NJ chicken rules · Middlesex County
Can you keep chickens in Township of Old Bridge, NJ?
Old Bridge allows hens (no roosters) with a $25 zoning permit and proof of a poultry-keeping class, scaled by lot size: 5 hens per 5,000 sq ft up to a maximum of 15, in a rear-yard coop set back at least 10 feet from property lines.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | 5 per 5,000 sq ft, up to a maximum of 15 |
| Roosters | Prohibited (no roosters on residential lots under 5 acres) |
| Permit | Required (one-time $25 zoning permit; poultry-keeping class required) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft from adjoining property lines; rear yard only |
| Lot size | Minimum 10,000 sq ft (lots under 5 acres) |
Good to know
- A modern backyard-hen ordinance adopted in 2023.
- Plan 3 sq ft of coop and 5 sq ft of run per bird; coop and run capped at 2% of the lot or 600 sq ft.
- No slaughter, consumption, or sale of chickens on the property.
Source: Township of Old Bridge Code, Ch. 39, Art. I (eCode360), § 39-5.1 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of Old Bridge clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of Old Bridge?
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.