NJ chicken rules · Middlesex County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Edison, NJ?
Edison lets residents keep backyard poultry for personal use only, and only with a license. There's no set cap on the number of hens, but the coop must sit at least 10 feet from property lines and well away from dwellings and food establishments.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No stated limit |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Required (Zoning and Health officers, plus a license from the Division of Licenses) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft from property lines; 50 ft from places people congregate; 200 ft from food establishments |
| Lot size | — |
Good to know
- Governed by the noncommercial poultry section (§ 9-26); a separate section covers commercial poultry.
- Coops need concrete floors, must be apart from any dwelling, and droppings removed at least weekly.
- Keeping poultry for sale or slaughter is not authorized.
Source: Township of Edison Code, Ch. 9, Art. V (eCode360), § 9-26.1, 9-26.5 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Edison clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Edison?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across MiddlesexCounty 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.