Can you keep chickens in Colts Neck Township, NJ?
Largely no. Colts Neck defines chickens as 'farm animals' and only permits them in its two agricultural districts (A-1 and AG), on farms of at least 5 acres. On an ordinary residential lot, keeping chickens is not permitted. Horses and ponies are the township-wide exception, not fowl.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not allowed on ordinary residential lots; only in the A-1/AG districts |
| Roosters | Not separately addressed |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Livestock shelter 100 ft from any dwelling or lot line; commercial poultry 500 ft |
| Lot size | 'Farm' = 5+ acres; chickens confined to A-1/AG districts |
| Ducks | Not allowed (same rule as chickens) |
Good to know
- Online claims that Colts Neck 'permits hens with lot-size limits' are wrong. The code confines chickens to the two agricultural districts.
- Horses and ponies are the exception allowed township-wide.
What about ducks?
Largely no. Colts Neck lists ducks with chickens as farm animals, allowed only in the A-1 and AG agricultural districts, not on ordinary residential lots.
§ 102-4 (Farm Animals); Part 3 common district rules: "horses, ponies, mules, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, cows, swine and cattle" Duck coops we build.
We build across Monmouth County
Colts Neck Township doesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout Monmouth County and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
Chicken rules in nearby Monmouth County towns
Compare them side by side in the Monmouth County table.
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.