Home » Lawrence Ordinance Allowing Residents to Raise Chickens Introduced

Lawrence Ordinance Allowing Residents to Raise Chickens Introduced

by Angela Jacobs

The Lawrence Township Land Use Ordinance has been amended, allowing residents to raise chickens on their property. Below summarizes the amendment’s content:– Breeding of chickens on the property is forbidden, as is their slaughter. All chickens must be hens. In the event of unsexed hatchlings or male fertilized eggs, such chickens must be removed before they turn 3 months of age or when they first begin crowing, whichever occurs first. Failure to remove such chickens from the property is grounds for revocation of the zoning permit and removal of all chickens.

– For residents leasing property, the lessee must obtain written permission to use the property for home agriculture purposes, by the lessor.

– Chickens must be confined to backyards.

– Lot drainage swales and septic field must not be affected.

– The Zoning Officer has the right to periodically enter the property to determine regulation compliance.

– The number of chickens kept on the property is limited by the size of the residential lot:

screen-shot-2016-11-02-at-10-57-17-am

– All chickens must be housed and maintained in a humane manner and in accordance with good agriculture practice. The premises must be kept in a clean and sanitary manner at all times. Location where chickens are kept must be free of vermin and rodents. The Animal Control Officer and Health Officer has the right to enter the property to determine regulation compliance.

– The chicken coop must: 1) be a minimum of 6 sq ft x 2 sq ft per chicken, 2) be fully enclosed, 3) not exceed the floor area size limitation for tool sheds in § 428.0, 4) be kept in good repair, have waterproof roofs and walls, be adequately lighted by natural or artificial means, and be ventilated, and 5) be greater than 10 feet from any property line or habitable structure on the same lot or 30 feet from a habitable structure on an adjacent lot.

– A fenced chicken run of up to 6 feet in height that is greater than 10 feet from any property line or habitable structure on the same lot or 30 feet from a habitable structure on an adjacent lot, is permitted.

Next steps? The Planning Board must review the amended ordinance and vote on its passage.

News idea for Lawrence Township and Lawrenceville? Email Angela Jacobs ([email protected]).

About Us

MercerMe is the only hyperlocal, independent, online news outlet serving Hopewell Valley in Mercer County, New Jersey.

Contact us: [email protected]

Search Our Archives