Can you keep chickens in Borough of Hopewell, NJ?
No. The Borough of Hopewell zoning code bans keeping chickens or fowl of any kind in every zone except as part of a permitted farm use, and a farm must be 5 or more acres.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- § 12-5.8(e) lists keeping or raising chickens or fowl of any kind as a prohibited use in any zone, except with a permitted farm use.
- The R-75P residential zone allows farms except livestock and poultry (§ 12-13.1).
- A farm is defined as a parcel of 5 acres or more used for gain (§ 12-4.28).
- The Animals chapter and Board of Health chapters have no chicken rules.
Source: Borough of Hopewell Code (eCode360), § 12-5.8, Prohibited Uses (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Hopewell clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Mercer County towns
Compare them side by side in the Mercer County table.
We build across Mercer County
Borough of Hopewelldoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout MercerCounty and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
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