Vineland, NJ Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog limit
- Six dogs of licensing age per residence
- Cat limit
- Six cats of licensing age per residence
- Adopted
- 11-25-2008, Ord. Nos. 2008-77 & 2008-78
- Grandfather clause
- Existing excess owners keep, can't add more
- Exemption
- Licensed kennels, pet shops, shelters, rescues
- Base penalty
- $50-$500 fine per offense
Summary
In the City of Vineland, no residence may keep more than six dogs of licensing age and, separately, no more than six cats of licensing age at any one time, under §§ 224-40.1 and 224-71.1. Pre-existing owners over the cap are grandfathered but can't add more animals, and licensed kennels, pet shops, shelters, rescues and vets are exempt entirely.
§ 224-40.1. Limit on number of dogs owned. ... A. No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain more than six dogs of licensing age at any one time in any residence or upon its grounds. Upon the effective date of this section, any person who lawfully and in compliance with this article owns, keeps, harbors or maintains more than six dogs may continue the same but shall not own, keep, harbor or maintain any additional dog until such number of dogs is less than six, at which point the six-dog limitation will thereafter be in effect. ... ... § 224-71.1. Limit on number of cats owned. ... A. No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain more than six cats of licensing age at any one time in any residence or upon its grounds.
Full Breakdown
Sections 224-40.1 and 224-71.1, added by Ordinance Nos. 2008-77 and 2008-78 on November 25, 2008, cap household pet ownership in Vineland separately for dogs and cats: no more than six of each species of licensing age at one residence or upon its grounds at any one time. Both sections carry an identical grandfather clause: anyone who lawfully owned more than six dogs or six cats before the cap took effect may keep that number but cannot add another animal until the count drops below six, at which point the six-animal limit applies going forward.
Both sections also exempt any duly licensed business, organization or facility that operates as a veterinary establishment, kennel, breeder, pet shop, animal shelter, animal rescue or animal adoption agency, so a licensed kennel or cattery under § 224-9 or § 224-71.2 is not capped by this household rule. Neither § 224-40.1 nor § 224-71.1 is listed among the escalated-penalty sections in § 224-41B or § 224-72B, so a violation defaults to the article's general fine rather than the higher leash- or noise-violation range.
Violations & Fines
Because §§ 224-40.1 and 224-71.1 aren't listed in the escalated-penalty subsections, a violation defaults to § 224-41A (dogs) or § 224-72A (cats): a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each offense. Refusing or neglecting to pay a resulting judgment adds committal to the county jail for up to 10 days on a first conviction and up to 30 days for a repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I legally keep at my Vineland home?
Does the same limit apply to cats?
What if I already had more than six pets before the law passed?
Are shelters or breeders exempt from the six-pet cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vineland
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