Can you keep chickens in Township of Pennsville, NJ?
Only on larger lots. In a residential district you may keep up to 12 chickens or other fowl on a lot of at least two acres, and the coop and manure must sit at least 200 feet from any street or property line.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 12 birds |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | Not specified |
| Coop setback | Housing and manure at least 200 ft from any adjacent street or property line; fencing at least 10 ft from property lines and 50 ft from the nearest dwelling |
| Lot size | Min. 2 acres |
Good to know
- Chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, hens and pheasants are Class III animals under Section 5.19.
- Class II or Class III animals must be kept in a pen, corral or other suitable enclosure with animal housing provided.
- The class limits do not apply to a bona fide farm as defined in Chapter 2 of the Land Development Ordinance.
- Chapter 05, Animals, of the codified ordinances covers dogs, cats and animal waste only, with no poultry rules.
Source: Township of Pennsville Land Development Ordinance, Chapter 5 (Zoning), § 5.19, Keeping animals and/or livestock within the confines of the Township of Pennsville (view the ordinance)
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district; always confirm the current rules with the Township of Pennsville clerk or zoning office before you build.
Chicken rules in nearby Salem County towns
Building a coop in Township of Pennsville?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across SalemCounty 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.