Can you keep chickens in Knowlton Township, NJ?
Yes, with limits. On residential lots you need at least 1/2 acre for 6 fowl, plus 3 more birds for each extra 1/2 acre, and roosters are banned on lots under 2 acres.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | 6 per 1/2 acre, plus 3 per additional 1/2 acre |
| Roosters | Prohibited on lots under 2 acres |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Coop must meet the zone's accessory setback (15 ft from side/rear lines in AR-1); run fences 4 ft from property lines |
| Lot size | Min. 1/2 acre |
Good to know
- The same fowl and rabbit rule appears in the AR-1, FP, VR, C-1, C-2 and PCD zone regulations.
- The 6-bird count is a combined total of fowl and rabbits.
- Animals must be kept in the rear yard only and must have a coop that conforms to the zone's setbacks.
- The coop must be built and kept so it does not create offensive odors or fly breeding.
Source: Knowlton Township Code (eCode360), § 11-289B, Restrictions on residential lots for nonhousehold animals (AR-1 Zone) (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Knowlton Township clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Knowlton Township?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across WarrenCounty 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.