Can you keep chickens in Borough of Wharton, NJ?
Yes, with a zoning permit. Hens are allowed on single-family lots under 5 acres, from 5 hens on a 5,000 sq ft lot up to a maximum of 12 hens on 12,000 sq ft or more, and roosters are not allowed.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | 5 to 12 hens, based on lot size |
| Roosters | Prohibited on lots under 5 acres |
| Permit | Required: zoning permit, then a $25 annual license from the Borough Clerk |
| Coop setback | Rear yard only; at least 7 ft from the property line and 30 ft from any neighboring dwelling |
| Lot size | Min. 5,000 sq ft for 5 hens, plus 1,000 sq ft per additional hen |
| Rule adopted | May 2026 |
| Ducks | Not addressed in the code |
Good to know
- The permit application needs proof of a poultry-keeping class and proof of pest control from a certified professional.
- Coop needs at least 3 sq ft per bird, with an attached, fully enclosed run of at least 5 sq ft per bird; run fencing tops out at 6 ft.
- Renters need the owner's written permission, and the permit ends when the property sells or the tenant changes.
- No keeping chickens for meat or sale, and no slaughtering on the property. Droppings must be collected weekly.
- eCode360's main code page still shows the older 2023 version (10-hen cap); the linked May 2026 ordinance has the current numbers.
What about ducks?
Unclear. Wharton's 2026 rule covers chickens only and the code never mentions ducks, so ask the borough before keeping them.
§ 343-41: "Chickens may be kept and maintained on single-family residential lots as an accessory use on lots less than 5 acres, provided a zoning permit is first obtained" Duck coops we build.
Building a coop in Borough of Wharton?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across Morris County 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.
Chicken rules in nearby Morris County towns
Compare them side by side in the Morris 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.