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Jersey City, NJ Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Significant Restrictions

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

Key Facts

State permit required: NJDEP permit, N.J.A.C. 7:25-4
City registration: Division of Health, annual fee (Ch. 160)
Performances/exhibits: Banned citywide, public or private (§ 90-24)
Enforcing dept.: Dept. of Health and Human Services (§ 90-27)
Penalty: Up to $2,000 fine / 90 days (§ 1-25 via § 90-28)

Summary

Keeping an exotic, non-game or potentially dangerous wildlife species as a pet in Jersey City requires a state Fish and Wildlife permit and a separate city registration under § 90-23. A related 2016 ordinance, § 90-24, bans any performance, ride or exhibition involving an exotic animal anywhere in the city, public or private, to protect both the animals and the public from traveling-exhibit risks.

No person shall possess any exotic, nongame or potentially dangerous species of wildlife in the City of Jersey City unless issued a permit for such wildlife by the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:25-4 et seq. and unless such wildlife is registered with the Jersey City Division of Health. The annual fee for registration shall be as provided in Chapter 160, Fees and Charges. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or provide a performance of any exotic animal on any public or private properly within the City of Jersey City.

Source: Chapter 90, Article III - Dogs and Other Animals, Sec. 90-12 DefinitionsView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).

Full Breakdown

C. and unless such wildlife is registered with the Jersey City Division of Health,' with an annual registration fee set in Chapter 160. Article IV, added by Ord. No. § 90-26 exempts accredited zoos and aquariums, accredited outreach programs limited to 12 hours of mobile housing per day, registered research facilities, accredited educational associations, and religious or cultural ceremonies approved in writing by the city's animal control officer. The Department of Health and Human Services implements and enforces § 90-24 under § 90-27, alongside the Division of Health's registration function under § 90-23.

Violations & Fines

§ 90-28 punishes any violation of the exotic-animal-performance article under Chapter 1's general penalty, § 1-25: up to a $2,000 fine and/or 90 days' imprisonment or community service, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. Possessing unregistered or unpermitted exotic wildlife under § 90-23 is enforced separately by the Division of Health, which can revoke registration and refer possession without the required state permit for prosecution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep an exotic animal as a pet in Jersey City?

Only with both a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permit under N.J.A.C. 7:25-4 and a separate registration with the Jersey City Division of Health under § 90-23, plus payment of the annual fee set in Chapter 160. Without both, possession of an exotic, non-game or potentially dangerous wildlife species is unlawful.

Are petting zoos or traveling animal shows allowed?

No. § 90-24 makes it unlawful to 'cause or provide a performance of any exotic animal on any public or private property' in Jersey City, a category defined to include circuses, carnivals, rides, petting zoos and traveling exhibitions. This is a flat citywide ban, not a permit system.

Does the exotic animal rule cover my cat, dog or pet rabbit?

No. § 90-25 excludes domestic companion animals, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, service and working animals, and domestic livestock from the EXOTIC ANIMAL definition entirely, so ordinary household pets are governed by the separate dog and cat provisions in Articles I through III, not this article.

Is there any exception to the performance ban?

§ 90-26 exempts AZA- or GFAS-accredited zoos and aquariums, accredited outreach programs capped at 12 hours of mobile housing a day, USDA-registered research facilities, accredited educational associations, and religious or cultural ceremonies specifically approved in writing by the city's animal control officer.

Sources & Official References

[1]Jersey City Code §§ 90-23–90-28 – Exotic, Non-Game and Potentially Dangerous Wildlife

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