Monroe Township (Gloucester County), NJ Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

The poultry rule is in § 175-90(E)(2): no poultry may be raised or kept in any non-Pinelands residential zone or use, and within any Pinelands residential zone a minimum of two acres is required to raise or keep poultry. The Township Council last amended that paragraph on 5-22-2012 by Ord. No. O:16-2012.

One point sits outside the zoning text. The fee schedule in § 74-11, Backyard chickens (Chapter 280), lists a license fee of $10, added by Ord. No. O:04-2020 and amended by Ord. No. O:06-2021. Chapter 280 holds the licensing terms and is not part of the zoning provision quoted here, so anyone planning a backyard flock needs Chapter 280 in hand before buying birds.

For buildings, E(1) says no building used to raise or keep livestock or poultry, or used as a stable, can be located closer than 50 feet from any lot line or 100 feet from any street line. E(5) requires all livestock to be controlled through fencing and tethering so that it cannot run at large.

E(6) ties animal numbers to lot size. One horse, item of livestock or other nondomesticated large animal is permitted per the first two acres. An additional acre is required for a second animal, and thereafter an additional 1/2 acre is required for each additional animal.

Swine are handled differently: E(3) provides that the Township Board of Health governs the raising of swine. Seasonal agricultural employee housing under E(4) is allowed only as an element of and accessory to an active agricultural operation, with a building setback of 100 feet from any street and 50 feet from any property line.