NJ chicken rules · Essex County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Maplewood, NJ?
Maplewood runs a capped program: up to 15 single-family households township-wide may each keep no more than 5 hens (no roosters) with a $30 annual permit and written consent from all touching neighbors.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 5 |
| Roosters | Not permitted |
| Permit | Required ($30/year Health Officer permit; application needs signed consent from all contiguous neighbors) |
| Coop setback | Coop at least 10 ft from any property line and 30 ft from a neighbor's house (unless that neighbor consents); behind the front of the house |
| Lot size | No minimum; single-family homes only |
Good to know
- The program is capped at 15 households township-wide; hens are for household eggs only, no selling of chicks, chickens, or eggs.
- Coop up to 30 sq ft and 6 ft high, with an attached run up to 36 sq ft.
- No outdoor slaughtering; no approval in an area with a known rat infestation.
Source: Township of Maplewood Code, Ch. 113 Animals, Art. VI (eCode360), §§ 113-33 to 113-42 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Maplewood clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Maplewood?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across EssexCounty 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.