Can you keep chickens in City of Egg Harbor City, NJ?
No, not on ordinary house lots. The zoning code's residential agriculture use expressly excludes poultry, and general agriculture is listed only in the R-20F forest residential zone, where lots are 20 acres.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- The R-22, R-11, R-9, R-6 and R-3.2C residential zones allow residential agriculture, which the code defines to exclude poultry and livestock.
- Uses left out of the Schedule of District Regulations are excluded from all districts (§ 170-19).
- Agriculture is a listed principal use only in the R-20F Forest Residential zone (20-acre lots).
- § 97-103 says it does not prohibit farm animals in the R-22 and R-20F zones, but the R-22 zone use list still allows only residential agriculture.
Source: Egg Harbor City Code (eCode360), § 170-17, Definitions (Residential agriculture); § 170-19; Schedule of District Regulations; § 97-103 (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the City of Egg Harbor City clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Atlantic County towns
Compare them side by side in the Atlantic County table.
We build across Atlantic County
City of Egg Harbor Citydoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout AtlanticCounty and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
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