Can you keep chickens in Township of Manchester, NJ?
Only on larger lots. Manchester makes poultry unlawful in residential zones and planned retirement communities, and allows it only in listed farm and rural zones on lots of at least two acres.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | No stated limit |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Pens, coops, barns and shelters at least 50 feet from any adjoining property line |
| Lot size | Min. 2 acres |
Good to know
- Poultry is permitted only in the PPA, PFA-S, PFA-R, FA-S, FA-R, WTRA, R-A, R-40 and BVR-40 zones.
- Pigs and hogs are prohibited in every zone.
- Domesticated household pets, four or fewer on a residential lot, are excluded from the poultry and farm animal rule.
- The section does not set a number cap on birds.
Source: Township of Manchester Code (eCode360), § 245-25S, Poultry, farm animals and wildlife: limitations and requirements (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Township of Manchester clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Manchester?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across OceanCounty 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.