Can you keep chickens in Borough of Rutherford, NJ?
No. Rutherford's sanitary code bans keeping poultry or fowl of any kind. The only exceptions are pets kept indoors and school lab animals.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available |
| Coop setback | Not applicable |
| Lot size | Not applicable |
| Ducks | Not allowed (same rule as chickens) |
Good to know
- § 89-21 bans poultry and fowl of any kind, along with swine, sheep, cattle, pigeons and rabbits.
- Exceptions in § 89-22 cover poultry kept indoors as household pets and animals kept by a school under lab control. Neither allows a backyard flock.
- Live-poultry dealers need a special Board of Health permit (§ 89-24).
- No pending new law mentions poultry (checked 2026-09).
What about ducks?
No. Rutherford's sanitary code bans poultry or fowl of any kind, which covers ducks; the only exceptions are pets kept indoors and school lab animals.
§§ 89-21, 89-22: "No person or persons, association of persons or corporation shall keep or maintain swine, sheep, cattle, poultry or fowl of any kind" Duck coops we build.
We build across Bergen County
Borough of Rutherford doesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout Bergen County and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
Chicken rules in nearby Bergen County towns
Compare them side by side in the Bergen County table.
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.