NJ chicken rules · Ocean County
Backyard chicken rules in Ocean County, NJ
Every town in Ocean County sets its own rule. Of the 25 we have read, 14 allow backyard hens outright or with conditions, 2 ban them, and 9 have no clear rule in the code. Each town page cites the ordinance it comes from.
| Town | Hens | Roosters | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Township of Barnegat | One farm animal per acre | Not specified | Not specified; a conditional use permit is needed in the R-20 zone |
| Borough of Beachwood | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Township of Berkeley | Up to 9 hens | Prohibited on any property under one acre | Not specified |
| Township of Brick | Up to 4, more in an approved covered enclosure | Not specified | Not specified; the enclosure must be approved by the Township Animal Control Officer |
| Township of Eagleswood | No stated limit | Not specified | Not specified |
| Borough of Island Heights | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Jackson Township | No specific number (regulated by lot/animal-unit standards) | Not specified | Not specified (zoning applies) |
| Township of Lacey | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Borough of Lakehurst | No stated limit, but the coop needs 3 square feet per hen | Prohibited | Required: $10 annual license plus an approved chicken-keeping class |
| Township of Lakewood | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Borough of Lavallette | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Little Egg Harbor | 3 to 25, based on lot size | Prohibited | Required: $25 annual registration, renewed yearly |
| Township of Long Beach | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Manchester | No stated limit | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Ocean (Ocean County) | No stated limit | Not specified | Not required; a $5 inspection and certification is available on request |
| Borough of Ocean Gate | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Borough of Pine Beach | No stated limit | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Plumsted | No stated limit | Not specified | Not specified |
| Borough of Point Pleasant | Up to 12 birds per property | Allowed, but no more than one per property | Required: each bird licensed under § 5-3 |
| Borough of Point Pleasant Beach | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Borough of Seaside Heights | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Borough of South Toms River | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Stafford | Up to 12 on 0.20 to 0.25 acres; up to 20 on 0.26 to 0.50 acres | Prohibited on any residential property | Required: $20 annual registration with the Department of Animal Control |
| Township of Toms River | Up to 6 chickens | Prohibited | Not specified |
| Borough of Tuckerton | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Rules come from each town's municipal code and are cited on the town's own page. Ordinances change, so confirm with your town before you build. See every NJ town.
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