Can you keep chickens in Township of Riverside, NJ?
No. The zoning code expressly prohibits the keeping or maintaining of poultry, pigeons and livestock anywhere in the township.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- The ban sits in the zoning chapter's list of expressly prohibited uses, so it applies in every zone.
- The same section adds that all uses not expressly permitted in the chapter are prohibited.
- A search of the whole code for 'chicken' turns up only a solid waste definition, so there is no backyard chicken program.
- A use that legally existed before the chapter was adopted may continue as a nonconforming use.
Source: Township of Riverside Code (eCode360), § 255-40D(4), Prohibited uses (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Township of Riverside clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Burlington County towns
We build across Burlington County
Township of Riversidedoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout BurlingtonCounty 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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