NJ chicken rules · Mercer County
Can you keep chickens in Township of West Windsor, NJ?
West Windsor has no backyard-chicken ordinance; keeping fowl is treated purely as a farm use permitted only on lots of at least 5 acres, with poultry buildings set 200 feet from every property line, so ordinary backyard hens aren't allowed.
The rules at a glance
| Chickens allowed | No |
| Hens | No per-bird count; governed by the 5-acre threshold |
| Roosters | Not addressed |
| Permit | No chicken license; agricultural use governed by zoning |
| Coop setback | No building sheltering fowl within 200 ft of any property line |
| Lot size | Farm and agricultural uses only on a lot of at least 5 acres |
Good to know
- The only fowl rules in the code are agricultural (accessory-structure and right-to-farm zoning provisions).
- A 2022 zoning-board discussion floated treating a few chickens as pets, but no such small-lot allowance is in the code; confirm with the township.
Source: Township of West Windsor Code, Ch. 200 Land Use (eCode360), § 200-226B; § 200-146 — view the ordinance
Verified 2026-09. Ordinances change and zoning can differ by district — always confirm the current rules with the Township of West Windsor clerk or zoning office before you build.
We build across Mercer County
Township of West Windsordoesn't allow backyard chickens today, but ordinances change, and we build custom sheds and animal structures on-site throughout MercerCounty and all of New Jersey. If a coop is in your plans, we can help you sort out where it's allowed nearby.
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