[Added 11-13-2006 by Ord.
No. 2006-45]
The purpose of this article is to establish requirements for
the keeping of farm animals and wild or exotic animals and to establish
licensing procedures therefor.
No person, firm, household, corporation or other entity shall
keep any farm animal or wild or exotic animal within the Township
of Cranford unless such person or entity shall first apply for and
obtain a license from the licensing authority and shall comply with
all regulations contained in this article.
No farm animal or wild or exotic animal shall be kept by any
person or entity unless the land on which such animal is to be kept
shall consist of a minimum of five acres. The governing body of the
Township of Cranford finds and declares that such area is the minimum
needed for the keeping of such animals.
A.
All applications under this article shall be in writing and shall
state the kind and number of animals and the purpose for which they
will be kept, and the application shall be accompanied by a sketch
showing the location of all buildings or enclosures proposed for such
animals. The licensing authority may require the designation of genus
and species of the animal where deemed necessary.
B.
No license shall be granted where it appears from the application
that the occupant of any neighboring property shall be adversely affected
by the presence of the animals for which the license is sought. "Adversely
affected" shall be deemed to mean affected by noise, odor, unsightliness
or reasonably perceived danger of physical harm.
C.
Applications for licenses to harbor farm animals or wild or exotic
animals may be obtained upon request from the licensing authority.
D.
The licensing authority shall keep a permanent record of all such
applications and licenses.
E.
Provided that a properly completed application shall be submitted,
the licensing authority shall grant or deny the license applied for
within 20 days.
F.
The licensing authority may revoke any license issued under this
article in the event of violation by the licensee of any of the provisions
of this chapter.
G.
Where any license application is denied or any license is revoked
by the licensing authority, the applicant or licensee may, within
15 days of the denial or revocation, request a hearing before the
Township Committee. The Township Committee may affirm, modify or reverse
such denial or revocation. The hearing shall be held within 30 days
of the receipt of the request for hearing, and the determination of
the Township Committee shall be issued within 30 days after the hearing.
Nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to permit
the keeping of any animal or engaging in any practice prohibited by
Title 4 of the New Jersey Statutes or by any other law, ordinance
or regulation.
Any animal rehabilitator licensed by the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection shall be exempt from the provisions of
this article.
