Animal Ordinances in Burlington County, NJ (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Burlington County, New Jersey.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Rule 19 of the Burlington County Parks System Rules and Regulations requires dogs and cats in county parks to be on a physical leash no longer than six feet and under the owner's control at all times, banning off-leash pets except in Board-designated areas.
Dogs Must Be Leashed to 6 Feet in Burlington County Parks
Some RestrictionsBurlington County Parks System Rules and Regulations, Rule 19
Dogs and cats must be kept on a physical leash up to six (6) feet in length and under the owner's control at all times. No domestic animal shall be permitted to run at large within any Parks System property, either with or without a keeper, except in those areas designated for that purpose by the Board.
Exotic Pets
Rule 23 of the Burlington County Parks System Rules and Regulations, under the "WILDLIFE" heading, bars releasing any animal, reptile or bird onto park property and states exotic, non-native species are strictly prohibited, with wildlife releases limited to Board-authorized licensed rehabilitators.
Exotic Non-Native Species Barred From Burlington County Parks
Heavy RestrictionsBurlington County Parks System Rules and Regulations, Rule 23
No animal, reptile or bird, wild or domestic may be released onto or into a Parks System property. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators, after receiving written permission from the Board, shall release wildlife within or into Park System property. Exotic, non-native species are strictly prohibited.
Cat Rules
Burlington County does not regulate cats directly. New Jersey does not require statewide cat licensing, though some towns mandate it by ordinance. The county's key cat rule is public health: the Burlington County Animal Shelter offers free rabies vaccination clinics for resident cats and dogs.
Cat Ownership Rules in Burlington County, NJ
Some RestrictionsBurlington County Health Dept., Rabies Control
Because a current trend in the United States indicates that there has been a higher incidence of rabies in cats than in dogs in recent years, rabies vaccination is especially important for cats.
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