Can you keep chickens in Borough of Allendale, NJ?
No. The Board of Health ordinance makes it unlawful to keep chickens anywhere in the borough, and only residents who already had chickens when the 1999 ordinance took effect may keep them.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- Chickens are listed alongside cattle, bees, goats, guinea hens, hogs, horses, pigs, pigeons, sheep and swine as prohibited animals.
- Anyone keeping such animals on the effective date may continue, but may not add to or replace them, and had to register with the Animal Control Officer within 60 days.
- Violations carry a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail, with each day a separate offense.
- The AAA Residence zoning section still lists fowl for personal use on lots of at least 2 acres, kept 50 feet from any dwelling, which conflicts with the later borough-wide health ban.
Source: Borough of Allendale Code (eCode360), § 93-22, Prohibited animals (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Allendale clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Bergen County towns
BergenfieldBogotaCarlstadtCliffside ParkClosterCresskillDemarestDumontEast RutherfordEdgewaterElmwood ParkEmersonEnglewoodEnglewood CliffsFair LawnFairviewFort LeeFranklin LakesGarfieldGlen RockHackensackHasbrouck HeightsHillsdaleLeoniaLittle FerryLodiLyndhurstMahwahMaywoodMidland ParkMontvaleNew MilfordNorth ArlingtonNorwoodOaklandOld TappanOradellPalisades ParkParamusPark RidgeRamseyRidgefieldRidgefield ParkRidgewoodRiver EdgeRiver ValeRochelle ParkRutherfordSaddle BrookSaddle RiverTeaneckTenaflyUpper Saddle RiverWaldwickWallingtonWashingtonWestwoodWood-RidgeWoodcliff LakeWyckoff
We build across Bergen County
Borough of Allendaledoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout BergenCounty and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
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