Depending on where you live in the Garden State, you can have up to 6 domestic pets. Some New Jersey municipalities allow no more than 5 dogs or 5 cats per household without a permit. Contact your local animal control office to determine the maximum number of pets you can legally own in your city or town. Below, I've listed a few New Jersey municipalities and the number of pets they allow per household.
1. Lakewood, NJ
In the Township of Lakewood, New Jersey, no more than 3 dogs are allowed in any dwelling unit of a multiple dwelling. This restriction only applies to dogs in multi-dwelling units within the Township. The Township's municipal code does not restrict the number of cats residents can own. There is a leash law in the Township that requires all dogs to be on a leash not more than 6 feet long when in public places.
2. Elizabeth, NJ
In the city of Elizabeth, NJ, a combined total of 5 dogs and cats is allowed per residential household. This means that each residential household in the city is limited to 5 pets. To have more than 5 domestic animals in the city, you need to obtain a permit from the director of health and human services. Before you're granted the permit, the director will have your premises inspected to determine whether there is adequate shelter and protection for the animals. All dogs in Elizabeth, NJ, are required to have a city license but cats are not, according to the city code.
3. Woodbridge, NJ
The Township of Woodbridge's municipal code limits residential households to 5 dogs and 5 cats. The Township requires all pet cats and dogs to be licensed and wear a collar to which the license number is securely fastened. Dog and cat owners within the Township must not permit their pets to run at large or make noise between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. As a dog owner, you must see to it that your pet does not disturb the peace of the neighborhood by frequent barking, howling, whining, or crying.
4. Hamilton Township, NJ
In 2013, Hamilton Township passed a new ordinance, linking the number of pets allowed per home to lot size. According to the ordinance, most homes in the Township are limited to 4 pets. Homes on 25,000-square-foot lots or larger are allowed to have up to six pets. No more than two pets are allowed on lots that are 5,000 square feet in size, according to the Township's official website.
5. Old Bridge, NJ
According to Old Bridge Township's municipal code, households are limited to 3 dogs and 3 cats. This limit does not apply to dogs and cats under six months of age. To have more than 3 dogs or cats in the Township, your property needs to be 2 acres or more. As required by state law, all dogs and cats in the Township of Old Bridge must procure a license annually.
6. Vineland, NJ
In the City of Vineland, NJ, you may own a maximum of 5 adult dogs and/or 5 adult cats without a permit. Cats and dogs under the age of seven months are exempted from this restriction, according to the city's Animal Control Ordinance. A property of two acres or greater is required to own 5 dogs or cats in the city.
Pet Limit Laws in Other New Jersey Municipalities
- Township of Irvington, NJ - 4 dogs or cats per household
- Perth Amboy, NJ - 5 cats or dogs
- Township of Bloomfield, NJ - 5 domestic pets per household
- Township of Wayne, NJ - No more than 5 dogs or cats per household
- Town of West New York, NJ - No more than 3 cats or 3 dogs per household
- Monroe Township, NJ - 3 dogs and 3 cats per household
- Township of Berkeley, NJ - No more than 5 dogs and/or cats per household
- City of Linden, NJ - more than 3 dogs or cats per dwelling unit
- Township of Belleville, NJ - No more than 5 adult dogs. No more than 3 adult cats
