Can you keep chickens in City of New Brunswick, NJ?
No. New Brunswick's zoning code counts poultry and fowl as domesticated animals and says no domesticated animal is allowed on any residential lot or dwelling in the city.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | Not permitted |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Not available (chickens are banned) |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- Household pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots and canaries are carved out of this section.
- The same section bans horses, goats, sheep, swine, cattle and fur-bearing animals on residential lots.
- No building or stable for keeping such animals may be inside a dwelling or business building.
- Title 6 Animals covers only dogs, cats, traps, exotic wildlife registration and wildlife feeding, with no poultry provision.
Source: City of New Brunswick Municipal Code (Municode), § 17.03.220, Animals (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the City of New Brunswick clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Middlesex County towns
We build across Middlesex County
City of New Brunswickdoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout MiddlesexCounty 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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Tell us about your animals and your land. We'll design a coop built to last, on-site, just for you.