How Lakewood Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Lakewood maintains 110 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lakewood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pet Store Rules

Lakewood Township requires a Township Clerk license, Zoning Officer sign-off and Health Officer inspection to run a pet shop, kennel, shelter or pound under Code § 5-3. The code sets licensing and sanitation standards; it does not impose a retail sale ban or adoption-only mandate.

Key details: License expires: January 31 each year. Kennel (10 or fewer dogs) fee: $10. Kennel (more than 10 dogs) fee: $25. Pet shop fee: $10. Shelter or pound fee: None.

A pet shop, kennel, shelter or pound license can be revoked by the Township Committee, after a hearing, on the recommendation of the State Department of Health or local Board of Health for failure to comply with sanitation and disease-control rules under § 5-3.6.

Dog Leash Laws

Lakewood Township requires every dog on a public street or in any public place to be on a leash no longer than six feet, controlled by a handler at least nine years old. Code § 5-8.7 sits alongside a separate at-large ban at § 5-8.6, both enforced by the Animal Control Officer and Police under Chapter 5's tiered fine schedule.

Key details: Maximum leash length: Six feet. Handler minimum age: Nine years old. Companion rule: At-large ban, § 5-8.6. Parks repeat the standard: § 8-7.8(a)(25). First offense fine: Up to $200.

Violating the six-foot leash rule or the companion at-large ban carries the Chapter 5 penalty schedule at § 5-12: a fine of up to $200 for a first offense, $200 to $300 for a second, and a mandatory $500 fine with up to 40 hours of community service and/or up to 10 days in the Ocean County Jail for a third and later offense.

Breed Restrictions

Lakewood Township has no breed ban; Code § 5-6 instead lets the Municipal Court declare an individual dog 'vicious' or 'potentially dangerous' based on a documented attack, triggering a locked six-foot enclosure, muzzling, tattooed registration, and fines up to $1,000 per day.

Key details: Regulatory basis: Individual conduct, not breed. Potentially dangerous dog license fee: $700 per year. Required enclosure height: At least 6 feet, locked. Maximum fine: $1,000 per day. Appeal venue: Superior Court, Law Division.

An owner who violates § 5-6 or fails to comply with a court order faces a fine of up to $1,000 per day, with each day of continued violation a separate offense; the Animal Control Officer can seize and impound the dog, and the Municipal Court may order its destruction (§ 5-6.12). If a dog is ultimately declared vicious and not appealed, it is destroyed humanely (§ 5-6.5c).

This is one of the stricter rules in Lakewood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Wildlife Feeding

Lakewood Township bans feeding unconfined wildlife in any public park or on Township-owned property. Code § 8-12.3, adopted by Ordinance No. 2005-78, is enforced by the Police Department, requires violators to stop immediately, and carries a fine up to $500 for each day the feeding continues.

Key details: Ban covers: Public parks, Township property. Adopted by: Ordinance No. 2005-78. Fine: Up to $500 per violation. Continuing violation: Separate offense each day. Enforcing agency: Police Department.

Feeding unconfined wildlife in a Lakewood park or on Township property draws an immediate cease order from the Police Department and a fine up to $500 under § 8-12.6. Because each day of continuing feeding is a separate offense, repeated conduct can produce a new $500 exposure daily until it stops.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lakewood actively enforces its wildlife feeding requirements.

Pet Limits

Lakewood Township caps dogs at three per dwelling unit inside a multiple dwelling; the limit does not extend to single-family homes. Code § 5-11 is enforced by the Animal Control Officer under Chapter 5's general fine schedule, and 'multiple dwelling' covers any building with two or more separately housekeeping units, attached or not.

Key details: Dog cap: Three dogs per unit. Applies to: Multiple-dwelling units only. Multiple dwelling defined: 2+ separate housekeeping units. Enforcing agency: Animal Control Officer. First offense fine: Up to $200.

Keeping more than three dogs in one multiple-dwelling unit is punished under Chapter 5's general fine schedule at § 5-12: up to $200 for a first offense, $200 to $300 for a second, and a mandatory $500 fine with up to 40 hours of community service and/or up to 10 days in the Ocean County Jail for a third.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Lakewood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Lakewood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.