Can I keep chickens in Clifton, NJ?
Yes — Clifton allows backyard chickens, up to 5 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Ch. 516, Article VIII, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($125) |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Suitable, durable coop required; at least 20 ft from adjacent property line. No waste accumulation beyond 12 hours, no noxious odors, no rodent or insect harborage. Annual health inspection; $65 reinspection fee. |
| Code section | Ch. 516, Article VIII |
Clifton allows up to 5 fowl for new license holders, requiring a $125/year Health Department license and annual inspection. Crowing roosters are prohibited. Slaughter within city limits is banned. The coop must be at least 20 feet from the adjacent property line and maintained in sanitary condition.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Clifton?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Clifton (Ch. 516, Article VIII).
How many chickens can I keep in Clifton?
Up to 5 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Clifton?
Yes — Clifton requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $125).
Are roosters allowed in Clifton?
No — roosters are prohibited in Clifton.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Clifton?
20 feet minimum. Suitable, durable coop required; at least 20 ft from adjacent property line. No waste accumulation beyond 12 hours, no noxious odors, no rodent or insect harborage. Annual health inspection; $65 reinspection fee.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Clifton?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Clifton's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Clifton?
Ch. 516, Article VIII. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ch. 516, Article VIII — read the official code
“Except for existing license holders, no person shall have more than five fowls on their property. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain a crowing rooster, screaming fowl or chattering fowl within the City of Clifton. The fee for the annual license shall be $125. [Coop] shall be at least 20 feet from the adjacent property line. No person shall slaughter, kill or butcher any chickens or any fowl within the City of Clifton. [Added 9-1-1998 by Ord. No. 5996-98; amended 4-18-2023 by Ord. No. 7813-23]” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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