NJ chicken rules · Sussex County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Stanhope, NJ?
Stanhope allows chickens and other fowl only on lots of at least 5 acres, with the enclosure set back 200 feet from every street and property line. On ordinary residential lots, only household pets are permitted.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No numeric limit, but only on 5+ acres |
| Roosters | Not specified separately (chickens or other fowl treated together) |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Enclosure at least 200 ft from any street line and 200 ft from any property line |
| Lot size | Minimum 5 acres (keeping fowl is prohibited on lots under 5 acres) |
Good to know
- The zoning definition of Agriculture (§ 100-3A) names "chickens or other fowl" and prohibits keeping them on lots under 5 acres.
- The animals chapter defines "animal" as cat or dog only, so fowl is controlled through zoning.
- This is an agriculture/zoning permission, not a backyard-hen ordinance.
Source: Borough of Stanhope Code, Ch. 100 Land Development (eCode360), § 100-3A — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Stanhope clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Stanhope?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across SussexCounty 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.