NJ chicken rules · Morris County
Can you keep chickens in Rockaway Township, NJ?
Yes. Rockaway scales hens by lot: up to 4 under an acre, 10 on 1 to 3 acres, and 24 on more than 3 acres. Roosters are prohibited, a zoning permit is required, and the coop goes in a side or rear yard at least 20 feet from any property line.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | 4 (<1 acre), 10 (1–3 acres), 24 (>3 acres) |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Zoning permit required |
| Coop setback | Side or rear yard; 10 ft from your dwelling, 20 ft from any property line |
| Lot size | No minimum; density scales with acreage |
Good to know
- Shelter at least 2 sq ft per chicken; run 12 sq ft per chicken; fencing 4–6 ft.
- Predator-proof; no slaughtering, no retail sales, no running at large.
- Adopted September 2024.
Source: Rockaway Township Ordinance O-24-14, § 54-30.8B(7) — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Rockaway Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Rockaway 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.