NJ chicken rules · Morris County
Can you keep chickens in Jefferson Township, NJ?
Yes. Jefferson allows up to 5 hens on lots of an acre or less and up to 10 on lots of 2 acres or more. Roosters are prohibited (except on farmland-assessed property), and the coop must sit in the rear yard, at least 50 feet from any dwelling.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
| Hens | 5 (≤1 acre) up to 10 (2+ acres) |
| Roosters | Prohibited (except farmland-assessed property) |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Rear yard only; 25 ft from a fenced line, 50 ft from an unfenced line, 50 ft from any dwelling |
| Lot size | No minimum; hen count scales with acreage |
Good to know
- One shelter per lot; shelter maxes at 100 sq ft, shelter plus run at 150 sq ft, height at 6 ft.
- Hens only; kept clean and free of odor and pests.
- Slaughtering chickens in public view is prohibited.
- Adopted November 2020.
Source: Jefferson Township Code (eCode360), Ch. 146, § 146-37 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Jefferson Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Jefferson Township?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across MorrisCounty 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.