NJ chicken rules · Sussex County
Can you keep chickens in Wantage Township, NJ?
In Wantage, keeping poultry is treated as agriculture — a permitted use only in the RE-5 district and only on a lot of at least 5 acres. There's no per-hen limit, but on a typical residential lot under 5 acres it isn't an as-of-right use.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No numeric limit ("poultry, no ratio") |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Must be in connection with agriculture; general zoning applies |
| Coop setback | Not specified (general farm/accessory-building setbacks apply) |
| Lot size | 5-acre minimum (agriculture / farm) |
Good to know
- "Agriculture" here includes animal husbandry, whether for profit, private, or personal use.
- Commercial piggeries and animal-processing facilities are prohibited.
- On smaller residential lots poultry is not a listed permitted use — confirm with the township before building.
Source: Wantage Township Zoning Code (eCode360), Ch. 13 Zoning, § 13-5.1(b) (RE-5 District) — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Wantage Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Wantage Township?
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.