Animal Ordinances in Wayne, NJ (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Wayne, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Wayne Township, NJ, chickens, ducks, geese and other fowl must be confined in a suitable house or coop with an enclosed runway, and no part of it can sit less than 25 feet from the doors or windows of any occupied building. Roosters, goats, horses, sheep, swine and cattle are farm animals that need an established farm and written Health Department permission.
Wayne Township Chickens and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-40, 68-49, 68-50
§ 68-40. Requirements for keeping. No person shall harbor or keep any farm animal within the limits of the Township except on an established farm and with written permission from the Township Department of Health. § 68-4 ... 9. Confinement. No fowl shall be allowed to fly or run at large, but shall be confined in a suitable house or coop with an enclosed runway. § 68-50. Location of coop, house...
Dog Leash Laws
In Wayne Township, New Jersey, no dog can run at large on any public street, park, building or other public place. A dog on public streets, public places or the common areas of a multi-dwelling complex must be accompanied by a person and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long.
Wayne Township NJ Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-1, 68-10, 68-11
AT LARGE As applied to a dog, means off the premises of the person owning or keeping or harboring it and not securely fastened to a tether, leash, cord or chain or the like held by its owner or other person capable of controlling said dog. ... § 68-10. Running at large prohibited. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit such dog to run at large upon any public stre...
Breed Restrictions
In Wayne Township, NJ, Article IX of the Code turns on what a dog did. The Municipal Court declares a dog potentially dangerous or vicious on clear and convincing evidence of an unprovoked attack, serious injury, a killing or dog fighting. A potentially dangerous dog needs a special license, a red tag and a locked enclosure. A vicious dog is destroyed unless an appeal is pending.
Wayne Township Dangerous and Vicious Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-59.2, 68-60.2
§ 68-59.2. Findings to declare dog potentially dangerous. ... 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 ... (3) Has been trained, tormented,...
Wildlife Feeding
In Wayne Township, NJ, it is unlawful to feed or bait wildlife in any manner. Section 68-71 names bears, deer, Canada Geese, wild turkeys, pigeons and waterfowl, and § 68-44 separately bars feeding or permitting the feeding of any waterfowl. The Health Department's officials act as compliance officials, and penalties run through Chapter 1, § 1-15.
Wayne Township Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-44, 68-71
§ 68-44. Feeding waterfowl. It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or permit the feeding of any waterfowl within the Township. § 68- ... 71. Feeding of wildlife and feral cats prohibited. ... For the protection of the health and welfare of the citizens, it shall be unlawful to feed or bait wildlife including but not limited to bears, deer, feral cats not covered in this chapter, Canada Gee...
Pet Limits
In Wayne Township, New Jersey, no person, family, firm or corporation can keep more than five dogs of licensing age in any one place, and no one can keep or harbor more than five cats on any property. Six cats or more is a violation punishable under Chapter 1, Section 1-15 of the Township Code.
Wayne Township NJ Dog and Cat Limits
Some RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-6(C), 68-54
§ 68-6. Fees; expiration of license; Service dogs; number of dogs limited. ... C. No person, family, firm or corporation shall keep, harbor or maintain more than five dogs of licensing age in any one place within the Township of Wayne, except as provided under Article II of this chapter. § 68- ... 54. Limit on number. A. It shall be unlawful in the Township to keep or harbor more than five cats...
Cat Rules
In Wayne Township, NJ, every cat over six months old must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed through the Department of Health, with the license number displayed on the cat. Licenses are applied for each January, and no property can keep or harbor more than five cats. The Township Police Department and the Animal Control Officer enforce the cat article.
Wayne Township Cat License and Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-52, 68-53, 68-54
§ 68-52. Rabies vaccination and cat license required. A. Vaccination and licensing requirements. No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any cat over six months of age within the Township of Wayne, unless such cat is vaccinated and licensed. ... § 68-53. Licensing requirements. ... B. Any person who shall own, keep or harbor for more than 2 meals a cat of licensing age in the Township sha...
Pet Store Rules
In Wayne Township, New Jersey, no kennel, pet dealer or pet shop can sell dogs bred in puppy mills or offer any dog or cat younger than 8 weeks old. Each of those businesses needs a Township license issued through the Township Clerk, with Health Department approval and ratification by the Township Council.
Wayne Township NJ Pet Shop and Puppy Mill Sales Rules
Significant RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-23, 68-25(C)
PUPPY MILL Any commercial dog-breeding facility that does not possess a USDA Class A License and who owns or possesses more than 5 female dogs capable of reproduction in any 12 month period. ... § 68-25. License required; exemption for individual dogs; restrictions on the sale of animals. ... C. (1) No kennel, pet dealer or pet shop shall sell, offer for retail sale, barter, auction, or otherwi...
Bird Protection
In Wayne Township, New Jersey, it is unlawful for any person to feed or permit the feeding of any waterfowl within the Township. Waterfowl means swans, geese, brants, river and sea ducks, sea gulls and other waterfowl under State Division of Fish and Wildlife jurisdiction. The Health Department enforces the ban.
Wayne Township NJ Waterfowl Feeding Ban
Some RestrictionsWayne Township Code §§ 68-43, 68-44, 68-45
TOWNSHIP The Township of Wayne in the County of Passaic. ... WATERFOWL Any member of the species of birds, commonly known as swans, geese, brants, river and sea ducks, sea gulls and any other waterfowl falling under the jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife, or otherwise defined. § 68-44. Feeding waterfowl. It shall be unla...
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wayne city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Passaic County →