NJ chicken rules · Morris County
Can you keep chickens in Denville Township, NJ?
No. Denville prohibits keeping poultry on any property smaller than 5 acres, which rules out backyard hens on a standard residential lot. Only lots of 5 acres or more may keep chickens, ducks, geese, or turkeys.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not allowed under 5 acres |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Not specified (the '250 ft' figure online is not in the current code) |
| Lot size | Minimum 5 acres |
Good to know
- "Poultry" is defined broadly to include chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, and turkeys.
- The 5-acre rule was added in June 2016.
- This effectively bans backyard hens on typical residential lots.
Source: Denville Township Code (eCode360), Ch. 128, § 128-10, Keeping poultry restricted — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Denville Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
We build across Morris County
Denville Townshipdoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout MorrisCounty 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.