[Adopted 3-13-1968 by Ord. No. H5-68 (Ch. 98 of the 1969
Code)]
A.
B.
No animals or fowl shall be kept, harbored, grazed or otherwise maintained
within 50 feet of any dwelling on any adjoining or adjacent property
in which people reside or in any way inhabit. However, this provision
shall not apply to premises presently in use for this purpose consisting
of 40 acres or more devoted to such use.
[Added 6-12-1968 by Ord. No. H9-68]
[Amended 6-6-2007 by Ord. No. 15-07]
A.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
NONDOMESTIC ANIMAL
Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following definitions
shall apply:
Cat, dog or other animal customarily considered to be a pet.
Includes all others.
B.
No person, corporation or other entity shall suffer, allow or permit
the keeping, boarding, or maintaining of any nondomestic animals,
farm animals or livestock, including but not by way of limitation
horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, mules, alpacas, llamas,
poultry or other fowl (all of the foregoing collectively referred
to as "animals and fowl"), within the Township of Morris, except as
provided herein.
C.
The keeping, boarding or harboring of such nondomestic animals or
fowl within the Township of Morris on properties less than three acres
in size is deemed to be prohibited as a nuisance. Animals or fowl
may only be kept, maintained or harbored in the Township of Morris
on sufficient ground area such that there shall be a minimum of three
acres for the first two animals and an additional minimum of one acre
for each additional animal. Keeping or maintaining fowl shall require
three acres for the first 20 fowl and an additional acre for each
additional group of 20 fowl or fraction thereof. If there are animals
and fowl both maintained on the same premises in the Township of Morris,
the minimum lot size shall commence at five acres.
In the keeping, harboring, boarding or maintaining of animals
and fowl, the following rules and regulations regarding the same shall
be followed:
A.
All stables, buildings or accessory buildings must be cleaned of
all manure, garbage and other fifth.
B.
All manure, garbage and filth must be removed from the premises or
spread for cultivation purposes in a sanitary manner in accordance
with generally accepted agricultural practices.
C.
Prior to removal or spreading for cultivation purposes as provided for in § 514-20B, manure may be temporarily stored in a dry area on the premises; provided, however, that no manure pile shall be placed on top of the ground within 300 feet of any neighboring dwelling, no manure may be stored within 100 feet of any neighboring dwelling, and, if manure is stored between 100 feet and 300 feet of any neighboring dwelling, it must be placed in and kept in closed manure containers of such design and construction that flies, other insects and rodents cannot have access to the contents thereof.
D.
All buildings, stables and accessory buildings other than buildings
used in the production of milk or other food products shall be fogged
or sprayed at least twice each week with an insecticide which is designed
and intended to kill flies and other insects.
E.
All animals and fowl must be free from sickness and disease. Should
the Township Health Officer question the health of any animal or fowl,
he shall have the authority to require an examination by a doctor
of veterinary medicine, such examination to be at the expense of the
owner.
[Amended 6-12-1968 by Ord. No. H9-68]
[Amended 6-6-2007 by Ord. No. 15-07]
The Township of Morris has declared that the keeping and maintaining
of nondomestic animals and fowl on any property less than three acres
in size within the Township of Morris is a nuisance, and, accordingly,
the terms and conditions of this article shall be applicable to all
persons in the Township of Morris upon final passage and publication.
No person shall have acquired any rights to continue any such use
because such person may have heretofore harbored, kept or maintained
animals or fowl.
[Amended 6-6-2007 by Ord. No. 15-07]
This article may be enforced by any employee of the Health Department
of the Township of Morris and by the Township Zoning Officer. Any
persons, firm or corporation violating any provisions of this article
shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $200 and imprisonment in
jail for a period not exceeding 90 days, or both, in the discretion
of the Judge imposing such fine or penalty. Each and every day that
a violation shall be found to exist shall constitute a separate violation
of this article.
This article shall take effect immediately upon publication
and final passage thereof as provided for by law and shall be enforced
by the Township Health Officer.
