Can you keep chickens in Borough of Hightstown, NJ?
Yes, up to 6 fowl of any kind, but the coop or pen has to sit at least 35 feet from every property line and 35 feet from the house. On a typical borough lot those two distances leave very little room.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 6 fowl |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified; the property is subject to an annual Borough inspection |
| Coop setback | 35 feet from all property lines and 35 feet from the principal building |
| Lot size | No minimum stated |
Good to know
- The 6-fowl cap applies regardless of property size, and chicks hatched above that number must go within 60 days.
- Fowl covers chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, ostriches and game birds.
- Coops need raised floors, not dirt or bare floors, and birds must stay in a coop with an enclosed run or fenced area.
- The Health Officer, Construction Official or Police Department enforce the article.
Source: Borough of Hightstown Municipal Code (eCode360), Ch. 5, Art. 5-5, §§ 5-5-1 through 5-5-7, Farm Animals and Fowl (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Hightstown clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Mercer County towns
Building a coop in Borough of Hightstown?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across MercerCounty and all of New Jersey, sized to your flock and built to your town's rules.
In an HOA? The town allowing hens is not the same as your association allowing them. What an HOA can and cannot stop.
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.