Clifton, NJ Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 203-44, part of Article VIII added in 1998, requires a license from the Clifton Health Department before anyone keeps swine, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens or other fowl, and separately makes it unlawful to keep a crowing rooster, screaming fowl or chattering fowl anywhere in the City regardless of licensing. Section 203-45 requires an application describing the animals and the confinement area, and Section 203-46 sets the annual fee at $125 plus a $25 non-refundable plan-review fee, running from July 1 to June 30, with a $65 reinspection fee if a follow-up inspection is needed and a summons if that fee goes unpaid within 10 business days.

Section 203-47 treats several failures as a public-health nuisance: except for existing license holders, no property may keep more than five fowl; coops must sit at least 25 feet from the adjacent property line, and swine, sheep and goats must be kept at least 50 feet away; waste cannot accumulate more than 12 hours, and monthly pest control is required. Commercial farms of five or more acres producing at least $2,500 in annual agricultural products are exempt from the article's confinement rules. Section 203-48 bans slaughtering, killing or butchering any swine, sheep, goat, rabbit, duck, goose, pigeon or other fowl anywhere in Clifton, with no exception for personal use.