NJ chicken rules · Bergen County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Washington, NJ?
Washington Township (Bergen County) allows backyard hens only with a Board of Health permit and strict siting, at least 50 feet off every property line. Roosters are banned.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No stated limit (density capped at 1 bird per 3 sq ft of coop floor) |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required (Board of Health license) |
| Coop setback | 50 ft from property lines; 50 ft from dwellings; 200 ft from food establishments |
| Lot size | — |
Good to know
- A Board of Health license is required before keeping any live poultry, even non-commercially.
- Poultry must be confined in coops and runs; none may run at large.
- This is the Township of Washington in Bergen County.
Source: Township of Washington (Bergen) Code, Ch. 373, Art. XI (eCode360), § 373-86, 373-87 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Washington clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Washington?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across BergenCounty 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.