New Jersey Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits & Setbacks by City and Town

New Jersey Statewide Laws

New Jersey has no statewide hen limit, rooster ban, backyard permit, or coop setback. Each city, borough, and township writes its own rule. Some towns license large flocks. Others ban poultry on residential lots.

Can I keep chickens in a New Jersey?

Often yes, with local conditions. Jersey City allows up to 50 chickens with a license. Elizabeth allows up to 25 fowl without a permit. Clifton caps new licenses at 5 fowl and bans crowing roosters. Newark requires a permit and bans roosters but does not publish a hen number. Paterson and Bayonne ban backyard chickens. Edison requires a license and setbacks; it does not publish a hen limit.

Important: ⚠️Always verify with your municipal clerk or zoning office and any HOA before you keep chickens.

New Jersey Major Cities Ordinances

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Note: Not specified means the city code does not set that number. No published ordinance means no hen, rooster, permit, or setback rule was found in the city’s published code.

Jersey City, NJ

Hen Limit: Up to 50 chickens, ducks, or other poultry | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any structure used for human habitation

Newark, NJ

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 20 ft from doors or windows of any occupied premises

Trenton, NJ

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Paterson, NJ

Paterson, NJ has a total ban on backyard chickens within city limits

Lakewood, NJ

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Toms River, NJ

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Edison, NJ

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 50 ft from any place people congregate; 10 ft from property lines

Elizabeth, NJ

Hen Limit: Up to 25 chickens or other fowl without a permit | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required for more than 25 | Setback: 150 ft from any residence other than the owner’s

Clifton, NJ

Hen Limit: Up to 5 fowl (new licenses) | Roosters: Not Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Cherry Hill, NJ

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

New Jersey Ordinances by City & County

Atlantic County, NJ

Absecon, NJ

Absecon, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Atlantic City, NJ

Atlantic City, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Egg Harbor City, NJ

Egg Harbor City, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Egg Harbor Township, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hammonton, NJ

Hammonton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mays Landing, NJ

Mays Landing, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pleasantville, NJ

Pleasantville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bergen County, NJ

Bergenfield, NJ

Bergenfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cliffside Park, NJ

Cliffside Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dumont, NJ

Dumont, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Elmwood Park, NJ

Elmwood Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Englewood, NJ

Englewood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fair Lawn, NJ

Fair Lawn, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fairview, NJ

Fairview, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fort Lee, NJ

Fort Lee, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Franklin Lakes, NJ

Franklin Lakes, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Garfield, NJ

Garfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Glen Rock, NJ

Glen Rock, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hackensack, NJ

Hackensack, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hillsdale, NJ

Hillsdale, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lodi, NJ

Lodi, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lyndhurst, NJ

Lyndhurst, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mahwah, NJ

Mahwah, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

New Milford, NJ

New Milford, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

North Arlington, NJ

North Arlington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Oakland, NJ

Oakland, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Palisades Park, NJ

Palisades Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Paramus, NJ

Paramus, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ramsey, NJ

Ramsey, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ridgefield, NJ

Ridgefield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ridgefield Park, NJ

Ridgefield Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ridgewood, NJ

Ridgewood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

River Edge, NJ

River Edge, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rutherford, NJ

Rutherford, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saddle Brook, NJ

Saddle Brook, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saddle River, NJ

Saddle River, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Teaneck, NJ

Teaneck, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Tenafly, NJ

Tenafly, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Waldwick, NJ

Waldwick, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wallington, NJ

Wallington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westwood, NJ

Westwood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wyckoff, NJ

Wyckoff, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Burlington County, NJ

Bordentown, NJ

Bordentown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Browns Mills, NJ

Browns Mills, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Burlington, NJ

Burlington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lumberton, NJ

Lumberton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Maple Shade, NJ

Maple Shade, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Medford, NJ

Medford, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Moorestown, NJ

Moorestown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mount Holly, NJ

Mount Holly, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mount Laurel, NJ

Mount Laurel, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Riverside, NJ

Riverside, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Riverton, NJ

Riverton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Vincentown, NJ

Vincentown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Willingboro, NJ

Willingboro, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Camden County, NJ

Atco, NJ

Atco, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bellmawr, NJ

Bellmawr, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Berlin, NJ

Berlin, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Blackwood, NJ

Blackwood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clementon, NJ

Clementon, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Collingswood, NJ

Collingswood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Gloucester City, NJ

Gloucester City, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Haddonfield, NJ

Haddonfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Merchantville, NJ

Merchantville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Oaklyn, NJ

Oaklyn, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pennsauken, NJ

Pennsauken, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sicklerville, NJ

Sicklerville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Voorhees, NJ

Voorhees, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cape May County, NJ

Cape May, NJ

Cape May, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cape May Court House, NJ

Cape May Court House, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wildwood, NJ

Wildwood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cumberland County, NJ

Bridgeton, NJ

Bridgeton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Millville, NJ

Millville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Vineland, NJ

Vineland, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Essex County, NJ

Belleville, NJ

Belleville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bloomfield, NJ

Bloomfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Caldwell, NJ

Caldwell, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cedar Grove, NJ

Cedar Grove, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

East Orange, NJ

East Orange, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Irvington, NJ

Irvington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Livingston, NJ

Livingston, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Maplewood, NJ

Maplewood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Montclair, NJ

Montclair, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Nutley, NJ

Nutley, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Orange, NJ

Orange, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Short Hills, NJ

Short Hills, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

South Orange, NJ

South Orange, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Verona, NJ

Verona, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

West Orange, NJ

West Orange, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Gloucester County, NJ

Glassboro, NJ

Glassboro, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mullica Hill, NJ

Mullica Hill, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sewell, NJ

Sewell, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Swedesboro, NJ

Swedesboro, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Williamstown, NJ

Williamstown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Woodbury, NJ

Woodbury, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hudson County, NJ

Bayonne, NJ

Bayonne, NJ has a total ban on backyard chickens within city limits

Harrison, NJ

Harrison, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hoboken, NJ

Hoboken, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Kearny, NJ

Kearny, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

North Bergen, NJ

North Bergen, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Secaucus, NJ

Secaucus, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Union City, NJ

Union City, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Weehawken, NJ

Weehawken, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

West New York, NJ

West New York, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hunterdon County, NJ

Flemington, NJ

Flemington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Whitehouse Station, NJ

Whitehouse Station, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mercer County, NJ

Hightstown, NJ

Hightstown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lawrence Township, NJ

Lawrence Township, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pennington, NJ

Pennington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Princeton, NJ

Princeton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Princeton Junction, NJ

Princeton Junction, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Robbinsville, NJ

Robbinsville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Middlesex County, NJ

Avenel, NJ

Avenel, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Carteret, NJ

Carteret, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Colonia, NJ

Colonia, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cranbury, NJ

Cranbury, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dunellen, NJ

Dunellen, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

East Brunswick, NJ

East Brunswick, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fords, NJ

Fords, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Highland Park, NJ

Highland Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Iselin, NJ

Iselin, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Kendall Park, NJ

Kendall Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Metuchen, NJ

Metuchen, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Middlesex, NJ

Middlesex, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Monmouth Junction, NJ

Monmouth Junction, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

New Brunswick, NJ

New Brunswick, NJ has a total ban on backyard chickens on residential lots

North Brunswick, NJ

North Brunswick, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Old Bridge, NJ

Old Bridge, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Parlin, NJ

Parlin, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Perth Amboy, NJ

Perth Amboy, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Piscataway, NJ

Piscataway, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Plainsboro, NJ

Plainsboro, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sayreville, NJ

Sayreville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

South Amboy, NJ

South Amboy, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

South Plainfield, NJ

South Plainfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

South River, NJ

South River, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Woodbridge, NJ

Woodbridge, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Monmouth County, NJ

Asbury Park, NJ

Asbury Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Belmar, NJ

Belmar, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Eatontown, NJ

Eatontown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Englishtown, NJ

Englishtown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Freehold, NJ

Freehold, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hazlet, NJ

Hazlet, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Holmdel, NJ

Holmdel, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Howell, NJ

Howell, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Keansburg, NJ

Keansburg, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Keyport, NJ

Keyport, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Long Branch, NJ

Long Branch, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Manasquan, NJ

Manasquan, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Marlboro, NJ

Marlboro, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Matawan, NJ

Matawan, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Middletown, NJ

Middletown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Morganville, NJ

Morganville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Neptune, NJ

Neptune, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Red Bank, NJ

Red Bank, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Morris County, NJ

Boonton, NJ

Boonton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Budd Lake, NJ

Budd Lake, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Butler, NJ

Butler, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Chatham, NJ

Chatham, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Denville, NJ

Denville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dover, NJ

Dover, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

East Hanover, NJ

East Hanover, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Flanders, NJ

Flanders, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Florham Park, NJ

Florham Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Long Valley, NJ

Long Valley, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Madison, NJ

Madison, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Montville, NJ

Montville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Morris Plains, NJ

Morris Plains, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Morristown, NJ

Morristown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Parsippany, NJ

Parsippany, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Randolph, NJ

Randolph, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rockaway, NJ

Rockaway, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Succasunna, NJ

Succasunna, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wharton, NJ

Wharton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ocean County, NJ

Barnegat, NJ

Barnegat, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bayville, NJ

Bayville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Beachwood, NJ

Beachwood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Brick, NJ

Brick, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Forked River, NJ

Forked River, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jackson, NJ

Jackson, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Manahawkin, NJ

Manahawkin, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Manchester Township, NJ

Manchester Township, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Tuckerton, NJ

Tuckerton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Passaic County, NJ

Haledon, NJ

Haledon, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hawthorne, NJ

Hawthorne, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Little Falls, NJ

Little Falls, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Oak Ridge, NJ

Oak Ridge, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Passaic, NJ

Passaic, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pompton Lakes, NJ

Pompton Lakes, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pompton Plains, NJ

Pompton Plains, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ringwood, NJ

Ringwood, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Totowa, NJ

Totowa, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wayne, NJ

Wayne, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

West Milford, NJ

West Milford, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Salem County, NJ

Elmer, NJ

Elmer, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Penns Grove, NJ

Penns Grove, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pennsville, NJ

Pennsville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Somerset County, NJ

Basking Ridge, NJ

Basking Ridge, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Belle Mead, NJ

Belle Mead, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bound Brook, NJ

Bound Brook, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bridgewater, NJ

Bridgewater, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hillsborough, NJ

Hillsborough, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Somerset, NJ

Somerset, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Somerville, NJ

Somerville, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Warren, NJ

Warren, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sussex County, NJ

Hopatcong, NJ

Hopatcong, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Newton, NJ

Newton, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sparta, NJ

Sparta, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sussex, NJ

Sussex, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Union County, NJ

Berkeley Heights, NJ

Berkeley Heights, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clark, NJ

Clark, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cranford, NJ

Cranford, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Elizabethport, NJ

Elizabethport, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hillside, NJ

Hillside, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Linden, NJ

Linden, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

New Providence, NJ

New Providence, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rahway, NJ

Rahway, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Roselle, NJ

Roselle, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Roselle Park, NJ

Roselle Park, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Scotch Plains, NJ

Scotch Plains, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Springfield, NJ

Springfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Summit, NJ

Summit, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Union, NJ

Union, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westfield, NJ

Westfield, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Warren County, NJ

Hackettstown, NJ

Hackettstown, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Phillipsburg, NJ

Phillipsburg, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Washington, NJ

Washington, NJ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rural & Unincorporated Areas

New Jersey has no unincorporated county land the way many states do. Every address sits inside a municipality, so the local ordinance—not a county “rural code”—is the rule that applies. Townships in Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Salem, and Cumberland are often more open to flocks than Hudson or Essex cities, but that is still a town-by-town choice.

The Right to Farm Act (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-1 et seq.) can shield a commercial farm that meets eligibility rules from some nuisance suits. A backyard flock on a standard lot usually does not qualify. Confirm both the municipal animal chapter and any farmland assessment before you assume a rural-looking street is unrestricted.

Zoning, Permits, Coops, and HOAs

Home rule is the whole game in New Jersey. One borough may license five hens; the next one may ban farm animals outright. A coop is almost always an accessory structure, so lot-line, height, and rear-yard zoning apply even when the health code is silent on hen counts.

A health-department license does not beat a recorded covenant. If the HOA or deed restriction forbids poultry, that restriction controls the lot. Read the covenants and call zoning before you order birds.

Selling Backyard Eggs in New Jersey

Eggs are not covered by New Jersey’s cottage-food rule. Direct sales sit under the Department of Agriculture and municipal animal codes. Small producers who sell only to the end consumer are generally outside federal grading (7 C.F.R. § 57.100), but many towns still require an NJDA egg-dealer path once you leave the farm gate, and some cities—Princeton among them—bar egg sales entirely.

Label, refrigerate, and keep the sale personal-use unless you have confirmed both NJDA and your local health officer. A city hen permit is not an egg-sales license.

New Jersey Poultry Slaughter Rules

Birds you raise and process for your household, nonpaying guests, and employees are exempt from inspection under N.J.S.A. 24:16B-42. Custom slaughter for the owner’s household is also exempt if the processor is not buying and selling meat.

New Jersey recognizes the federal producer-grower 1,000- and 20,000-bird exemptions for in-state sales. Direct-to-consumer exempt processing is typically overseen by the local health department; wholesale moves to state health. Several cities, including Newark and Clifton, separately ban on-site slaughter. Check that local ban before you process a bird in the yard.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

Dense lots and raccoons are the two constants across most New Jersey towns. Our compact, lockable coop plans are drawn for tight yards. For flock care, permits, and predator-proofing, use the Ultimate Backyard Chicken Coop Management Guide.

Official Sources

1. We reference New Jersey municipal bylaws and ordinances from verified platforms like ecode360.com, municode.com, and local government websites at the time of publication.

2. New Jersey Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division

3. When a city or county has no published ordinance available in the sources above, we state “no publicly available ordinance data.” This does not mean chickens are banned — only that we could not locate a citable published rule. See our disclaimer below.