NJ chicken rules · Passaic County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Hawthorne, NJ?
No. Hawthorne prohibits keeping live poultry borough-wide. Only people who already held a permit as of July 1, 2007 may continue, and no new keeping permits are issued.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted for new keepers |
| Roosters | Not permitted |
| Permit | Only a pre-2007 permit may be renewed; no new permits available |
| Coop setback | For grandfathered keeping, no structure or run within 75 ft of any building, church, school, or public building |
| Lot size | — |
Good to know
- "Live poultry" is defined to include fowl, chickens, turkeys, and pigeons; household-pet birds are excluded.
- Live poultry may not be kept in any occupied building or run at large.
- Violations carry fines up to $2,000 and up to 90 days; each day is a separate offense.
Source: Borough of Hawthorne Code, Ch. 136 Animals, Art. IV (eCode360), §§ 136-25, 136-28 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Hawthorne clerk or zoning office before you build.
We build across Passaic County
Borough of Hawthornedoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout PassaicCounty 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.