NJ chicken rules · Union County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Cranford, NJ?
Cranford allows farm animals only on a lot of at least 5 acres and with a township license, so backyard chickens aren't realistic on an ordinary residential lot.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Not specified (gated by the 5-acre and license rules) |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Required (license to keep any farm animal; application states kind and number) |
| Coop setback | No numeric setback; a license can be denied if a neighbor is adversely affected by noise, odor, or unsightliness |
| Lot size | Minimum 5 acres to keep any farm animal |
Good to know
- Chickens are treated as farm animals under the animals chapter; there's no separate backyard-hen allowance.
- The 5-acre minimum makes it infeasible on typical lots.
- Governed by the farm-animals article.
Source: Township of Cranford Code, Ch. 198 Animals, Art. VIII (eCode360), §§ 198-36 to 198-41 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Cranford clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Cranford?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across UnionCounty and all of New Jersey, sized to your flock and built to your town's rules.
New to this? Start with how to raise chickens in NJ, or what a coop costs.
Ready to keep your flock safe?
Tell us about your animals and your land. We'll design a coop built to last, on-site, just for you.