NJ chicken rules · Somerset County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Raritan, NJ?
Raritan Borough lets residents keep up to 6 hens (no roosters) with written permission from the Borough Clerk, on a lot of at least half an acre, in a fully enclosed coop within the zone's setbacks.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Up to 6 fowl total |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit | Required (written permission from the Borough Clerk; application plus notice to bordering property owners) |
| Coop setback | Coop must be fully enclosed and within the zone's bulk-area setbacks |
| Lot size | Minimum 1/2 acre |
Good to know
- The coop must confine birds to the owner's property and be kept sanitary.
- Slaughtering fowl within the borough is prohibited.
- This is Raritan Borough (Somerset), distinct from Raritan Township (Hunterdon).
Source: Borough of Raritan Code, Ch. 92 Animals, Art. I (eCode360), §§ 92-2 to 92-5 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Raritan clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Raritan?
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.