Newark, NJ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- Not more than 6 feet
- Running at large
- Prohibited citywide
- Enforcing unit
- Animal Control, Div. of Environmental Health
- Max penalty
- $200 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Newark bars dogs from running loose anywhere in the city and separately requires that any dog out in public be on a leash no longer than six feet, held by a responsible person. Both rules sit in the Domestic Animals chapter and carry the same fine of up to $200 or 90 days in jail.
No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit it to run at large upon the public streets or in any public park, public building or any other public place within the City. ... No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit it to be upon the public streets or in any public place of the City unless such dog is accompanied by a responsible person, and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5019615; v61 updated 2026-06-17; through 06-17-2026).
Full Breakdown
S. 40:48-1, the state law letting municipalities restrict animals at large. Section 6:1-4 goes further, requiring that a dog in a public street or public place be accompanied by a responsible person and be securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long, regardless of whether the dog is behaving. The chapter's Animal Control unit sits inside the Division of Environmental Health, Department of Health and Community Wellness, and enforcement also touches Newark's dangerous-dog seizure powers: an Animal Control Officer can impound a dog found running loose that has attacked or threatened a person or another animal under Article 5.
A dog with an infectious or contagious disease is separately barred from City streets under § 6:1-5 unless the Health Officer grants written permission, and dogs are also barred from committing a nuisance on sidewalks, parks or common areas of multi-family buildings under § 6:1-11.
Violations & Fines
Violating either the running-at-large ban in § 6:1-3 or the six-foot leash rule in § 6:1-4 is punishable, under § 6:1-56(b), by a fine of up to $200, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both, at the Municipal Court's discretion; the same penalty range covers dog noise and nuisance violations under §§ 6:1-10 and 6:1-11 in the same chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in Newark?
Is it illegal to let a dog off-leash in a Newark park?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
Compare Newark to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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