Can you keep chickens in City of Union City, NJ?
Yes, with a permit. You need an annual permit from the Health Officer, you may keep no more than 50 birds, and the birds cannot be kept within 25 feet of anyone else's occupied building.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 50 birds total |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Required: annual permit from the Health Officer, expires December 31 |
| Coop setback | Not within 25 feet of a building owned by another person and used for habitation, occupation or assembly |
| Lot size | No minimum stated |
Good to know
- Chapter 70, Article II covers pigeons, chickens, ducks and other poultry together.
- The coop must be dry, ventilated, painted or whitewashed inside, and cleaned at least once a week.
- Perches and nests must be removable, and drinking cups must hold clean water at all times.
- The permit can be revoked after a hearing if the conditions are not met or the keeping becomes a nuisance.
Source: Union City Code (eCode360), §§ 70-11 to 70-16, Keeping of Birds (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the City of Union City clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Hudson County towns
Building a coop in City of Union City?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across HudsonCounty and all of New Jersey, sized to your flock and built to your town's rules.
In an HOA? The town allowing hens is not the same as your association allowing them. What an HOA can and cannot stop.
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.