Newark Municipal Code Ch. 6.32 Regulations—domestic Animals

The following numbers of animals, regardless of age, shall be considered household pets and may be kept on any parcel used primarily for residential purposes, subject to the following limitations:

A. An animal fancier's permit shall be obtained for:

1. Any rooster;

2. More than four hen chickens, or more than eight bantam chickens, or more than three cats or more than three dogs, or more than two of any other pet species.

3. More than a combination of ten such animals, provided the number-of-specie maximum is not exceeded, shall not be permitted.

B. The issue born of such animals which increases the total number upon the premises beyond the numbers permitted shall be removed from the parcel not later than six weeks from weaning.

C. Other animals which are neither exotic animals nor such animals as specified in this section, such as mice (domestic), rats (domestic), snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles, fish, ducks, geese, or other birds, and other similar animals commonly kept as household pets, may be kept upon any parcel in any zoning district where the principal use upon the parcel is residential use, so long as such animals do not constitute a nuisance and are afforded food, care and sanitary facilities.

(Ord. 159 Art. VII § 1, 1979; Ord. No. 508, § 1, 10-25-2018)

(Ord. No. 455, § 1(Exh. A), 6-14-2012; Ord. No. 508, § 1, 10-25-2018)

* Editor's note: See Chapter 6.36 for animal fancier's permit regulations.

A. No horses, ponies, donkeys, burros, cows, steers, sheep or goats may be kept on a parcel less than one-half acre in size. The number of animals permitted on larger parcels shall be subject to the animal fancier's permit process and conditions established by the animal control officer.

B. The issue born of such animals which increases the total number upon the premises beyond the numbers permitted shall be removed from the parcel not later than six weeks from weaning.

C. There shall be a fence along the perimeter of the pasture area. The perimeter fence shall not be closer than four feet from property lines, except along street rights-of-way, where the setback shall be equal to the front setback requirements for the zoning district. The animal control officer may approve a fence along the property lines if it is determined that the topography and adjacent land uses are compatible with subject use.

D. Any structure or enclosure such as a stall, barn, corral, pen, paddock, or exercise area, not including pastures used to house, feed, shelter or contain animals, or used to store feed supplies, shall not be closer than forty feet from any parcel line or dwelling on the same parcel; and the structures shall be located on the rear one-half of the parcel, except that the animal control officer may allow the structures to be located elsewhere on the parcel if it is determined that the location would be more compatible with the surrounding land uses, or that the topography of the parcel precludes construction of structures on the rear half of the parcel, and providing the structures meet the minimum setback requirements of the zoning ordinance.

(Ord. 159 Art. VII § 2, 1979)

A. Animals Permitted Where. Chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits and bees may be kept for noncommercial, recreational, educational or food source purposes upon parcels zoned but not developed for commercial or industrial purposes, and upon parcels zoned for agricultural (except open space) purposes, provided an animal fancier's permit has been obtained from the animal control officer.

B. Number of Animals. The number of such animals allowed shall be based on parcel area, as follows:

1. Parcels with an area of one acre or more: twenty adult rabbits, or twenty-five chickens, including two roosters; or four geese; or ten ducks; or five beehives;

2. Parcels with an area of one-half acre or more: fifteen adult rabbits; or twenty chickens, including one rooster; or more than two geese; or six ducks; or three beehives;

3. Parcels with an area of ten thousand square feet or greater: eight adult rabbits; or ten chickens, including one rooster; or more than two geese; or more than two ducks; or three beehives;

4. Parcels with an area of eight thousand square feet or greater: four adult rabbits or two beehives;

5. Parcels with an area of six thousand square feet or greater: four rabbits or one beehive;

6. The issue born of the animals which increases the total number upon the premises beyond the numbers permitted shall be removed from the parcel no later than sixteen weeks from birth.

C. Structures, Fences or Enclosures. Structures, fences or enclosures for the keeping of the animals shall be subject to the rules and regulations established by the city council.

(Ord. 159 Art. VII § 3, 1979)

Lambs, kids and calves may be kept on a temporary basis for educational purposes on a parcel used primarily for residential purposes by an organization certified by the state or which is part of a recognized organization devoted to the care of animals; provided, that an animal fancier's permit has been obtained from the animal control officer, such permit subject to the following criteria:

A. Not more than one such animal may be kept on a minimum parcel size of six thousand square feet;

B. Not more than two such animals may be kept on parcels of ten thousand square feet or greater;

C. Structures and fences for the keeping of such animals shall be subject to rules and regulations established by the city council.

(Ord. 159 Art. VII § 4, 1979)

* Editor's note: See Chapter 6.36 for animals fancier's permit regulations.

A maximum of two species of those animals requiring a permit under this chapter may be kept on one parcel.

(Ord. 159 Art. VII § 5, 1979)