NJ chicken rules · Hudson County
Can you keep chickens in Town of Kearny, NJ?
Kearny permits up to 4 hens (no roosters) on single or two-family lots with a $50 annual health license, in a rear-yard coop set back 10 feet from lot lines and 30 feet from a neighbor's building.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required ($50/year Board of Health license) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft from property lines; 30 ft from an adjoining habitable building; rear yard only |
| Lot size | Single or two-family dwellings only (no minimum lot; coop capped at 60 sq ft) |
Good to know
- Chickens must be confined and not free-range; the coop is predator-proof and enclosed by a 6-foot fence.
- No selling eggs to the public and no slaughtering.
- Droppings removed at least weekly and stored in rodent-proof containers.
Source: Town of Kearny Municipal Code, § 9-14 (eCode360), § 9-14 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Town of Kearny clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Town of Kearny?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across HudsonCounty 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.