Can you keep chickens in Borough of Atlantic Highlands, NJ?
No. The public health chapter declares keeping chickens or other fowl a nuisance, and the animal chapter allows farm animals only on five acres or more and only with a license.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available on a normal lot; farm animals need a Municipal Clerk license and five acres |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Min. 5 acres for farm animals |
Good to know
- The nuisance listing covers goats, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, pigeons or other fowl, and was last amended 10-1-1968.
- Farm animals are defined to include fowl and any other animals customarily kept on a farm (§ 97-12B).
- A license will not be granted where a neighboring occupant would be adversely affected by noise, odour or unsightliness (§ 97-19D).
- Council minutes from 2014 record a resident petition to treat chickens as pets that the Council did not adopt.
Source: Atlantic Highlands Borough Code (eCode360), § 235-2A(10), Nuisances defined and prohibited (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Atlantic Highlands clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Monmouth County towns
AberdeenAsbury ParkBelmarBradley BeachBrielleColts NeckEatontownFair HavenFreeholdHazletHighlandsHolmdelHowellKeansburgKeyportLittle SilverLong BranchManalapanManasquanMarlboroMatawanMiddletownMillstoneNeptuneOceanOceanportRed BankRumsonShrewsburySpring Lake HeightsTinton FallsUnion BeachUpper FreeholdWallWest Long Branch
We build across Monmouth County
Borough of Atlantic Highlandsdoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout MonmouthCounty 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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Tell us about your animals and your land. We'll design a coop built to last, on-site, just for you.