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 allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No numeric limit (each license lists the kind and number of birds) |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Board of Health license required if poultry are kept within 100 ft of a neighbor's dwelling, or for sale |
| Coop setback | At 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 size | No minimum (governed by the setback distances) |
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.
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 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?
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