Animal Ordinances in Lakewood, NJ (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Lakewood, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Lakewood Township Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsTownship of Lakewood Code § 5-8.7
No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit it to be upon the public streets or in any of the public places of the Township unless such dog is accompanied by a person over the age nine years and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long.
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.
Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules in Lakewood
Significant RestrictionsTownship of Lakewood Code § 5-6.7a(3)
To immediately erect and maintain an enclosure for the potentially dangerous dog on the property where the potentially dangerous dog will be kept and maintained, which has sides, top and bottom to prevent the potentially dangerous dog from escaping by climbing, jumping or digging and within a fence of at least six feet in height separated by at least three feet from the confined area. All poten...
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.
Lakewood Township Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTownship of Lakewood Code § 8-12.3
No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township of Lakewood, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers.)
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.
Lakewood Multi-Unit Dog Limit
Some RestrictionsTownship of Lakewood Code § 5-11
No more than three dogs shall be allowed in any dwelling unit of a multiple dwelling.
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.
Pet Shop and Kennel Licensing in Lakewood
Some RestrictionsTownship of Lakewood Code § 5-3.1
Any person who keeps or operates, or proposes to establish a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound, shall apply to the Township Clerk for a license entitling him to keep or operate such establishments; such licenses shall not be transferable to another owner or different premises. Prior to issuance of the license, the applicant shall obtain a written confirmation from the Zoning Officer that the u...