Can you keep chickens in Borough of Mountainside, NJ?
No. Mountainside's zoning code lists the accessory uses allowed in its residential zones and says nothing in that list permits farm animals or fowl of any kind.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not applicable |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- The fowl exclusion appears in the R-1 (Section 1008) and R-2 (Section 1009) accessory-use rules; R-3 (Section 1010) adopts the R-2 list and prohibits any use not listed.
- Riding horses are the one animal exception, kept at least 50 feet from any property line.
- Chapter V, Animal Control, covers only dogs, cats and wildlife feeding and does not mention chickens.
- The code is hosted on municipalcodeonline.com (CivicPlus), not eCode360.
Source: Borough of Mountainside Code (municipalcodeonline.com), Chapter XXII Land Use, Sections 1008 and 1009 (R-1 and R-2 accessory uses) (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Mountainside clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Union County towns
We build across Union County
Borough of Mountainsidedoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout UnionCounty and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
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