Can I keep chickens in Edison Township, NJ?
Yes, with conditions — Edison Township allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (§§ 9-26.1 through 9-26.5, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Coop rules | Coops/runs must be outside and apart from any dwelling or food establishment; concrete floors required; kept clean and sanitary; Health Officer inspection required; droppings removed weekly. No coop within 50 ft of any place where people congregate, 200 ft of any food or eating establishment, or 10 ft of any property line. |
| Code section | §§ 9-26.1 through 9-26.5 |
Edison Township allows noncommercial poultry keeping with written approval from the Zoning Officer and Health Officer and a license from the Division of Licenses. Coops must be at least 50 ft from places where people congregate, 200 ft from food or eating establishments, and 10 ft from property lines. No hen count limit appears in the official code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Edison Township?
Yes, with conditions — Edison Township allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (§§ 9-26.1 through 9-26.5).
How many chickens can I keep in Edison Township?
It depends on your lot. No numerical hen limit stated in the official code text. Secondary sources cite 6 hens but this cannot be verified against the ordinance.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Edison Township?
Yes — Edison Township requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Edison Township?
50 feet minimum. Coops/runs must be outside and apart from any dwelling or food establishment; concrete floors required; kept clean and sanitary; Health Officer inspection required; droppings removed weekly. No coop within 50 ft of any place where people congregate, 200 ft of any food or eating establishment, or 10 ft of any property line.
What law covers backyard chickens in Edison Township?
§§ 9-26.1 through 9-26.5. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
§§ 9-26.1 through 9-26.5 — read the official code
“No person shall keep or maintain any live poultry, as defined in subsection 9-25.1, even for noncommercial purposes, without first obtaining permission from the Zoning Officer, the Health Officer and a license for that purpose from the Division of Licenses covering the premises to be so used. No coop or run shall be located within fifty (50) feet of any unit or place where people congregate, or within two hundred (200) feet of any food or eating establishment or within ten (10) feet of any property line.” 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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