More and more people are drawn to the idea of having chickens in their backyard: fresh eggs, a little food sustainability, composting benefits, and of course, the charm. But before you rush out to buy hens, you should know: local rules matter. Zoning, ordinances, setbacks (“how far from your house/property line/coops”), licensing, and health regulations can make or break whether it’s legal or practical where you live.

Here’s what the situation looks like in parts of South Jersey — specifically Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties — followed by good practices and tips for doing it cleanly and sustainably.

What Are the Rules?

I researched a number of municipalities. The rules vary a lot — depending on the city/town, lot size, home type, and whether there was a pilot program or a permanent ordinance. Here’s a breakdown:

What You’ll Commonly Be Required to Do / Best Practices

Given those rules, here are typical requirements or recommendations most towns enforce (or soon will), and practices that make living with chickens clean, sustainable, neighbor-friendly:

• Licensing & educational class: Many towns require a license from the municipal clerk or health officer, and often require attending a class so you know about coop design, sanitation, etc.

• Limits on number of hens: Because space, smell, and animals’ welfare matter, there are caps (often between 4-8 chickens, depending on lot size). Roosters are typically not allowed because of noise.

• Coops & runs:

  • Must be in the rear yard, not front or side (in many places).

  • Size limits for coop+run (area and height).

  • Setbacks: certain distance (often 5-20 feet) from property lines, and more distance from neighboring homes/dwellings for windows/doors.

  • Predator proofing (secure fencing, protection from raccoons, foxes, rats, etc.).

  • Waterproof, ventilated; sometimes requirements for sunlight, dry flooring, etc.

• Feed & water and storage:

  • Food must be stored in sealed containers at night to avoid pests.

  • Clean water always available.

  • Remove uneaten food to prevent rodents.

• Waste / odor / cleaning:

  • Regular cleanup of coop and run.

  • Removal of chicken manure; composting is often encouraged (if done properly) rather than tossing into general trash.

  • Good ventilation, drainage so that run doesn’t stay muddy, stinky, or attract flies.

• No free‐ranging / roaming outside enclosure unless allowed under strict conditions, like supervised time and fenced yard. Many ordinances require chickens to remain within their coop or enclosed run. If allowing roaming, often only during daylight and only in backyard with containment.

• Prohibitions: no slaughter on site, no selling eggs in many places, no roosters, or limits on “male poultry”. Also, bans on disturbing neighbors (noise, smell).

• Enforcement and renewal: Inspections (sometimes required annually), penalties for violations, license renewal etc.

How to Do It Clean?

If someone wants to keep chickens responsibly (and avoid complaints or ordinance trouble), here are tips:

1. Plan your space well
   You’ll need a coop + run sized appropriately. A general guideline is at least 3-4 square feet of indoor coop space per chicken, and 8-10 square feet in a run. Size up if you want them to be more comfortable.

2. Choose coop materials wisely

   • Raised floor to avoid dampness

   • Easy to clean surfaces (wire mesh, washable materials)

   • Proper ventilation but draft protection

   • Predator‐proofing: secure locks, buried wire to prevent digging, strong roof

3. Setbacks & orientation matter

   • Place coop downwind of neighbors if possible

   • Orient windows or doors in ways that natural sunlight enters but doesn’t blast odors to neighbor walls

   • Plant shrubs or use fencing or visual buffers to reduce visibility & noise

4. Manure & waste management

   • Compost bedding & manure properly, turning often to avoid smell

   • Use droppings boards under roosts to catch concentrated manure

   • Keep bedding dry — straw, wood shavings, etc.; change it regularly

5. Predator & pest control

   • Close coop at night, secure run

   • Use hardware cloth for openings, raised coops to avoid ground predators

   • Seal food and water containers

6. Health & welfare

   • Clean water every day

   • Feed quality food; supplement with grit if needed

   • Check chickens often for illness; have a plan for veterinary or extension service help

7. Neighbor relations

   • Let neighbors know your plan; show them coop design & your schedule

   • Keep things quiet — no roosters, etc.

   • Keep coop well-maintained to avoid odors or flies

8. Sustainability

   • Use chicken waste & bedding in compost to fertilize gardens

   • Recycle materials where possible (e.g., pallets, reclaimed wood for coop)

   • Approximate energy/water usage — small flocks use little, but plan so that you’re not using unsustainable feed or generating problematic runoff

How to Start — Step by Step

Here’s a plan someone could follow to begin:

1. Check your local ordinances
   Find your city or township code online; call or email the municipal clerk, zoning office, or health department. Ask:

   • Are chickens allowed (and if so, hens/roosters)?

   • How many can you have?

   • Coop/run setbacks & size limits

   • Licensing or permit requirements & fees

2. Decide scale
   How many hens do you really want or need? Usually, a small flock (4-8 hens) is enough for fresh eggs for a family. Bigger flocks bring more work & stricter rules.

3. Design or buy a coop and run
   Make sure it meets local requirements. Predator proof. Easy to clean. Good ventilation. Plan for egg collection. Plan for run access.

4. Prepare site
   Pick a spot in your yard that meets setbacks, gets some sun, and has drainage. Level ground. Provide shade & protection from wind.

5. Acquire chickens
   Buy from a reputable hatchery or local breeder. Start with healthy pullets (young hens before they start laying) if possible.

6. Register / license
   Submit any required paperwork, pay fees, and take classes if required. Cooperate with the initial inspection.

7. Daily care plan
   Clean water, feeding schedule, cleaning coop, checking for health issues. Build a compost system. Harvest eggs safely & cleanly.

8. Monitor & adjust
   After the first few months, check for issues: smell, pests, noise. Adjust bedding, cleaning frequency, coop orientation, etc. Stay compliant with renewal, inspections, etc.

Bottom Line

If you live in Burlington, Camden, or Gloucester County (or somewhere nearby in South Jersey), chances are you can keep hens — with rules. What will make it work (legally and practically) is doing your homework, doing it cleanly, being neighborly, and following the local regulations.