Can I keep chickens in Burlington, NC?
No — Burlington does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Burlington Code ch. 6, Secs. 6-2, 6-13, 6-65, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop rules | Not applicable - keeping of fowl (defined to include chickens) is prohibited citywide. |
| Code section | Burlington Code ch. 6, Secs. 6-2, 6-13, 6-65 |
Burlington bans keeping chickens and all other fowl inside the city limits; violations are civil penalties starting at $75. An earlier proposal to allow backyard hens was rejected, and in September 2026 the City Council directed staff to draft a new hen ordinance and opened a community survey, but no allowance has been adopted or codified. Note: permissive permit data circulating online belongs to Burlington, Colorado - not this city.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Burlington?
No — chickens are not allowed in Burlington (Burlington Code ch. 6, Secs. 6-2, 6-13, 6-65).
Are roosters allowed in Burlington?
No — roosters are prohibited in Burlington.
What law covers backyard chickens in Burlington?
Burlington Code ch. 6, Secs. 6-2, 6-13, 6-65. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Burlington Code ch. 6, Secs. 6-2, 6-13, 6-65 — read the official code
“Sec. 6-13. - Keeping of fowl prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to have and keep fowl within the city limits.” source
“Fowl: Birds customarily used for the production of meat or eggs including, but not limited to... chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, collectively.” source
“City of Burlington - Backyard Chickens (community survey and information page, September 2026)” source
“Staff instructed by city council to draft new ordinance allowing backyard chickens” source
Last verified September 20, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →