NJ chicken rules · Bergen County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Woodcliff Lake, NJ?
Woodcliff Lake permits backyard hens under a $3 Board of Health license that sets the maximum number, requires an 8-foot property-line setback, and prohibits roosters.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Set by the Board of Health license (density capped at 1 bird per 3 sq ft of coop floor) |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required ($3 Board of Health license) |
| Coop setback | 8 ft from property lines; 30 ft from dwellings |
| Lot size | — |
Good to know
- The poultry article was newly adopted in 2024.
- The license names the location and the maximum number of birds.
- Poultry must be confined in a house with an enclosed run.
Source: Borough of Woodcliff Lake Code, Ch. 392, Art. III (eCode360), § 392-20, 392-25, 392-27 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Woodcliff Lake clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Woodcliff Lake?
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.