Aberdeen Township City Zoning Code
§ 25-5.28
Keeping of Chickens on Residential Lots Less Than Five Acres.
[Added 6-2-2022 by Ord. No. 12-2022]
Chickens may be kept and maintained on single-family residential lots as an accessory use on lots less than five acres, provided a zoning permit is first obtained from the Zoning Officer, and subject to the following requirements:
a.
The number of chickens kept shall be determined by lot size, subject to the chart below, but in no case more than 12 chickens:
Number of Female Chickens | Minimum Lot size (square feet) |
|---|---|
2 | 2,000 |
3 | 3,000 |
4 | 4,000 |
5 | 5,000 |
6 | 6,000 |
7 | 7,000 |
8 | 8,000 |
9 | 9,000 |
b.
No person shall keep a rooster or a male chicken on any residential lot of less than five acres.
c.
No person who rents the property where chickens are proposed to be kept or maintained may obtain a zoning permit without first receiving written permission from an owner of the property. Such written permission shall be provided to the Zoning Officer.
d.
On properties where the owner is keeping the chickens, the zoning permit shall terminate in the case of change in ownership. On properties that are rented, and the tenants are keeping the chickens, the zoning permit shall terminate on change of tenant.
e.
Applicants for a zoning permit for the keeping of chickens shall present as part of the zoning permit application proof of an education class on the keeping of poultry. The only classes acceptable shall be those attended in person. Online classes will not qualify.
f.
Having received a zoning permit, a permit license shall be obtained from the Township Zoning and/or Code Enforcement Officer annually at a fee of $25, regardless of the amount of chickens maintained. The Township Zoning and/or Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to determine the paperwork, filing deadlines and procedures governing this licensing.
g.
No person shall keep or maintain chickens for consumption or sale. Chickens may not be slaughtered on the property.
h.
Chickens shall be kept in a roofed shelter or coop, which shall provide a minimum of three square feet per adult bird and shall also include a fully enclosed fenced chicken run that provides a minimum of five square feet per adult bird. The run shall be attached to the coop such that chickens are at no time outside of both the coop and run. The shelter/coop shall be counted as part of the accessory structure percentage which shall, in total, not exceed 1% of the subject property.
i.
Chickens are not permitted to roam freely beyond the limits of the shelter/coop or chicken run.
j.
The chicken shelter shall be bird-, rat- and predatorproof, and designed to be visually compatible with the residential area.
k.
Chain-link, metal wire or mesh fence shall fully enclose the chicken run and be securely constructed with fence or netting overhead to keep the chickens separated from other animals. Chicken run fencing shall not exceed a height of six feet.
l.
A chicken shelter/coop and chicken run are only permitted in the rear yard and shall comply with the accessory structure setbacks for the zone, but in no case be less than seven feet from the adjoining property line.
m.
In no case shall a chicken shelter/coop or chicken run be located closer than 30 feet to any dwelling on an adjoining lot.
n.
The chicken shelter/coop shall comply with applicable impervious and building coverage standards for the zone.
o.
The fenced chicken run shall be well drained so that there is no accumulation of moisture. The floors and walls of the chicken shelter or coop shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, with all droppings collected at least weekly. Droppings shall be kept in a covered and secured metal container until disposed of or transported off-premises.
p.
All chicken feed shall be kept in a covered and secured metal container off of the ground and inside the coop. All feedings shall occur inside of the coop and not in the chicken run.
q.
Permits shall be obtained for the chicken shelter/coop: construction, electric, and plumbing, as applicable. Electric lines shall be installed underground. Electrical connections to a coop must be done by permit and be permanent in nature.
r.
If, for any reason, an applicant no longer keeps and raises chickens, they shall be removed from the property in a humane manner.
s.
It is intended that penalties for violations of provisions in this code section are as specified in Subsections 25-10.5, Violations, and 25-10.6, Penalties, or as amended. Any violation of these standards may be grounds for the revocation of the zoning permit permitting the keeping and maintenance of chickens.
t.
The Zoning Officer and/or Code Enforcement Officer shall have the right to periodically inspect the premises to ascertain compliance with these regulations.
u.
Chickens shall be kept and maintained at all times in a humane manner and in accordance with good agricultural practices. The Animal Control Officer/Cruelty Investigators shall have all powers under N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16c to ensure the chickens are maintained in a humane way and under humane conditions. Any failure to comply with the Animal Control Officer/Cruelty Officer shall be grounds for revocation of the zoning permit permitting the keeping and maintenance of chickens.
v.
The Monmouth County Board of Health, and/or any similar body the Township contracts with for public health services, shall have the power to investigate any claims under their jurisdiction related to the keeping and maintenance of chickens. Any failure to comply with such body shall be grounds for revocation of the zoning permit permitting the keeping and maintenance of chickens.
w.
If the zoning permit permitting the keeping and maintenance of chickens is revoked, the chicken shelter/coop and chicken run shall be removed from the premises within 30 days of revocation of the permit.