[R.O. 1951, Ch. 6, § 1]
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE
Any disease of an infectious, contagious or pestilential nature with which any person may be sick, affected or attacked. The form refers especially to cholera, yellow fever, smallpox, varioloid, diphtheria, ship fever or typhus, typhoid and scarlet fever, plague, trichinosis, membranous croup, leprosy, syphilis and any other disease of an infectious, contagious or pestilential nature.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Department of Health of the Township.
STREET
Avenues, sidewalks, gutters, places and public alleys.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
The Township Manager shall appoint a person as Animal Control Officer of the Township. The Animal Control Officer shall impound dogs pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, maintain an animal shelter and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Township Council or the Township Manager.
[R.O. 1951, Ch. 6, § 3]
Every veterinary surgeon or practitioner who examines, treats or receives knowledge of any animal having glanders, farcy, hydrophobia, rabies or any other like contagious or dangerous disease shall, within 24 hours thereafter, present, in writing, to the Township Department of Health, or the officer or other person in charge of its office, the following statement of facts relating thereto:
(a) 
The location and description of the animal.
(b) 
The name, address and business occupation of the owner or custodian.
(c) 
The nature and character of the disease.
(d) 
All other particulars and information as may be peculiar or pertinent to the case.
[R.O. 1951, Ch. 6, § 4; amended by Ord. No. 3411, 12-20-1994, § 1; Ord. No. 11-2024, 6-18-2024]
(a) 
The keeping and maintenance of chickens and other egg-laying poultry on residential property that is farmland assessed pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.1, the "Farmland Assessment Act of 1964," is not subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(b) 
Except as otherwise permitted herein, no person shall keep or allow to be kept in any building or premises, or on any lot of ground of which he may be the owner, tenant, lessee, or occupier, any pigs, horses, mules, cows, pigeons, or poultry of any age or description.
(c) 
Notwithstanding the above, the keeping of not more than six chicken hens is permitted on single-family residential properties subject to the following conditions and limitations.
(1) 
Persons seeking to keep or maintain chicken hens shall be required to obtain a biennial permit from the Township's Health Department.
(2) 
The permit period shall be from January 1 of the calendar year in which the license is granted until December 31 of the calendar year following the one in which the license is granted. For example, if a permit is granted effective January 1, 2025, it shall be valid until December 31, 2026.
(3) 
The Health Officer or their designee shall maintain a copy of an application for said permit, which shall set forth:
a. 
The name, address, telephone number and email address of the owner and tenant, if applicable, of the premises for which the permit is sought;
b. 
The address of the premises for which the permit is sought;
c. 
The number of chicken hens proposed to be kept;
d. 
The dimensions and square footage of the chicken coop ("coop") and of the chicken enclosure proposed to be used to house the hens ("run");
e. 
Sketch(es) of the location of the coop and chicken enclosure relative to the structure of the property and any surrounding properties, indicating the distances from the property lines and the doors or window of any dwelling or occupied structure other than the owner's dwelling;
1. 
All coops and runs shall not be situated less than 25 feet from any dwelling or occupied structure other than the owner's dwelling. The twenty-five-foot requirement may not be waived, even with approval from the surrounding property owners. The location of all coops and runs must additionally comply with all applicable setback requirements under the Township Code;
f. 
Maintenance plan(s) describing cleaning schedule, pest and predator control measures, and nuisance prevention measures; and
g. 
Verification that the applicant has read and understands the requirements of this section and any subsequent regulations the Township Council may impose.
(4) 
The Health Officer or their designee shall act upon such application based upon the standards set forth in this section within 30 days of the date of application.
(5) 
Permit renewals shall not require the information stated above except upon a material change to the coop and run. Inspection by the issuing authority shall be necessary for a permit renewal, which shall be at the Health Officer's discretion.
(6) 
Applicants shall be required to pay any permit fee identified in Schedule III, "Fees and Charges," of Chapter 2 of the Township Code. Such fees shall not be prorated.
(7) 
Coops and runs shall meet the following specifications:
a. 
All chicken hens shall be confined in coops and runs conducive to the health and safety of both the chickens and the public. Such coops and runs shall be located outside of, and completely apart from, any building used wholly or in part for dwelling purposes.
b. 
Each coop or run shall provide a cumulative minimum of three square feet of usable floor space per chicken.
c. 
Coops shall be kept dry and well-ventilated, have an impermeable roof, and be enclosed on at least three sides.
d. 
A sufficient number of roosts shall be provided for each individual chicken kept.
e. 
Coops and runs shall have adequate flooring made of an impermeable material to catch all droppings excreted by each chicken while on the roosts.
f. 
Coops and runs shall have at least one nesting box for every three chickens kept. Each nesting box shall be of a minimum size of 12 inches by 12 inches.
(8) 
The coops and runs shall be constructed with adequate security so as to prevent the entry of predators and vermin.
(9) 
Coops and runs, and outdoor enclosures, shall comply with the following regulations:
a. 
The coops and runs shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and free or odors at all times.
b. 
All feed for chicken hens, when not in use, shall be stored in a metal container fitted with a cover. Feed shall be dispensed from a suitable feeding trough, or similar container, and not scattered about the premises, coop, or run.
c. 
All droppings, feculent matter and waste shall be removed. The removed waste shall be removed from the premises, or otherwise disposed of in a manner as shall be to prevent the inhalation of aerosolized fecal matter, odor, and the attraction of pests. If deemed necessary, the coop shall be cleaned more frequently and disinfected.
d. 
Drinking fountains in the run where the coops and runs are located shall be cleaned and supplied with clean water at all times.
e. 
Coops and runs shall be inspected by the issuing authority upon receipt of a complaint. The property owner shall grant access for the coops and runs to be inspected.
f. 
Coops and runs containing chicken hens shall comply with the requirements for accessory structures as set forth in § 33-249(a)(4)e of Article V, "Zoning," of Chapter 33, "Development Regulations," of the Teaneck Township Code, provided further that coops and runs shall be kept no less than 25 feet from the door or window of any dwelling or occupied habitable structure, other than the owner's dwelling.
(10) 
Chickens, hatching eggs, and day-old-chicks purchased from outside of New Jersey must meet import requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 2:3-71 et seq.
(11) 
All persons issued a permit hereunder shall report sick or unexplained bird deaths immediately to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health, at (609) 671-6400, state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov <mailto:state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov>, or by any other means.
(12) 
Prohibitions.
a. 
No person shall keep roosters.
b. 
No live chicken hen shall be permitted to fly or run at large outside the enclosed area, except in a fully enclosed yard under the supervision of a property resident aged 18 or older.
c. 
No poultry food shall be scattered about any premises.
d. 
Sale of chicken eggs from any chicken hen permitted by this chapter is prohibited. Use of chicken hens is strictly limited to an accessory use subordinate to the residence, and no commercial use of the chicken hens is permitted.
e. 
The slaughter of chickens or their willful abandonment is prohibited.
f. 
No person shall commit any act which constitutes cruelty to chickens as set forth in N.J.A.C. 2:8-4.1 et seq.
[R.O. 1951, Ch. 6, § 6; amended by Ord. No. 11-2024, 6-18-2024]
The permits referred to in §§ 6-5 and 6-6 of this article, if granted, shall be revocable by the Health Department upon reasonable notice and an opportunity for public hearing to the permittee in the event that the exercise of the permit granted shall result in demonstrable evidence that a public health hazard has arisen or that there is a repeated failure by the licensee to comply with any part of §§ 6-5 and 6-6.
[R.O. 1951, Ch. 6, § 7; amended by Ord. No. 11-2024, 6-18-2024]
(a) 
The permit referred to in § 6-5 of this article shall not be granted unless satisfactory evidence shall be presented to the Health Department, by information provided as required to be set for in the application indicated in § 6-5, that the granting of such permit will not be productive of unsanitary or offensive conditions in the neighborhood in which the permit is to be exercised.
(b) 
The permit referred to in § 6-6 of this article shall not be granted unless satisfactory evidence shall be presented to the Health Department, by an inspection of the premises or otherwise, that the granting of such permit will not be productive of unsanitary or offensive conditions in the neighborhood in which the permit is to be exercised.