NJ chicken rules · Middlesex County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Metuchen, NJ?
Metuchen's code says nothing about keeping backyard chickens, and its zoning lists no agricultural or poultry use, so keeping fowl isn't a permitted use in this small borough. Confirm with the borough.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Unclear |
| Hens | Not specified |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | — |
| Lot size | — |
Good to know
- The animals chapter covers only dogs, cats, and wildlife feeding.
- Zoning permitted-use lists include no agriculture, farm, or poultry use.
- A use not enumerated as permitted is generally not allowed; check with Metuchen zoning.
Source: Borough of Metuchen Code, Ch. 59 Animals & Land Use Art. 17 (eCode360), Ch. 59; Land Use Art. 17 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Metuchen clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Metuchen?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across MiddlesexCounty 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.