New Jersey Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Last updated: 2026-02-21

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Quick Summary

New Jersey does not have a statewide commercial dog breeder license. However, anyone who operates a kennel or pet shop must get a license from their local municipality under NJSA 4:19-15.8. Breeding kennels must be inspected by local health authorities and meet state sanitation standards.

License Required Yes, municipal kennel license
Annual Fee $10 - $25 (state minimum)
Threshold Any kennel operation

Regulatory Agency: Local municipal governments (under New Jersey Department of Health guidelines)

Who Needs a License in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, anyone who keeps or runs a kennel, pet shop, shelter, or pound must get a license from their local municipality. There is no separate statewide breeder license. A 'pet dealer' is any person who sells more than 5 cats or dogs in one year as a regular business. If you run a breeding kennel, you need a municipal kennel license regardless of how many dogs you have. The license covers your entire facility, so you do not need individual dog licenses for dogs kept at a licensed kennel.

How to Apply

You apply for a kennel license through the clerk or the official in charge of dog licensing in your city or town. Your application must describe where your kennel is located and what it will be used for. You also need written approval from your local municipal authorities and health officials showing that your facility meets all local and state rules for location and sanitation. The New Jersey Department of Health provides guidelines that municipalities follow.

Fees and Costs

The state sets minimum kennel license fees: $10 per year for a kennel with 10 or fewer dogs, and $25 per year for a kennel with more than 10 dogs. Pet shop licenses cost $10 per year. No fee is charged for shelters or pounds. Keep in mind that your local municipality may charge higher fees than these state minimums.

Inspections and Compliance

Your kennel must be inspected and approved by local health authorities before you can get a license. Inspections check that your facility meets state and local rules for sanitation, building standards, and zoning. The New Jersey Department of Health and local boards of health have the power to recommend revoking your license if you do not keep your facility in compliance.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Under the New Jersey Pet Purchase Protection Act, pet dealers must provide buyers with certain information about the animal being sold, including health records and any known conditions. Kennel operators should keep records of all animals housed, sold, or transferred, along with health and vaccination records. Municipalities may have their own record-keeping requirements as well.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Your kennel license can be revoked by the municipality if the New Jersey Department of Health or local board of health finds that you are not following the rules, after you have been given a hearing. All licenses expire on the last day of June each year, and operating without a valid license is a violation of state law. Breaking animal welfare rules can lead to fines and, in serious cases, criminal charges under New Jersey's animal cruelty statutes.

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