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NJ chicken rules · Morris County

Can you keep chickens in Borough of Rockaway, NJ?

Rockaway Borough allows poultry, but the coop must be at least 60 feet from any dwelling, street, or public space, and if a neighbor's home is within 100 feet you need a Board of Health license plus the written consent of every occupant within 100 feet.

The rules at a glance

Chickens allowedYes, with conditions
HensNo numeric limit (each license lists the kind and number of birds)
RoostersNot specified
PermitBoard of Health license required if poultry are kept within 100 ft of a neighbor's dwelling, or for sale
Coop setbackAt least 60 ft from any dwelling, business, public building, street, stream, lake, or park; coop at least 25 ft from side and rear lot lines
Lot sizeNo minimum (governed by the setback distances)
DucksSame rules as chickens

Good to know

  • Fowl may not run at large; pens must be cleaned daily and kept dry and ventilated.
  • A license within 100 ft of neighbors needs the written consent of every principal occupant within 100 ft.
  • This is Rockaway Borough, distinct from Rockaway Township.

What about ducks?

Yes, with conditions. Rockaway Borough's rules cover poultry, birds or fowl of any kind, so ducks face the same 60-foot setback and, if a neighbor's home is within 100 feet, a Board of Health license and neighbor consent.

§§ 261-33 to 261-35: "No person, firm or corporation shall keep or maintain live poultry, birds or fowl of any kind (other than song birds)" Duck coops we build.

Source: Borough of Rockaway Code, Ch. 261 Health, Art. VIII (eCode360), §§ 261-33 to 261-35 (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Rockaway clerk or zoning office before you build.

Building a coop in Borough of Rockaway?

Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across Morris County and all of New Jersey, sized to your flock and built to your town's rules.

Get a free quoteSee our coops

In an HOA? The town allowing hens is not the same as your association allowing them. What an HOA can and cannot stop.

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.

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