NJ chicken rules · Somerset County
Can you keep chickens in Borough of Somerville, NJ?
Somerville's health code allows chickens as long as they are not kept in a cellar or dwelling and are confined to a clean, enclosed coop and runway that doesn't become a nuisance. No hen count or permit is set.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes, with conditions |
| Hens | Not specified |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | None stated in the health chapter |
| Coop setback | Not specified |
| Lot size | — |
Good to know
- Fowl may not be kept in any cellar or dwelling house and must be confined to a suitable coop with an enclosed runway.
- Enforcement is nuisance-based; the ordinance sets no counts, permits, or distances.
- A separate zoning review could impose additional limits.
Source: Borough of Somerville Code, Ch. 178 Animals and Fowl (eCode360), § 178-1 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Borough of Somerville clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Borough of Somerville?
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.