Can you keep chickens in Hopewell Township (Cumberland), NJ?
No, not on a residential lot. Hopewell bans barnyard fowl in every residential zoning district. Outside those districts, up to 12 birds are allowed on a lot of at least one acre.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted in residential zones |
| Roosters | Not permitted in residential zones |
| Permit | Not available (not allowed in residential zones) |
| Coop setback | Housing and manure at least 100 feet from any adjacent property line; fencing at least 10 feet from property lines and 50 feet from the nearest other dwelling |
| Lot size | Min. 1 acre, and only outside the residential zones |
Good to know
- The same rule appears twice, in the Animals chapter and in the Land Use and Development chapter, with the same residential ban.
- Class III animals are any feathered vertebrate, including chickens, hens, geese, ducks and turkeys.
- Pigs are banned in residential zones alongside barnyard fowl.
- Poultry farms are allowed where agricultural uses are permitted, with a 10 acre minimum parcel when birds are outside.
Source: Township of Hopewell (Cumberland County) Code (eCode360), § 117-26B(2), Keeping of other animals and livestock; general regulation (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Hopewell Township (Cumberland) clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Cumberland County towns
We build across Cumberland County
Hopewell Township (Cumberland)doesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout CumberlandCounty 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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