NJ chicken rules · Bergen County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Oakland, NJ?
Oakland bans backyard poultry everywhere except on residential lots of at least one acre, and only for the household's own personal, non-commercial use.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No stated limit (personal use only) |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified (the 1-acre and personal-use conditions govern) |
| Coop setback | Standard accessory-structure zoning setbacks |
| Lot size | Minimum 1 acre |
Good to know
- Keeping poultry is prohibited borough-wide except on a residential lot of at least one acre for personal use.
- Commercial poultry operations are prohibited.
- The 3-per-acre cap in the same section applies to cattle, not poultry.
Source: Borough of Oakland Code, Ch. 59, Art. VII (eCode360), § 59-59A — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Oakland clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Oakland?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across BergenCounty 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.