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

Jackson Township's livestock rules sit in Chapter 98, Animals, Article VIII, rather than in the zoning chapter, and they apply in any zone where the keeping of horses or other livestock is already allowed. Township Code § 98-48A sets a minimum lot size of 45,000 square feet, about an acre, before horses, ponies or similar livestock can be kept at all. Subsection B requires a barn or three-sided lean-to with a roof inside the pasture, sized to at least 80 square feet per horse, pony or animal unit, on top of any other required footage.

Subsection C sets location standards for those stables and lean-tos: at least 20 feet from any adjacent property line and 75 feet from any neighboring dwelling, while pasture or field fencing can run up to the property line but must stay at least 50 feet from a neighboring dwelling. Subsection D requires fencing built and maintained to prevent livestock from escaping, and Subsection F requires stables to avoid offensive odors or fly breeding, with fly retardants in place from March 1 through October 31. Subsection G caps manure stockpiles at 100 square feet and requires them to sit at least 100 feet from the nearest neighboring dwelling.

Section 244-148 of the Township's zoning chapter separately treats animals generally as a permitted residential use subject to Board of Health standards, provided they are not kept for commercial purposes, but the livestock article located in Chapter 98 does not set a numeric flock-size or coop limit for backyard poultry specifically.