal" under § 79-14
Core rule
Feeding/baiting coyotes prohibited Township-wide
Deer-plan exemption
Only for permitted Township deer-management agents
Trapping authority
Rests with NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
Max penalty
$2,000 fine or 90 days (§ 1-3)

Summary

Freehold Township has no separate coyote cull or hazing ordinance. Its animal-control code addresses coyotes only by naming them in the general wild-animal definition and folding them into § 79-19's blanket feeding ban, with one narrow carve-out for Township agents working an approved deer-management plan.

WILD ANIMAL Any animal, which is not human nor domesticated, including but not limited to bears, coyotes, deer, feral cats, foxes, groundhogs, opossums, raccoons, skunks, waterfowl, wolves and hybrid wolves. ... (4) Nothing in this section shall apply to: (a) Any agent of the Township authorized to implement an alternative control method set forth in any approved community-based deer management plan and possessing a special deer management permit issued by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife in accordance with the provisions of P.L. 2000, c.46.

View official code

Full Breakdown

" That definition folds coyotes directly into § 79-19's feeding ban: no person may purposely or knowingly feed, bait or leave attractants for a wild animal, coyotes included, anywhere in the Township. Freehold Township's approach to coyotes is therefore feeding-side prevention, not active management. L. 46. That exemption is drawn narrowly to deer-management permits and does not itself authorize coyote trapping or removal. Because coyotes are wildlife under New Jersey law, authority over trapping, hunting or lethal control ultimately rests with the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, not the Township; Freehold Township's own ordinance limits itself to removing the food sources, garbage, pet food, bird feeders, unsecured attractants, that draw coyotes into residential areas, backed by the same escalating-notice mechanism in § 79-19(A)(3) that applies to all wildlife.

Violations & Fines

The same enforcement and penalty scheme covers coyote-related violations: a summons from the Code Enforcement Officer, Health Officer or Police under § 79-22, or a Municipal Court complaint, and a penalty under § 79-23 tied to Chapter 1's General Penalty, up to $2,000, 90 days imprisonment or 90 days community service under § 1-3, with each day a separate offense. There is no coyote-specific fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Freehold Township have a coyote management program?
Not a standalone one. The Township's code addresses coyotes only inside § 79-19's general wildlife-feeding ban, which lists coyotes within its wild-animal definition. There is no separate trapping, culling or hazing ordinance; management authority for actually removing coyotes belongs to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Is it illegal to feed coyotes in Freehold Township?
Yes. Section 79-19(A)(1) prohibits purposely or knowingly feeding, baiting or providing food access to any wild animal, and coyotes are expressly named among the animals covered by the article's WILD ANIMAL definition at § 79-14.
Can the Township trap or remove coyotes from a neighborhood?
The ordinance's only management exemption covers Township agents implementing an approved community-based deer management plan under a state deer-management permit; it does not create authority to trap or remove coyotes. Coyote control falls under state wildlife law, not this local ordinance.
What can I do if coyotes keep coming into my yard?
Freehold Township's approach is to remove what attracts them: secure garbage, pet food, grills and bird feeders as § 79-19(A)(2) and (A)(3) require. Continuing to leave attractants out after the Township advises remedial action is itself a violation carrying the Chapter 1 General Penalty.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Freehold Township

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockHeavy RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsPet Store RulesSome RestrictionsExotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsBird ProtectionLight RestrictionsWildlife FeedingHeavy RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Freehold Township rules

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