Vernon Township City Zoning Code
§ 330-195
Keeping of animals.
[Added 1-28-2002 by Ord. No. 02-04]
A.
The keeping of horses and ponies. Except on a farm, a minimum lot size of three acres shall be required to keep a horse. Two horses shall be permitted on the first three acres, and one horse shall be permitted for each acre thereafter; and such lot(s) shall be in single ownership. Horses and ponies shall be kept a minimum distance of 50 feet from adjoining properties.
B.
The keeping of farm animals. With the exception of horses and ponies, farm animals and livestock as defined in N.J.S.A. 4:22-16.1c are permitted on properties which are farm assessed. Such animals shall be kept a minimum distance of 50 feet from adjoining properties. The housing, maintenance and quantity of such animals shall be in accordance with all relevant federal or state statutes or rules and regulations. Board of Adjustment approval pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d shall be required for the keeping of farm animals on properties which are not farm assessed.
C.
The keeping of exotic animals. No person shall harbor, maintain or keep any animal listed in N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.8 (Potentially Dangerous Animals) in Vernon Township. The keeping of exotic animals not listed in N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.8 require Board of Adjustment approval pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d.
D.
No more than six fowl, as defined by § 330-5, may be kept and maintained in connection with a single-family residential use lot of less than one acre so long as the lot is a minimum of 100 feet by 200 feet and conforms to the minimum lot size with the zoning district. No more than 15 fowl, as defined by § 330-5, may be kept and maintained in connection with a single-family residential use lot of more than one acre but less than five acres. Nothing in this ordinance is intended to subvert the rules and regulations of any homeowners' association (HOA) or qualified private community. The maintaining of fowl as permitted by § 330-195D shall be subject to the following conditions:
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. 18-25]
(1)
A zoning permit must be obtained from the Township's Zoning Officer for all coops and runs. All coops and runs over 200 square feet or larger also require Health and Building Department approval and permits as required by the Township Code of the Township of Vernon and state statute.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, fowl shall be housed and kept in a manner which will not constitute a public or neighborhood nuisance. Fowl shall not be permitted to fly or run at large.
(3)
All fowl shall be housed in coops or structures that are properly designed for such use and completely separated from any building utilized for dwelling purposes.
(4)
Coops and runs shall be restricted to the rear yard area and shall adhere to the applicable side and rear yard setbacks pursuant to Schedule C of Chapter 330, Land Development, of the Code of the Township of Vernon. The setback requirement for accessory buildings and structures from other buildings set forth in Schedule C shall not apply to coops and runs.
(5)
The Zoning Officer shall approve the structures prior to their installation with the issuance of a zoning permit.
(6)
No fowl shall be kept unless they can be contained on the property of their owner or the agent of their owner.
E.
Waste management for fowl, as defined by § 330-5, shall be subject to the following:
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. 18-25]
(1)
Fowl manure may be applied to garden soil and incorporated into the soil.
(2)
Fowl manure shall not be used on the surface of any property or portion thereof in a manner similar to that used in the laying of mulch or topsoil.
(3)
Fowl manure may be composted in such a way as to minimize any fly and odor problems.
(4)
Fowl manure may be bagged and removed from the premises.
(5)
Fowl manure may not be stored, composted or applied to soil within 10 feet of the property line.
(6)
There shall be no runoff of fowl manure to neighboring properties.
F.
Feed for fowl, as defined by § 330-5, shall be subject to the following:
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. 18-25]
G.
Enforcement; penalties for fowl, as defined in as defined by § 330-5, are as follows:
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. 18-25]
(1)
All enforcement agents of the Township shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this article. Such enforcement agents shall include but not be limited to the Zoning Officer, the Construction Code Official, the Health Officer and his staff, the Animal Control Officer and/or the Police Department.
(2)
Penalties may include the removal of fowl from the property.
(3)
Summonses for noncompliance with any provision hereof may be issued by the appropriate enforcement officials.
(4)
Penalties may be imposed by the Municipal Court Judge up to the maximum penalty allowed by law.