NJ chicken rules · Hunterdon County
Can you keep chickens in Township of West Amwell, NJ?
West Amwell declares farming, including keeping fowl, a permitted use in every zone, as long as the birds are kept confined and any intensive fowl operation meets the township's standards.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
| Hens | No backyard cap (large-scale "intensive fowl" use is separately regulated) |
| Roosters | Not specified |
| Permit | No poultry-specific permit (zoning permit applies to uses generally) |
| Coop setback | Not specified for ordinary keeping; intensive fowl use has separate standards |
| Lot size | No hard minimum for keeping fowl |
Good to know
- The right to farm is declared a permitted use in all zones, including use of range for fowl.
- Chickens and fowl may not stray or run at large in the township.
- This is West Amwell, distinct from East Amwell.
Source: Township of West Amwell Code, Ch. 109 & Ch. 75 (eCode360), § 109-64A; § 75-11 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of West Amwell clerk or zoning office before you build.
Building a coop in Township of West Amwell?
Triano Farms builds custom, predator-proof chicken coops on-site across HunterdonCounty 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.