NJ chicken rules · Hunterdon County
Can you keep chickens in Clinton Township, NJ?
Yes. Clinton Township allows raising poultry as a permitted agricultural use, scaled by an animal-unit system: roughly 25 birds on 1 acre, 50 on 2, and so on. Fowl housing must sit at least 50 feet from any property line — 100 feet if you house more than 100 birds.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | ~25 birds per acre (animal-unit system) |
| Roosters | Allowed (not distinguished) |
| Permit | Not specified (permitted principal use) |
| Coop setback | 50 ft from any property line; 100 ft if housing more than 100 fowl |
| Lot size | No strict minimum for a small flock; scales by acreage |
Good to know
- Bird care must follow USDA recommended practices.
- Grandfather clause for pre-existing numbers.
Source: Clinton Township Land Use Code (eCode360), Ch. 165, § 165-134C (Agricultural) — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Clinton Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Clinton Township?
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.