Hackettstown Council Plans To Limit Residential Livestock

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — Hens will be the only type of livestock animal allowed on properties under two acres, if the Hackettstown Town Council amends an ordinance already on the books, during Thursday night’s meeting.

Should the council adopt an ordinance amendment at its meeting, livestock and non-domesticated animals won’t be allowed on tracts of less than two acres in size.

The council has noted it will make an exception for chickens though, allowing people to keep hens on smaller plots, but not roosters.

There are specific rules for hens however, with a limit of four per one-half acre and no more than eight on lots greater than a half-acre, with the hens kept in an enclosed area.

“The Town of Hackettstown has many residential neighborhoods possessing lots of relatively small size,” the ordinance reads. “The Town Council wishes to prohibit the keeping of such livestock and non-domesticated animals within the town’s borders on lots of less than two acres in size.”

People in violation of the ordinance after it is adopted, could face fines up to $25 daily and civil legal actions.

The public hearing for the ordinance amendment and its adoption are planned for Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building on 215 Stiger Street.

Click here to read the full ordinance.

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