NJ chicken rules · Hunterdon County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Bethlehem, NJ?
Bethlehem allows poultry as a farming use protected by its Right-to-Farm ordinance. The one hard rule is that any poultry or livestock shelter must sit at least 100 feet from every property line and every dwelling.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
| Hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | No poultry-specific permit (construction and zoning permits apply to structures) |
| Coop setback | Poultry or livestock shelter at least 100 ft from any dwelling and 100 ft from any property line |
| Lot size | No stated minimum for keeping poultry |
Good to know
- The Right-to-Farm chapter protects producing livestock, poultry, and related commodities.
- The animals chapter covers only dogs, cats, and wildlife feeding, with no poultry limits.
- This is Bethlehem Township, NJ (Hunterdon), not Bethlehem, PA.
Source: Township of Bethlehem Code, Ch. 102 & Ch. 81 (eCode360), § 102-17C, § 102-17E; § 81-1 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Bethlehem clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Bethlehem?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across HunterdonCounty 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.