NJ chicken rules · Hunterdon County
Can you keep chickens in Town of Clinton, NJ?
In the Town of Clinton, raising poultry is permitted only on residential properties of 5 acres or more, a threshold very few in-town lots meet, so backyard chickens are effectively off-limits on an ordinary lot.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Not specified (no per-bird number) |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | No poultry-specific permit |
| Coop setback | Not specified for poultry |
| Lot size | 5 acres or more required |
Good to know
- Zoning permits agricultural uses including raising poultry and livestock, except hogs, on properties of 5+ acres.
- The Town of Clinton is small and densely settled, so few parcels reach 5 acres.
- This is the Town of Clinton, distinct from Clinton Township; the township's 2-acre/25-fowl rule does NOT apply here.
Source: Town of Clinton Code, Ch. 88 Land Use, Art. VII (eCode360), § 88-52 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Town of Clinton clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Town of Clinton?
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.