Exotic animals in Essex County are regulated by the state, not the county. NJDEP rules (N.J.A.C. 7:25-4) require a permit to possess potentially dangerous species, and prohibit keeping primates, big cats, wild canids, venomous snakes, and alligators as pets.
New Jersey controls exotic and wild animal possession at the state level through the Division of Fish and Wildlife under N.J.A.C. 7:25-4, so Essex County sets no separate exotic-pet code. A potentially dangerous species is any exotic mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian capable of inflicting serious injury or posing a menace to public health or wildlife. NJDEP may issue a possession permit only after the applicant meets the criteria in N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.9, and such species may not be kept as pets. Species barred from pet keeping include primates, wild felids, wild canids, venomous snakes, alligators, and monk parrots. Municipalities such as Newark may separately restrict wild animals under Title VI.
Enforced by NJDEP Fish and Wildlife officers. Possessing a potentially dangerous or prohibited species without the state permit violates N.J.A.C. 7:25-4, subject to seizure and penalties. The county does not permit exotics; apply through NJDEP.
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