NJ chicken rules · Sussex County
Can you keep chickens in Hopatcong, NJ?
Yes. Hopatcong allows hens at a rate of 4 per 10,000 sq ft of lot, up to a maximum of 12. Roosters are prohibited, birds must be fenced or penned in the backyard, and the coop must sit more than 200 feet from the Lake Hopatcong high-water mark.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | 4 per 10,000 sq ft (max 12) |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not required |
| Coop setback | Standard accessory-structure setbacks; coop 200+ ft from the Lake Hopatcong high-water mark |
| Lot size | No minimum (count scales by lot size) |
Good to know
- Birds must be kept in the backyard, fenced or penned, clean and sanitary.
- The lot-size limit doesn't apply to land zoned or approved for agriculture.
- Grandfather clause: flocks owned as of March 1, 2024 in now-excess numbers may live out their lives but not be replaced.
Source: Borough of Hopatcong Code (eCode360), Ch. 66, § 66-10D — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Hopatcong clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Hopatcong?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across SussexCounty and all of New Jersey, sized to your flock and built to your town's rules.
New to this? Start with how to raise chickens in NJ, or what a coop costs.
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.