10 rules for unincorporated Morris County, New Jersey.
Verified from official government sources
Morris County has no countywide chicken or livestock rule. Whether you can keep hens, roosters, or other livestock, and how many, is decided by your municipality's zoning ordinance under New Jersey home rule.
In Morris County parks, dogs must be leashed on a lead no longer than 6 feet. Off-leash areas exist only at Lewis Morris and Central Park. Everyday leash rules on streets are set by your town, not the county.
Morris County Park Commission Rules & Regulations
Pets must be kept on leashes not exceeding 6 feet in length.
New Jersey bans breed-specific legislation statewide. No Morris County municipality may declare a dog dangerous based on breed alone. Dangerous-dog status turns on the individual dog's behavior under N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq.
Morris County sets no beekeeping ordinance. Hive placement and hive limits are governed by your municipality, while all NJ beekeepers must register colonies with the state Department of Agriculture.
New Jersey, not Morris County, regulates exotic pets. Potentially dangerous species cannot be kept as pets, and most other exotic or nongame animals require a permit from NJ Fish & Wildlife.
N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.8
Potentially Dangerous Species and Endangered Species may not be kept as pets or for hobby purposes for any reason.
In Morris County parks, feeding any animal is prohibited at all times. On private property, wildlife-feeding rules (deer, bears, geese) are set by your municipality; bear feeding is banned statewide.
Morris County Park Commission Rules & Regulations
Feeding of any animal is prohibited at all times.
Morris County does not regulate livestock on residential property. Whether you may keep horses, goats, or cattle depends on your municipality's zoning and lot size under New Jersey home rule.
New Jersey treats severe animal hoarding as criminal cruelty and neglect under Title 4. Morris County has no separate hoarding ordinance; enforcement is by municipal animal control and humane law enforcement.
Morris County sets no cap on the number of dogs or cats. Pet limits and kennel-license thresholds are set by each municipality, while every dog seven months or older must be licensed.
New Jersey requires rabies vaccination and licensing for dogs, not cats. Whether cats must be vaccinated, licensed, or kept off neighbors' property in Morris County depends on your municipality.
See every category we cover for Morris County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Morris County Ordinance Hub →