Cities and Townships That Allow Backyard Chickens in New Jersey

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Keeping chickens in the backyard for domestic purposes has become increasingly popular in many US states, including New Jersey. In addition to providing you with companionship and entertainment, backyard chickens will also bless you with fresh eggs. However, not every municipality allows residents to keep chickens in their backyards, as the laws regulating the keeping of chickens vary greatly from one municipality to another. In the city of Paterson, for example, the keeping of chickens is prohibited, while a maximum of fifty chickens is allowed in Jersey City.

Backyard Chickens in New Jersey

That is why you need you to need to check your local ordinances to make sure chickens are allowed before you acquire any. With that being said, below are some New Jersey cities and towns in which keeping backyard chickens is legal. Who knows? Your city or Township might appear on the list.

1. Newark, NJ

The City of Newark requires that residents obtain a permit from the Director of the Department of Health and Community Wellness for a fee of $10 before keeping any chickens. However,  keeping chickens in multi-family houses or multi-family house yards is not allowed within the city of Newark. Chickens must be kept confined in a suitable coop with an enclosed runway that must be kept thoroughly clean at all times. The City of Newark prohibits the keeping of roosters. Furthermore, the City Code requires that chicken coops be kept at least 20 feet away from neighboring residences.

2. Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City allows residents to keep chickens in their backyards under certain conditions. For starters, residents must first obtain a chicken-keeping license from the license issuing authority before keeping any chickens. Jersey City Code allows a maximum of 50 chickens to be kept at least 30 to 35 feet away from any structure owned by another and used for human habitation.

3. Elizabeth, NJ

Keeping backyard chickens is allowed in Elizabeth City, however, the city code states that no resident shall keep any chickens within one hundred fifty feet of any residence. According to Reflector, Elizabeth residents can keep as many chickens as they want so long as the birds are properly confined and sanitary requirements are met.

4. Hamilton Township, NJ

The Township of Hamilton, NJ, permits the keeping of backyard chickens in the RRS (Rural Resource Section) zone of Hamilton. However, the Township Code requires that chicken coups be kept 200 feet away from the property line. You cannot have chickens in the rural zone if you do not have enough space to follow this requirement. A maximum of 100 chickens is allowed per acre in the rural zone.

5. Trenton, NJ

Trenton, the capital city of New Jersey and the seat of Mercer County, allows residents to have backyard chickens under certain conditions. For starters, you need to obtain a license from the Health Officer for a fee of $10 before keeping any chickens. However, before a license is issued, the Health Officer will come and inspect and approve the site and the facility where you intend to keep the chickens. While Trenton code does not limit the number of chickens a resident can keep, it does require that chickens be kept in such a way that they do not constitute a public nuisance.

6. Clifton, NJ

To keep backyard chickens in the city of Clifton, residents must first obtain written permission from the City's Health Officer for a fee of $100. Clifton Code requires that chickens be kept in a suitable, durable coop, which shall be placed at least 20 feet away from the adjacent property line. Clifton residents can keep as many chickens as they want but not for the purpose of slaughtering within the City of Clifton.

7. Cherry Hill Township

In the Township of Cherry Hill, Camden County, NJ, chickens are allowed to be kept on properties zoned for agriculture. The Township zoning ordinance states that the keeping of chickens is not permitted on residential properties.

8. Brick Township, NJ

In the Township of Brick, Ocean County, NJ, chickens are categorized as Class IV animals and according to the Township Code, a maximum of four Class IV animals is allowed per property.  Chickens shall be kept for noncommercial purposes and the number of chickens a resident can keep will depend on the size of the enclosure in which the birds are intended to be kept, which may be approved by the Township Animal Control Officer.

9. Bayonne, NJ

The City of Bayonne allows residents to keep backyard chickens but not without the written consent of a majority of neighbors. In addition, you need to obtain a license from the Health Officer for an annual fee of $125 before keeping any chickens in the city of Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey.

A total of 50 chickens is allowed per property in Bayonne. However, owners must keep their chickens in such a way that they do not constitute a nuisance. Furthermore, chicken coops must be kept at least 20 feet away from any structure which is used for human habitation.

10. Union City, NJ

The keeping of backyard chickens is permitted within Union City. However, residents are not allowed to keep more than 50 chickens. And before keeping any chickens, residents must first obtain a permit from the Health Officer. Furthermore, Union City Code requires that chicken coops/pens be kept at least 25 feet away from any structure owned by another and used for human habitation.

Other Cities and Townships That Allow Backyard Chickens in New Jersey


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