Can you keep chickens in City of Wildwood, NJ?
No. Wildwood makes it unlawful to keep chickens or roosters anywhere in the city and treats them as a nuisance, with fines up to $200.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Not specified |
| Ducks | Not addressed in the code |
Good to know
- Chickens and roosters are named alongside cows, horses, pigs, sheep and goats in the ban.
- Keeping any of them is declared a nuisance.
- Violations carry a fine of up to $200.
- The ban does not apply to special events or contracts authorized by the board of commissioners.
What about ducks?
Unclear. Wildwood bans chickens and roosters but does not list ducks, and nothing else in the code addresses keeping them. Ask the city first.
§ 3-25.1: "It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation to keep within the limits of the City of Wildwood ... any cows, other cattle, horses, pigs, pot-bellied pigs, sheep, goats, roosters or chickens." Duck coops we build.
We build across Cape May County
City of Wildwood doesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout Cape May County and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
Chicken rules in nearby Cape May County towns
Compare them side by side in the Cape May 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.