New Brunswick, NJ Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Two sections set the household caps, one for each species. Section 6.04.320 provides that no person shall own, keep or harbor more than three dogs in any residence or provide establishment within the city except for commercial purposes. Section 6.08.020(A) sets the same number for cats: no more than three cats in any residence or provided establishment within the city. The cat rule carries no commercial-purposes exception. Each section exempts a litter for an eight-week period from birth, printed as an eight-week period for dogs and an eight week period for cats. Each section names one species and sets its own limit of three, and neither section adds dogs and cats together.

Kennels and pet shops sit in a separate licensing scheme. Section 6.04.090 requires a city clerk license for anyone who keeps or operates a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound, Section 6.04.100 requires the application to state the maximum number of dogs to be accommodated at any one time, and Section 6.04.010 defines a kennel as an establishment where the business of boarding or selling dogs or breeding dogs for sale is carried on. Section 6.08.040 exempts cats held in a cattery, or at a licensed shelter, pound, kennel or pet shop, from its vaccination and license rule. Each dog and cat kept within the limit still needs its own license: the dog license fee is $14.00 under Section 6.04.060, and the cat license fee is $18.20 for an un-neutered cat and $15.20 for a neutered cat under Section 6.08.050. The penalty tables in Sections 6.04.400 and 6.08.070 list the limitation violations at $50.00 plus removal of additional animals.