NJ chicken rules · Union County
Backyard chicken rules in Union County, NJ
Every town in Union County sets its own rule. Of the 20 we have read, 4 allow backyard hens outright or with conditions, 12 ban them, and 4 have no clear rule in the code. Each town page cites the ordinance it comes from.
| Town | Hens | Roosters | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Township of Berkeley Heights | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available for fowl |
| Township of Clark | Not permitted (grandfathered keepers: up to 6) | Not permitted | No permit path for new keepers |
| Township of Cranford | Not specified (gated by the 5-acre and license rules) | Not specified | Required (license to keep any farm animal; application states kind and number) |
| City of Elizabeth | Up to 25 birds without a permit | Not specified | Required from the health division for more than 25 birds |
| Borough of Fanwood | Up to 3 hens | Prohibited | Required: annual permit after site inspection, $25 per chicken per year plus a one-time $50 zoning review fee |
| Borough of Garwood | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Township of Hillside | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Borough of Kenilworth | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| City of Linden | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Borough of Mountainside | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Borough of New Providence | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| City of Plainfield | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| City of Rahway | Not specified | Crowing roosters prohibited | No poultry permit exists |
| Borough of Roselle | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Borough of Roselle Park | Not permitted | Prohibited | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Township of Scotch Plains | Up to 6 | Prohibited | Required ($100 annual Health Department license plus a $75 zoning permit; survey required) |
| Township of Springfield | Not specified | Not specified | No poultry permit exists |
| City of Summit | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not available for fowl |
| Township of Union | Not specified | Not specified | No poultry permit exists |
| Town of Westfield | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not available |
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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