Cherry Hill, NJ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- 6 feet maximum, § 8-2.11b
- First-offense fine
- $100 ($70 fine + $30 costs)
- Enforcing agency
- Township Animal Control Officer
- Impound hold
- 7 days, $4/day maintenance charge
- Governing section
- § 8-2.11, Chapter 8 Animal Control
Summary
Cherry Hill Township bans dogs running at large on public streets, in parks, public buildings or any public place, and requires any dog in a public or semi-public area of a multi-dwelling complex to be on a leash no longer than six feet, accompanied by a person, under Township Code § 8-2.11.
a. Prohibited. No person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog shall suffer or permit it to run at large upon the public streets, in any public park, in any public building, or in any other public place within the Township. b. Adequate Leash Required. No person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog shall suffer or permit it to be upon the public streets, in any of the public places or semi-public areas of a multi-dwelling complex of the Township unless such is accompanied by a person and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six (6') feet long.
Full Breakdown
11 of the Revised General Ordinances, part of Chapter 8, Animal Control, splits the rule in two. Subsection a bars any owner, keeper or custodian of a dog from letting it run at large on public streets, in any public park, public building or any other public place in the Township. 1, defines 'owner' broadly to include anyone with a property right in the dog or who keeps it, and defines 'harboring' to include providing shelter or leaving food where a stray dog has access, so feeding a loose dog can itself create liability under this chapter.
00 penalty if the dog is unlicensed at seizure. 4, and every licensed dog must wear a collar bearing its registration tag, a separate requirement from the leash rule itself.
Violations & Fines
Section 8-2.22b sets a $100.00 fine ($70.00 plus $30.00 costs) for a first running-at-large offense in a licensing year, payable through the Township Municipal Court Violation Bureau after a summons from the Animal Control Officer. A second or later offense in the same licensing year carries a court-set fine for repeat offenders and requires a Municipal Court appearance rather than a bureau payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in a Cherry Hill park?
How long can my dog's leash be in Cherry Hill?
What happens if my dog is caught running loose a second time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cherry Hill
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