Animal Ordinances in Old Bridge, NJ (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Old Bridge, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Old Bridge Township allows up to 15 female chickens as an accessory use on residential lots under five acres, but a Zoning Office permit, education class, coop and run size standards, and a 10-foot setback all apply, and roosters are banned outright under § 39-5.1.
Old Bridge Backyard Chicken Rules
Significant RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code § 39-5.1
Chickens may be kept and maintained on single-family residential lots as a permitted accessory use on lots less than five acres, provided a zoning permit is first obtained from the Zoning Office, and subject to the following requirements. ... The number of chickens permitted shall be five female chickens, per 5,000 square feet of lot size, with the minimum lot size being 10,000 square feet, but...
Dog Leash Laws
Old Bridge Township bars dogs from public streets or another person's private property unless leashed to no more than six feet and supervised by someone over 12, and habitual barking that annoys neighbors is also prohibited under § 39-12, though the leash rule is waived in the Township's farming and hunting areas.
Old Bridge Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code § 39-12
No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it to habitually bark or cry so as to annoy any neighbor or other resident. No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it to be upon any of the public streets or upon any private property in the Township, except the private property of the person owning, keeping or harboring such dog, or except upon premises where permissi...
Breed Restrictions
Old Bridge Township has no breed-specific ban; instead, Chapter 39, Article III lets the Municipal Court declare an individual dog vicious or potentially dangerous based on its conduct, such as an unprovoked attack causing serious injury, with a $700 annual license and strict enclosure and insurance conditions once declared.
Old Bridge Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code §§ 39-26, 39-31, 39-40
This article establishes municipal regulations governing dangerous dogs. ... The municipal court shall declare the dog vicious if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog: (1) Killed a person or caused serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1(b) to a person; or (2) Has engaged in dog-fighting activities as described in N.J.S.A. 4:22-24 and N.J.S.A. 4:22-26. ... Each pe...
Wildlife Feeding
Old Bridge Township bans feeding unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other Township-owned or -operated property. Township Code § 432-20, part of the 2004 ordinance (Ord. No. 25-04), defines feeding broadly as giving, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering edible material to attract wildlife, and exempts only confined animals at zoos, rehabilitation centers or education programs.
Old Bridge Feeding Wildlife Ban
Significant RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code § 432-20
§ 432-18. Purpose. An ordinance to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township of Old Bridge, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply. § 432- ... ... 20. Prohibited conduct. No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated ...
Pet Limits
Old Bridge Township caps household pets at three dogs and three cats six months or older on any lot under two acres, per § 39-4 of the Animals chapter, with the Health Officer and Zoning Officer authorized to inspect premises for compliance.
Old Bridge Dog and Cat Limit
Some RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code § 39-4
No person shall keep more than three dogs and three cats six months of age or over on any lot that is less than two acres.
Cat Rules
Cats over seven months old must be rabies-vaccinated and licensed in Old Bridge Township, with fees of $13 unneutered or $10 neutered under § 39-25, while § 39-25.1 lets registered caregivers maintain feral cat colonies through the Township's TNR program, barred within 500 feet of any school.
Old Bridge Cat Licensing and TNR
Some RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code §§ 39-25, 39-25.1
No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any cat over seven months of age within the Township of Old Bridge unless such cat is vaccinated and licensed. ... A license shall be issued after payment of a fee of $13 for each unneutered cat, and $10 for each neutered cat. ... Feral cat colonies shall be permitted and caregivers shall be entitled to maintain them in accordance with the terms and...
Pet Store Rules
Old Bridge Township does not ban pet-store sales outright but restricts sourcing: § 39-44 requires any licensed pet shop to sell only dogs and cats bred by USDA-licensed breeders, on top of an annual $10 license, breeder/broker disclosure reports, and a Health Officer inspection before the license issues.
Old Bridge Pet Shop USDA Rule
Some RestrictionsOld Bridge Township Code § 39-44
License required. ... Any person who keeps, operates or proposes to establish a pet shop shall apply to the Township Clerk for a license entitling him to keep or operate the establishment. ... Sale of dogs and cats from USDA breeders only. Any pet shop operating in Old Bridge Township shall be required to sell dogs and cats bred by USDA-licensed breeders only.