August 20 2026
Middletown Township residents in certain residential zoning districts can now keep backyard chickens on their property following the approval of a zoning ordinance amendment by the Board of Supervisors.
The new regulations allow chickens for personal use in the RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, R-1 and R-2 zoning districts, while establishing requirements intended to ensure chickens are kept safely, responsibly and with consideration for neighboring properties.
Thinking about adding chickens to your backyard? Here’s what you need to know before getting started.
Do I Need a Permit?
Yes. Residents must obtain a permit from Middletown Township before keeping chickens on a residential property.
The Township has established a $150 permit fee, along with a $50 annual registration fee.
How Many Chickens Can I Have?
Properties must be at least 5,000 square feet to keep chickens.
A property may have up to four chickens on the first 5,000 square feet of lot area. One additional chicken is permitted for every additional 5,000 square feet of lot area.
Roosters are not permitted.
Where Can I Keep Chickens?
Chickens must be confined to a chicken coop or chicken run at all times.
Residents are permitted one chicken coop and one chicken run per property, and they must:
· Be located in a rear or side yard
· Be at least 15 feet from all property lines
· Be no more than 8 feet in height
· Not exceed 50 square feet
· Provide at least 4 square feet of space per chicken
Chickens may not be allowed to roam onto neighboring properties, streets, sidewalks, parks or other public or private property.
Chickens Are for Personal Use Only
The ordinance allows backyard chickens for personal, non-commercial use.
Chickens, chicks, eggs and manure may not be displayed, sold, offered for sale, bartered or given away from the property.
Keeping Your Coop Clean
Chicken owners are responsible for keeping their chickens, coops and runs clean and sanitary and preventing conditions that could create a nuisance for surrounding properties.
This includes controlling odors, waste, excessive noise, insects, rodents and other pests. Feed, water and other supplies associated with keeping chickens must also be properly stored in rodent-proof and waterproof containers.
Chicken waste must be properly disposed of or composted. Chicken manure may be composted on the property and, once composted, applied to gardens or yards.
Ready to Get Started?
Residents may begin submitting applications to keep backyard chickens on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Before applying, residents should confirm that their property is located within an eligible zoning district and review all Township requirements.
The application will be available to view and submit beginning August 24.
Questions about your property’s eligibility or the application process? Contact the Middletown Township Building & Zoning Department for assistance.
We’re excited to provide residents with this new opportunity while establishing standards that help ensure backyard chickens are kept safely and responsibly throughout Middletown Township.
Click here to read the full ordinance.
Click here to view the Keeping of Chickens Application.