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Residential Backyard Chickens

Chickens

General Requirements to Maintain Chickens on Residential Property    

2024 Backyard Chicken Application

  • Chickens may be kept and maintained on residential property within the Township only in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
  • The keeping and maintenance of chickens on residential property that is farmland assessed pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.1, the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964, is not subject to the provisions of this chapter.

License Required.

  • No person shall be permitted to keep chickens on their residential property in accordance with this chapter without having first obtained a license from the licensing authority.
  • No license shall be issued unless the applicant is the owner of the land to be used to keep the chickens or, if renting, has the express permission of such owner. Further, the licensure or keeping of chickens under this chapter is only permitted so long as such activity is not prohibited or restricted by any master deed, covenants, restrictions, easements, homeowners' association documents, including bylaws, and any similar documents as well as any amendments to any such documents. Applicants who are part of a homeowners' association may not obtain a license unless the applicant's association permits the keeping of chickens on residential property.
  • Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a chicken on residential property pursuant to this chapter shall apply for and procure a license from the licensing authority for each such chicken, which license shall expire on January 31 of the following year. License renewals shall be obtained for each chicken in the month of January of each subsequent year from the Township Clerk.
  • Before obtaining a license, the applicant must certify:
    • He or she has taken necessary measures to educate themselves about raising chickens. Such measures include but are not limited to education regarding hygiene and sanitation, appropriate fencing and knowledge of veterinarians who specialize in poultry;
    • He or she is the owner of the residential dwelling and the property where the coop is located or, if an applicant rents his or her residential dwelling, has obtained permission from the property owner to keep and maintain chickens on said property;
    • He or she has provided and will maintain an appropriate shelter or coop for the number of chickens sought to be licensed and has obtained all necessary permits and approvals required for such accessory building or structure;
    • His or her keeping of chickens under this chapter is not prohibited or restricted by any master deed, covenants, restrictions, easements, homeowners' association documents, including bylaws, and any similar documents as well as any amendments to any such documents. The applicant must affirmatively represent, if applicable, that his or her homeowners' association permits his or her keeping of chickens on residential property.
    • The applicant's lot meets the required definition of residential property and the size of the applicant's lot meets the minimum lot size required under this Chapter for the number of chickens he or she is seeking to license.
  • An application for a license to maintain chickens on residential property shall be submitted to the Township Clerk during the month of January of each year, on such forms as required by the Township Clerk consistent with the provisions of this Chapter.  Siad application shall be accompanied by payment of a license fee in the amount of $25.00 - $100.00. 
    • Any owner keeping, harboring, or maintaining any unlicensed chicken or who shall permit one to be harbored or maintained within the Township of Westampton after January 31 shall be required to pay an additional delinquency fee of $10 for not licensing the chicken(s) in January of that year, plus the required license fee, in addition to any other fines or penalties required by law. Said delinquency shall not apply to any new applications for chickens acquired by the owner after January 31 of the licensing year.

Required shelters

  • Chickens shall be housed in structures, commonly known as "coops," with enclosed runs, which shall be maintained to ensure the safety of the chickens and individuals. The following minimum standards shall be maintained at all times:
    • Each shelter and enclosed run shall be located in the rear yard only of a residential property.
    • Each shelter and enclosed run shall be located at least ten (10) feet from any property line and at least fifteen (15) feet from any principal residential dwelling unit on an adjoining property. This fifteen (15) foot setback does not include garages either attached or detached, or other accessory buildings and structures.
    • Shelters may not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area, or eight (8)  feet in height.
    • Fences for each enclosed run shall be a minimum of four (4) feet in height and shall not exceed a maximum of six (6) feet in height.
    • Each shelter and enclosed run and all areas within which chickens are allowed to roam shall be kept clean and free from vermin and rodents.
    • Chickens may be permitted to roam outside of the shelter and enclosed run during daylight hours in the side and rear yards only of the residential property only if said residential property is appropriately fenced in accordance with the Township Code.
    • Shelters established under this chapter shall constitute accessory buildings pursuant to Township Code.