Town Of Hackettstown: Ordinance #21-15-AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HACKETTSTOWN AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE TOWN ORDINANCES PROHIBITING ...

Press release from the Town of Hackettstown:

November 15, 2021 - 10:39am

ORD 2021-15

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HACKETTSTOWN

AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE TOWN ORDINANCES

PROHIBITING LIVESTOCK ON PROPERTIES LESS THAN TWO (2) ACRES

WHEREAS, the Town of Hackettstown has many residential neighborhoods possessing lots of relatively small size; and       

WHEREAS, the keeping of livestock and non-domesticated animals is incompatible with residential life in such neighborhoods; and

            WHEREAS, the Town Council wishes to prohibit the keeping of such livestock and non-domesticated animals within the Town’s borders on lots of less than two (2) acres in size; and

            WHEREAS, the Town Council wishes to permit an exception, to allow chickens (hens, not roosters) on lots of less than (2) acres.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Common Council of the Town of Hackettstown, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, as follows:

            Section One: Chapter 6 the Town’s Ordinance Code, entitled “Animals”, is hereby amended with the inclusion of new Section 6-16, entitled “Livestock”, to read as follows:

6-16.    Livestock

The keeping of any livestock or non-domesticated animal shall be prohibited on any lot in Hackettstown of less than two (2) acres. 

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a, chicken hens may be kept on such lots, provided they are kept within an enclosure.  Not more than four (4) chickens may be kept on lots of up to one-half acre, and no more than eight (8) chickens may be kept on lots greater than one-half acre.

Violations of this Section may be enforced in any manner the Town deems appropriate, including but not limited to bringing an appropriate ordinance enforcement action. When an ordinance enforcement action is brought, the provisions of Town Code §6-14), as amended from time to time, shall apply. Violators shall also be subject to a fine of twenty-five ($25) per day.  In addition to any other remedies, the Town may institute proceedings for injunction or other appropriate remedies to prevent, enjoin, abate or remove any violations of this Section.  The rights and remedies provided herein are civil in nature. The imposition of a fine shall not exempt the violator from compliance with the provisions of this Section.

Section Two:  If any section, subdivision, paragraph, clause, or provision of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid, such adjudication shall apply only to such section, subdivision, paragraph, clause, or provision and the remainder of this ordinance shall be deemed valid and effective.  All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency. 

Section Three: This ordinance shall become effective upon final passage and publication according to law.

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the aforesaid ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Common Council of the Town of Hackettstown, New Jersey, held on November 8, 2021, and that at a regular meeting of the same to be held on December 9, 2021 at the Municipal Building, 215 Stiger Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey, at the hour of 7:00 p.m., the said Common Council will conduct a public hearing and will consider the final passage of said ordinance.

                                                                                    WILLIAM W. KUSTER, JR.

                                                                                    Town Clerk/Administrator

This press release was produced by the Town of Hackettstown. The views expressed here are the author’s own.