NJ chicken rules · Mercer County
Backyard chicken rules in Mercer County, NJ
Every town in Mercer County sets its own rule. Of the 11 we have read, 7 allow backyard hens outright or with conditions, 2 ban them, and 2 have no clear rule in the code. Each town page cites the ordinance it comes from.
| Town | Hens | Roosters | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Township of East Windsor | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Ewing | By lot size: 4 (under 7,500 sf), 6 (7,500+ sf), 10 (over 40,000 sf) | Prohibited | Required (Health Department license, $20/year, with a zoning permit and an initial inspection) |
| Township of Hamilton | No set count on a typical lot; the RRC rural zone allows up to 100 fowl per 1/4 acre | Not addressed | None required by the animal code |
| Borough of Hightstown | Up to 6 fowl | Not specified | Not specified; the property is subject to an annual Borough inspection |
| Township of Hopewell | Up to 6 on a half-acre, plus 4 more per additional half-acre | Prohibited (mature roosters; limited certified breeding visits allowed) | Required (zoning shelter permit) |
| Township of Lawrence | 2 to 6, scaled by lot size (2 at 5,000 sq ft, up to 6 at 40,000) | Prohibited (males removed before 3 months or first crow) | Required ($25 home-agriculture zoning permit) |
| Municipality of Princeton | 2 to 8 or more, scaled by lot size (2 at 5,000 sq ft, up to 8 at 60,000) | Prohibited | Required ($20/year license) |
| Borough of Pennington | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Township of Robbinsville | Counted as farm livestock: a minimum of 5 acres for every 2 animals | Not addressed | No chicken license; zoning-governed |
| City of Trenton | No stated limit | Not specified | Required: $10 annual Health Officer license |
| Township of West Windsor | No per-bird count; governed by the 5-acre threshold | Not addressed | No chicken license; agricultural use governed by zoning |
Rules come from each town's municipal code and are cited on the town's own page. Ordinances change, so confirm with your town before you build. See every NJ town.
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