Can you keep chickens in Borough of Edgewater, NJ?
No. Edgewater's Board of Health code makes it unlawful to keep any live fowl anywhere in the borough, so backyard chickens are out.
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 ban covers live fowl along with pigs, cows, horses, sheep, goats and cattle.
- Only people who already kept such animals on or before February 14, 1983 are exempt, and that exemption cannot be transferred or increased.
- Exempt keepers must hold the animals in an enclosure open to inspection by police or the Board of Health.
- The Board of Health, the Housing Officer and others designated by the Mayor and Council enforce it.
Source: Borough of Edgewater Code, Board of Health (eCode360), Ch. 454, Art. I, § 454-1, Permit required to keep certain animals (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Edgewater clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Bergen County towns
BergenfieldBogotaCliffside ParkClosterCresskillDumontEast RutherfordElmwood ParkEmersonEnglewoodFair LawnFairviewFort LeeFranklin LakesGarfieldGlen RockHackensackHasbrouck HeightsHillsdaleLeoniaLittle FerryLodiLyndhurstMahwahMaywoodMontvaleNew MilfordNorth ArlingtonOaklandOradellPalisades ParkParamusPark RidgeRamseyRidgefieldRidgefield ParkRidgewoodRiver EdgeRiver ValeRutherfordSaddle BrookSaddle RiverTeaneckTenaflyUpper Saddle RiverWaldwickWallingtonWashingtonWestwoodWood-RidgeWoodcliff LakeWyckoff
We build across Bergen County
Borough of Edgewaterdoesn'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.
Ready to keep your flock safe?
Tell us about your animals and your land. We'll design a coop built to last, on-site, just for you.