Backyard Chicken Public Hearing Set For March 9 In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Council has introduced an ordinance regulating the keeping and maintaining of backyard chickens in the municipality.

The ordinance was unanimously introduced during the Feb. 24 meeting and will be open to public comment on Monday before it is finalized.

Many residents at the meeting praised the council's efforts to allow chickens in Princeton to continue.

"I have been raising chickens for seven years. My children love them as pets, I love them for the eggs and my yard loves them for the fertilizer," said a Princeton resident.

Another resident pointed out the benefits of having chickens including reducing carbon emissions and bringing people together.

"I am happy that there is a clear ordinance for chickens," the resident said. "I give away free eggs so it is a great way of enhancing our community."

The ordinance took a few months to come together with the help of the Princeton Environmental Commission (PEC), Princeton Health Officer and Animal Control Officer.

It goes on to limit the number of chickens and other egg-laying poultry on residential properties by the size of the lot. Roosters are not allowed.

The ordinance also designates where coops are allowed to be located on the property and how they are maintained. The sale of eggs or chicken by-products is also not allowed.

"There were many rounds of negotiations to make sure this was something that preserved the health of the flocks and the health of the Princeton community at large," Councilwoman Eve Niedergang said. "This was the work of many, many hands and I am just so thrilled to have this come to fruition."

To see the entire proposed ordinance click here and go to page 239.

Princeton's upcoming council meeting and the public hearing for the chicken ordinance will be held on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room, Witherspoon Hall, 400 Witherspoon St., in Princeton.

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