NJ chicken rules · Somerset County
Can you keep chickens in Branchburg Township, NJ?
Yes. Branchburg permits 'home agriculture' — raising for your own household — in all zones. Any building housing animals must sit at least 50 feet from any lot line, and there's no stated hen limit for home use.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
| Hens | No numeric limit found (home agriculture) |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified for home agriculture |
| Coop setback | 50 ft from any lot line (building housing animals) |
| Lot size | No minimum for home agriculture |
Good to know
- Commercial agriculture is limited to certain zones and needs 5+ acres.
- The animal-control chapter covers only dogs, cats, and horses; poultry is handled through zoning.
Source: Branchburg Land Development Ordinance (eCode360), § LDO4-6, Agricultural Uses — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Branchburg Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Branchburg Township?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across SomersetCounty 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.