Animal Ordinances in Plainfield, NJ (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Plainfield, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, § 5:7-6D(e) prohibits the keeping and raising of chickens on a noncommercial basis in residential properties. The sentence has no permit route, flock-size allowance or exception. Violations carry fines from $75 and animal seizure.
Backyard Chickens Banned in Plainfield, NJ
Heavy RestrictionsPlainfield Municipal Code § 5:7-6D(e)
(e) The keeping and raising of chickens for a noncommercial basis in residential properties is prohibited.
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, § 5:7-4 requires every dog off its owner's confinement to be on a leash of sufficient strength not more than three feet long, held by someone with the size, strength and command to control it. No one can walk more than two dogs at a time.
Dog Leash Law in Plainfield, NJ
Some RestrictionsPlainfield Municipal Code § 5:7-4
No owner or any person having the custody of any dog shall permit the dog to be at large or to confine the dog in any manner so that it can escape and so be at large, unless the dog is securely confined upon a leash of sufficient strength not more than three (3) feet or other suitable means to exert control and is accompanied by a person with sufficient size, strength and command to adequately ...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, a dog is judged on what it has done, not on its breed. Under § 5:4-6 the Municipal Court declares a dog potentially dangerous on clear and convincing evidence of an unprovoked bite, a killed domestic animal, or attack training. The owner then needs a $700 annual license, a locked enclosure and warning signs.
Dangerous Dog Rules in Plainfield, NJ
Significant RestrictionsPlainfield Municipal Code § 5:4-6
(a) The Municipal Court shall declare a dog to be potentially dangerous if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog: (1) Caused bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1(a) to a person during an unprovoked attack, and poses a serious threat of bodily injury or death to a person, or (2) Killed another domestic animal, and (A) Poses a threat of serious bodily injury or death to a...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, no one is allowed to feed wildlife in a public park or on any other property the City owns or operates. The Health Division enforces the ban and orders violators to stop feeding immediately. Violators face a fine not to exceed $100 for each offense.
Feeding Wildlife on City Property in Plainfield, NJ
Light RestrictionsPlainfield Municipal Code § 12:6-3
(a) Feed means to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game. ... (a) No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Plainfield, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife such as,...
Cat Rules
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, every cat of licensing age needs a rabies vaccination and a City license tag or sleeve from the City Clerk, applied for within ten days of acquisition. One-year licenses start at $15.20 for a neutered cat, and violations carry a $20 to $40 penalty.
Cat License and Rabies Rules in Plainfield, NJ
Some RestrictionsPlainfield Municipal Code § 5:10-3
(a) Cats must have license number displayed. Any person who shall own, keep, or harbor a cat of licensing age shall annually apply for and procure from the Plainfield City Clerk or other official designated by the governing body thereof to license cats in the City of Plainfield, a license and official registration tag with license number or a registration sleeve for each cat so owned, kept, or ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, a veterinary hospital must provide 1 off-street parking space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area. The Table of Parking Regulations in § 17:9-42 sets that ratio, and the schedule applies in every zone district except the Central Business District and the North Avenue Historic District.
Plainfield Veterinary Hospital Parking Requirement
Some RestrictionsPlainfield Municipal Code § 17:9-42(J)
J. In all zone districts, except the Central Business District (CBD) and the North Avenue Historic District Zones, there shall be provided, at the time that any building or structure is erected, enlarged, increased in capacity or has a change of use, parking spaces in accordance with the requirements of the following schedule. ... TABLE OF PARKING REGULATIONS Use Off-Street Parking Requirements...
Looking for Union County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Plainfield city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Union County →