NJ chicken rules · Bergen County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Ramsey, NJ?
Ramsey permits backyard fowl only in its R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zones (meeting the R-1 minimum lot size), with a $30 Board of Health license. Flock size is capped by coop space rather than a set number, and roosters are prohibited.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Density-based (1 bird per 3 sq ft of coop floor) |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required ($30 Board of Health license) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft from property lines; 30 ft from dwellings; 200 ft from food establishments |
| Lot size | R-1, R-2, or R-3 zones; at least the R-1 minimum lot size |
Good to know
- Poultry is allowed only in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones (§ BH:5-3.1a).
- Coops need concrete floors, roosts and drop boards, and weekly droppings removal.
- Fowl may not run or fly at large, and roosters are prohibited.
Source: Borough of Ramsey Board of Health Code, Ch. BH:5 (eCode360), § BH:5-3.1, BH:5-3.2 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Ramsey clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Ramsey?
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.