[Adopted 6-4-1895 (Ch. 7 of the 1966 Code); amended in its entirety 10-23-2012 by Ord. No. 12-14]
This article shall be known as the "Borough of Raritan Animal Ordinance."
[Amended 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-14]
Subject to Chapter 207, Part 6, Zoning, of the Code of the Borough of Raritan, no swine, goats, cattle, horses, rabbits, ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens or other fowl shall be kept or maintained within the Borough of Raritan on any private or public plot of land or other premises without first obtaining written permission from the Borough Clerk, which will only be issued upon compliance with all other provisions of this article.
[Amended 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-14]
All persons desiring to keep or maintain any of said animals or fowl shall file an application with the Borough Clerk on a form provided by the Borough Clerk. This application will include, but is not limited to, the following information: name, address and telephone number of the applicant; the number and types of animals or fowl desired to be kept; a sketch and description of the proposed confinement area(s); and signatures as proof of notification of all property owners and occupants whose property geographically borders the property which will harbor said animals.
Failure to comply with any of the following provisions is hereby declared to be a public health nuisance and detrimental to the health and well-being of the public:
A. 
All swine, goats, cattle, horses, rabbits, ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens or other fowl shall be confined in a suitable, durable coop, enclosure or runway which will not allow any of the confined animals or fowl to enter any other property.
B. 
Such coop, enclosure or runway shall be located in an area of the property which will prevent it from becoming a nuisance or annoyance or interference with the health, enjoyment or general well-being of any other residents of this municipality.
C. 
Such coop, enclosure or runway shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary condition which will not allow any of the following to occur:
(1) 
The accumulation of animal wastes on the ground for longer than 24 hours.
(2) 
The presence of noxious odors.
(3) 
The presence of any structures or other objects which can act as a rodent or insect attractant or harborage.
D. 
The following additional limitations shall apply to all persons seeking to keep animals or fowl:
[Added 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-14]
(1) 
Property lot size shall be a minimum of 1/2 acre.
(2) 
No more than six fowl (ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens, etc.) shall be permitted at any one residence.
(3) 
Roosters and cockerels are prohibited.
(4) 
Any coop or runway shall be fully enclosed so as to prevent the free ranging of fowl and shall be maintained within the bulk area setbacks for the particular zone.
No person shall slaughter, kill or butcher, or raise or keep for the purpose of slaughtering, killing or butchering, any swine, sheep, goats, cattle or any fowl within the Borough of Raritan.
Whenever a nuisance as declared by this article is found on any private or public plot of land or premises, notice in writing shall be given to the owner thereof to remove or abate the same within such time as shall be specified therein, but not less than five days from the date of service thereof. This five-day minimum is waived in the case of an imminent public health hazard as determined by the Borough Council or its agents or employees. A duplicate of the notice shall be left with one or more of the tenants or occupants of the premises. If the owner resides out of state or cannot be notified speedily, such notice shall be left at that place or premises with the tenant or occupant thereof or posted on the premises, and such action shall be considered proper notification to the owner, tenant or occupant thereof.
Any person or persons who violate or fail or neglect to comply with any provision of this article or notice issued pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to a penalty of not less than $5 nor more than $500 for each violation.