NJ chicken rules · Essex County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Montclair, NJ?
Yes. Montclair allows up to 25 hens with an annual Health Department license and a rear-yard coop set 50 feet from a neighbor's windows and 6 feet off any property line. Roosters are banned.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 25 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required ($25/year Health Department license) |
| Coop setback | 50 ft from a neighbor's doors or windows; 6 ft from property lines; 25 ft from wetlands |
| Lot size | No minimum (plan 1.5 sq ft of coop and 8 sq ft of run per bird) |
Good to know
- The coop must sit in the rear yard, be winterized and elevated, and stand no more than 7 feet tall.
- Manure must be composted or kept in covered containers.
- A 2026 proposal to lower the limit to 6 hens was tabled; the current limit is still 25.
Source: Township of Montclair Code, Ch. 82, Art. IV (eCode360), § 82-25, 82-26, 82-29.3 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Montclair clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Montclair?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across EssexCounty 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.