Use the links below to access the licensing application forms for dogs and cats. After your paperwork is approved by a member of the health department, you will receive a payment request via email.
Click to access application form
Click to access application form
Important information
Please note: by municipal ordinance 10-2.9, all dogs are required to be held on a leash by an individual capable of controlling the dog(s) everywhere in the city, except in the location where the dog resides.
State law requires the licensing of every dog that has either reached the age of seven months or has a set of permanent teeth. By local ordinance, all cats are required to be licensed at seven months.
Licenses must be obtained from the municipality in which the animal resides. Any resident who shall own, keep or harbor any pet of licensing age in Summit for more than 10 days, shall immediately apply for a license. However, a current license from another New Jersey municipality is accepted as compliance. When that license expires, the animal must be licensed in Summit.
Licenses must be renewed annually. The 2025 deadline to renew dog and cat licenses is June 2, 2025. Renewals received after June 2nd will incur a late fee of $10.00 per pet.
Proof of rabies vaccination must accompany an application. The State Health Department allows a two-month grace period for rabies immunity; therefore, the rabies vaccination must be valid through March 31, 2026.
For medical reasons, some pets are given a one-year inoculation that may not cover the registration period. In this case, your veterinarian should complete the Certificate of Exemption from Rabies Vaccinationform. Residents should submit the completed form to the Health Department with their pet’s license renewal.
If the animal is spayed or neutered, a certificate from the veterinarian must also accompany the initial application.
License fee for a pet that is spayed/neutered is $15.00. License fee for a pet that is non-spayed/non-neutered is $21.00.
Licenses are not transferable between animals.
If a pet's tag is lost, there will be a $10.00 duplicate license fee.
Please notify the Health Department if your pet no longer resides in Summit, you no longer own the pet, or if the pet is deceased. We will update our system to avoid sending you any late notices or summons.
Summit residents with questions about licensing or rabies vaccinations should call the Summit Health Department at (908) 277-6464.
If you prefer to print out an application and mail it to the health department or submit it in person, please use this form.