Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinances Animals Landlords topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wallington Board of Health adopts two ordinances restricting animals in food establishments and requiring landlord pet reports
Summary
The Wallington Board of Health on May 20 adopted Ordinance 2026-001 to restrict animals in food establishments and Ordinance 2026-002 requiring landlords with five or more units to report a census of dogs and cats; both passed unanimously after no public comment.
The Wallington Board of Health adopted two ordinances at its May 20 meeting that limit animals in food establishments and require certain landlords to report pets living in rental properties.
Board Attorney William Fenwick read Ordinance No. 2026-001 by title, describing amendments to Borough Sanitary Code Section 396 that restrict animals from restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores, delicatessens, bakeries and butcher shops. Patricia Pinto moved to read the ordinance by title and, after opening a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke, Pinto moved to adopt the ordinance. The board voted unanimously to adopt 2026-001; Fenwick advised it will become effective upon publication in accordance with law.
The board also considered Ordinance No. 2026-002, an amendment to Borough Sanitary Code Section 396 requiring landlords who own five or more units to provide a census of dogs and cats residing in their properties. The ordinance was read by title, a public hearing was opened with no speakers, and the board adopted 2026-002 by unanimous roll call vote. Fenwick advised that Ordinance 2026-002 becomes effective 60 days after passage.
Board members discussed next steps for public information and enforcement. The board agreed to provide signage and a copy of Ordinance 2026-001 to ShopRite, where most concerns about animals in the store had been reported, and discussed enforcement procedures, including how to handle service animals and emotional-support animals and when to involve the health officer or police department. Members noted ordinances can be amended later if needed.
The board also formally welcomed Councilwoman Sylwia Hejzner as the board’s liaison; she had joined the meeting after it began.
The ordinances were adopted after no public comment was offered during the hearings. The attorney’s statements set the effective dates: 2026-001 on publication and 2026-002 60 days after passage.
