Wayne, NJ Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Wayne Township Code § 134-29.1 allows agriculture in every zone, then lists what is carved out. Any form of agriculture or horticulture is allowed except the items below.

Hogs: only as part of a general farming operation on 50 acres or more, with no more than 12 hogs excluding litters until the litters reach three months. Hogs and their yard or building stay 500 feet from any property line and 200 feet from any dwelling on the same property.

Chickens and other fowl: two acres or more. Up to 25 birds must be kept in a building or yard no closer than 20 feet to a dwelling on the same plot, 50 feet from either side or rear property line and 200 feet from the front yard property line. Beyond 25 birds, the building cannot exceed two stories, and neither building nor yard can be closer than 50 feet to a dwelling on the same plot or within 200 feet of any property line. Homing pigeons are declared not to be fowl.

Other farm livestock: two acres or more, in a building no closer than 20 feet to a dwelling on the same plot and not within 200 feet of any property line. Commercial greenhouses: two acres or more, placed 200 feet from any property line.

Added in 2004 by Ord. No. 67-2004, the section also excludes storage of landscaping or earthmoving equipment, contractor's or landscaper's yards, storage of mulch, fertilizer, topsoil or feed beyond what the farm itself needs, and retail or wholesale sales of anything other than plants or animals raised or grown on the premises. Farm products can be sold where produced, from stands that conform to the Building Code Ordinance and sit no closer than 75 feet to the center line of a street or 50 feet to a street line, whichever is greater. Extended day camp use is not allowed. Coops are also capped in § 134-62.1: fowl coops at 100 square feet, and pigeon coops at 800 square feet and only on lots of ½ acre or more.