Can I keep chickens in Chapel Hill, NC?
Yes — Chapel Hill allows backyard chickens, up to 10 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 30 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Chapel Hill Town Code Sec. 4-10(d)-(e), verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 30 ft |
| Coop rules | Chickens must be kept at least 30 feet from the nearest residence other than the owner's and may not be kept between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street-facing walls of a residence. Chicken houses and lots must be kept clean and sanitary. Chickens may not run at large. |
| Code section | Chapel Hill Town Code Sec. 4-10(d)-(e) |
Chapel Hill allows up to 10 chickens per property with no permit. The zoning ordinance permits only female chickens as a residential use, so roosters are not allowed. Birds must be kept at least 30 feet from any neighboring residence and cannot be kept in the front yard. Raising chickens commercially is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Chapel Hill?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill Town Code Sec. 4-10(d)-(e)).
How many chickens can I keep in Chapel Hill?
Up to 10 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Chapel Hill?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Chapel Hill.
Are roosters allowed in Chapel Hill?
No — roosters are prohibited in Chapel Hill.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Chapel Hill?
30 feet minimum. Chickens must be kept at least 30 feet from the nearest residence other than the owner's and may not be kept between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street-facing walls of a residence. Chicken houses and lots must be kept clean and sanitary. Chickens may not run at large.
What law covers backyard chickens in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill Town Code Sec. 4-10(d)-(e). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Chapel Hill Town Code Sec. 4-10(d)-(e) — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than ten (10) chickens within the corporate limits of the town.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than ten (10) chickens within the corporate limits of the town. Chickens must be kept a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the nearest residence other than that of the owner and may not be kept between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street facing walls of a residence.” source
“Table 3.7-1: Use Matrix ... Agriculture, Female Chickens. Agriculture, female chicken: The use of land for the keeping of female chickens in accordance with the following regulations: ... (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than ten (10) female chickens. (3) Female Chickens must be kept a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the nearest residence other than that of the owner and may not be kept between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street facing walls of a residence.” source
“Chickens must be kept a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the nearest residence other than that of the owner and may not be kept between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street facing walls of a residence.” source
Last verified August 2, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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