How Cherry Hill Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide
Cherry Hill maintains 93 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Cherry Hill falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Dog Leash Laws
Cherry Hill Township bans dogs running at large on public streets, in parks, public buildings or any public place, and requires any dog in a public or semi-public area of a multi-dwelling complex to be on a leash no longer than six feet, accompanied by a person, under Township Code § 8-2.11.
Key details: Leash length limit: 6 feet maximum, § 8-2.11b. First-offense fine: $100 ($70 fine + $30 costs). Enforcing agency: Township Animal Control Officer. Impound hold: 7 days, $4/day maintenance charge. Governing section: § 8-2.11, Chapter 8 Animal Control.
Section 8-2.22b sets a $100.00 fine ($70.00 plus $30.00 costs) for a first running-at-large offense in a licensing year, payable through the Township Municipal Court Violation Bureau after a summons from the Animal Control Officer. A second or later offense in the same licensing year carries a court-set fine for repeat offenders and requires a Municipal Court appearance rather than a bureau payment.
Cat Rules
Cherry Hill Township Code § 8-7.3 requires every cat over seven months old to be rabies-vaccinated and licensed, renewed annually by July 31, while § 8-6.2 separately bars cats from soiling or committing a nuisance on public property; stray or unlicensed cats found off their owner's premises are subject to impoundment.
Key details: License required: At 7 months of age. Annual fee: $22.20 neutered / $25.20 unneutered. License expires: Every July 31. Impound hold: 7 days, $4/day fee. First-offense penalty: $25 (control) / $25-50 (licensing).
Section 8-6.5 penalizes a Control of Cats violation at $25.00 for a first offense and $50.00 for each subsequent offense. Section 8-7.7 separately penalizes a licensing violation at not less than $25.00 nor more than $50.00 per offense, recovered by and in the name of the Township.
Breed Restrictions
Cherry Hill Township Code § 8-2.13 has no breed-specific dog ban; instead it lets the Municipal Court declare an individual dog 'vicious' or 'potentially dangerous' under N.J.S.A. 4:19-22 and 4:19-23, and the Township charges a $700.00 annual license fee plus monthly compliance inspections for any dog so declared.
Key details: Breed-specific ban: None; determination is individual. Declaring authority: Cherry Hill Municipal Court. Annual dangerous-dog fee: $700.00, § 8-2.13l. Compliance inspections: Monthly, § 8-2.13m. Underlying framework: N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq..
Violations of a potentially-dangerous-dog compliance order are penalized under N.J.S.A. 4:19-29, enforced by the Cherry Hill Municipal Court, which has jurisdiction under § 8-2.13j(2) and may order destruction of a seized dog. Separately, the Animal Control Officer may seize any potentially dangerous dog whose owner fails to comply with the state act or a court order, per § 8-2.13j(3).
Compared to other cities, Cherry Hill takes a harder line on breed restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Pet Store Rules
Cherry Hill Township Code § 8-3.4 bars pet shops from selling dogs or cats except those obtained from or displayed in cooperation with an animal care facility or an animal rescue organization, and bans the sale of any dog or cat younger than eight weeks old.
Key details: Sourcing rule: Only shelters or rescues, § 8-3.4b. Minimum age to sell: 8 weeks old. Adopted: Ordinance #2015-15, 2015. Minimum penalty: $100 per offense, § 8-2.22c. Licensing authority: Township Clerk/Vital Statistics, § 8-3.1.
Chapter 8's general enforcement clause, § 8-2.22c, covers licensed establishments including pet shops and sets a penalty of no less than $100.00 for each offense, recoverable by the Township, with jail of up to thirty days for a first conviction and up to ninety days for a repeat violation if a fine and costs go unpaid.
This is one of the stricter rules in Cherry Hill's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Chickens & Livestock
Cherry Hill Township Code § 8-8 regulates keeping sheep, goats and swine: a Township Division of Health certificate is required before keeping any of the three, and § 8-8.7 bars keeping them within 300 feet of any dwelling house. The chapter has no chicken or poultry-keeping provision at all.
Key details: Scope: Sheep, goats, swine only; no poultry rule. Distance buffer: 300 feet from any dwelling house. Certificate fee: $1 (up to 10 animals) / $5. Issued by: Township Division of Health. First-offense fine: $10-$50, § 8-8.8.
Section 8-8.8 sets the fine at not less than $10.00 nor more than $50.00 for a first offense, rising to not less than $25.00 nor more than $100.00 for a second or subsequent offense, on conviction in Municipal Court.
Wildlife Feeding
Cherry Hill Township bans feeding unconfined wildlife, including deer and geese, anywhere on Township-owned or Township-operated property, including its public parks. The Police Department enforces the rule, can order violators to stop feeding on the spot, and a conviction carries a fine of up to $500.
Key details: Covers: Township parks and Township-owned property only. Prohibited: feeding any wild, unconfined animal. Exempt: zoos, rehab centers, education centers. Enforced by: Cherry Hill Township Police Department. Penalty: up to $500 fine.
A person caught feeding wildlife on Township property is first ordered by police to stop immediately under § 17-6.5d. Continuing the conduct, or a separate conviction, carries a fine of up to $500.00 under subsection (e), the same maximum civil penalty used across Chapter 17's quality-of-life subsections.
Bird Protection
In every Cherry Hill Township park, it is illegal to hunt, molest, harm, trap or kill any bird, wildlife or reptile, or to take their eggs or nests, with a narrow exception only for snakes known to be deadly poisonous.
Key details: Covers: Animals, wildlife, reptiles, birds. Also protected: Eggs and nests. Exception: Deadly poisonous snakes only. Location: All township parks/rec areas. Max penalty: $2,000 fine / 90 days.
A person who hunts, harms or traps wildlife or birds in a Cherry Hill park, or takes eggs or nests, is subject to the Chapter 22 penalty at Section 22-3.2 and the citywide Section 1-5 schedule: up to a $2,000 fine, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or up to 90 days of community service, plus liability for any damage caused. Recreation Department attendants and police can eject the person and seize any trapping device or weapon on the spot.
This is one of the stricter rules in Cherry Hill's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
Cherry Hill is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Cherry Hill, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
All of the above reflects Cherry Hill's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.