Can you keep chickens in Borough of Stratford, NJ?
Yes, hens only, with a license. Stratford allows two hens per 1,000 square feet of lot up to 12 birds, on a $25 annual license that requires a class and a meeting with the Hen Advisory Commission. Roosters are prohibited.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | 2 hens per 1,000 sq ft of lot, max 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required: $25 annual license, expires March 1, plus a required class |
| Coop setback | 15 ft from the habitable portion of a neighboring dwelling; 5 ft side and rear yard buffer |
| Lot size | No minimum stated |
| Rule adopted | 2023 |
Good to know
- Single-family homes and townhomes are eligible; a tenant needs the landlord's written consent.
- The coop and attached run go in the rear yard, cap out at 120 square feet, and can be no taller than eight feet.
- A Hen Advisory Commission reviews each application, inspects the finished coop and handles complaints.
- Slaughtering hens in the borough is not allowed, and the coop needs at least three square feet per hen.
Source: Borough of Stratford Ordinance 23-4 (Borough of Stratford), Ordinance 23-4, Ch. 6.06, Hens, and § 6.04.111 (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Stratford clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Stratford?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across CamdenCounty and all of New Jersey, sized to your flock and built to your town's rules.
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.