Bergenfield, NJ Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 344-44K of the Borough Code prohibits keeping wildlife native to New Jersey as a pet, with the only exception being persons licensed as wildlife rehabilitators by the New Jersey Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Game. Section 344-44N addresses non-native exotic wildlife: a person who holds a Department of Environmental Protection license to keep exotic wildlife that the Board considers dangerous to public health, safety and welfare may still be subject to special requirements the Board of Health determines case by case, meaning the state license alone does not guarantee unrestricted keeping inside Bergenfield.

Section 344-45, governing wildlife rehabilitators specifically, layers on further limits: rehabilitators must be currently DEP-licensed and follow national rehabilitation standards, but § 344-45C bans exotic wildlife rehabilitation in the Borough outright and separately lists native species that cannot be rehabilitated here at all, including hoofed mammals, bears, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes and coyotes, plus any other species the Board deems an unacceptable risk. Section 344-45D goes further and bans rehabilitating any bird species in Bergenfield. Permitted rehabilitators must keep cages at least five feet from property lines and 15 feet from a neighboring dwelling's window or door, fence the property with a locking gate, and register annually with the local health department for a sanitary inspection.