Can you keep chickens in Borough of East Rutherford, NJ?
No. East Rutherford's zoning code prohibits keeping poultry and other nondomestic fowl in every zoning district.
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
- The prohibition sits in the zoning chapter's list of uses prohibited in all districts.
- Poultry and pigeons are named alongside swine, sheep and cattle.
- The only exception is indoor household pets such as certain birds, cats, dogs, rabbits or guinea pigs.
- Searches of the whole code for chicken, fowl and poultry turn up no permit or exception for backyard hens.
Source: Borough of East Rutherford Code (eCode360), § 389-20, Uses prohibited in all districts (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of East Rutherford clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Bergen County towns
AllendaleBergenfieldBogotaCarlstadtCliffside ParkClosterCresskillDemarestDumontEdgewaterElmwood 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 East Rutherforddoesn'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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Tell us about your animals and your land. We'll design a coop built to last, on-site, just for you.