NJ chicken rules · Somerset County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of North Plainfield, NJ?
North Plainfield allows up to 3 hens (no roosters) with a Board of Health permit and signed neighbor approvals, in a predator-safe coop at least 50 feet from any neighboring property line.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 3 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required (Board of Health permit with neighbor approval letters; $25 per animal per year) |
| Coop setback | Coop at least 50 ft from any neighboring property line |
| Lot size | Not specified |
Good to know
- The permit application must include names and written approval from surrounding neighbors.
- Coop must be predator-safe; birds may not run at large and noise nuisance is prohibited.
- This is North Plainfield Borough (Somerset), not the City of Plainfield (Union).
Source: Borough of North Plainfield Code, Ch. 26 Board of Health, Art. IV (eCode360), §§ 26-4.1, 26-4.2 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of North Plainfield clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of North Plainfield?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across SomersetCounty 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.