NJ chicken rules · Morris County
Can you keep chickens in Montville Township, NJ?
Yes. Montville allows up to 8 domestic fowl on any lot as a permitted accessory use. Roosters are prohibited except on lots of 5 acres or more, and the shelter must sit at least 10 feet from any property line.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
| Hens | Up to 8 fowl (more on farms) |
| Roosters | Prohibited (except on 5+ acre lots) |
| Permit | Not required (permitted outright) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft from any property line |
| Lot size | No minimum for 8 fowl |
Good to know
- Sanitation required, with no unreasonable noise or odor.
- Manure storage kept at least 100 ft from wetlands and wells.
- Adopted 2021, amended 2024.
Source: Montville Township Zoning Code (eCode360), Ch. 230, § 230-161.2 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Montville Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Montville 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.