Can I keep chickens in Lakewood Township, NJ?
Yes, with conditions — Lakewood Township allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 16 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article IX, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 16 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Hutches must be at least 10 ft from all property lines; pens, coops, aviaries, similar enclosures, and free-range areas must be at least 20 ft from all property lines. Peacocks, roosters, turkeys, ostriches, emus, and similar birds are prohibited in all zones. |
| Code section | Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article IX |
Lakewood Township permits poultry as an accessory use to a dwelling unit in zones with agricultural or UDO accessory-use provisions, subject to setbacks and a cap of 16 poultry per acre. Standard residential zones are reported to prohibit chickens. Roosters, peacocks, turkeys, ostriches, and emus are prohibited township-wide.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lakewood Township?
Yes, with conditions — Lakewood Township allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article IX).
How many chickens can I keep in Lakewood Township?
Up to 16 hens. 16 poultry per acre in agricultural or accessory-use zones where permitted; standard residential zones prohibit chickens. Roosters and similar birds prohibited in all zones.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Are roosters allowed in Lakewood Township?
No — roosters are prohibited in Lakewood Township.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Lakewood Township?
20 feet minimum. Hutches must be at least 10 ft from all property lines; pens, coops, aviaries, similar enclosures, and free-range areas must be at least 20 ft from all property lines. Peacocks, roosters, turkeys, ostriches, emus, and similar birds are prohibited in all zones.
What law covers backyard chickens in Lakewood Township?
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article IX. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article IX — read the official code
“Poultry, pigeons, ducks, and similar birds, and rabbits and similar mammals, raised for domestic, noncommercial use shall be permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling unit on any lot ... a minimum setback of ten (10) feet from all property lines is required for all hutches and twenty (20) feet for all pens, coops, aviaries, similar enclosures, and free-range areas ... no more than sixteen (16) poultry, birds or rabbits and similar mammals shall be permitted per acre. Peacocks, roosters, turkeys, ostriches, emus, other similar birds are prohibited in all zoning districts. [From search snippet of UDO Article IX; page is JS-rendered]” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →