NJ chicken rules · Mercer County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Hopewell, NJ?
Hopewell Township (Mercer County) allows up to 6 hens on a half-acre, and more with more land, under a zoning shelter permit. Mature roosters are prohibited, and coops must sit 25 feet from any property line.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 6 on a half-acre, plus 4 more per additional half-acre |
| Roosters | Prohibited (mature roosters; limited certified breeding visits allowed) |
| Permit | Required (zoning shelter permit) |
| Coop setback | 25 ft from property lines; 50 ft from an adjoining home; rear yard only |
| Lot size | Minimum 1/2 acre |
Good to know
- The shelter is capped at 150 sq ft and 14 ft high.
- Manure must be kept 25 ft from lot lines and 50 ft from an adjoining home.
- Keeping chickens is treated as home agriculture under the township's Right to Farm chapter.
Source: Township of Hopewell (Mercer) Code, Ch. 5 (eCode360), § 5-3.4 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Hopewell clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Hopewell?
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.
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.