Ridgewood, NJ Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Article V of Chapter 105, Harboring Wild Animals, is a flat local prohibition layered on top of any state exotic-animal permitting. Section 105-34 defines 'WILD ANIMAL' as 'an animal of a species dangerous to human beings or savage in nature, living ordinarily at large and not customarily made tame or gentle by long continued association with man, without regard to whether a specific animal is considered a pet or domesticated by its keeper or possessor,' so a hand-raised or docile individual of a dangerous species still counts.

Section 105-35 states the purpose is to protect health and general welfare and to prevent 'riot and panic in case of fire or other emergencies,' and § 105-36 then bans anyone from keeping, maintaining, harboring or possessing a wild animal anywhere in the Village, and from leasing or occupying any place for that purpose. Enforcement runs through the Village sanitarian, who under § 105-37 issues a certified-mail notice classifying an animal as wild once there is reason to believe one is being kept; the recipient then has 15 days to remove the animal or file a written appeal.

Appeals go to a five-member Board of Review appointed by the Village Manager with Council approval, which under § 105-38 must convene within 45 days of the appeal, decide within 30 days of the hearing, and, if the classification is upheld, requires removal within 30 days of that decision.