Can I keep chickens in Raleigh, NC?
Yes — Raleigh allows backyard chickens with no permit required. (Raleigh City Code Part 12, Ch. 3 (Animals), Secs. 12-3004, 12-3006, 12-3007, 12-3009, 12-3021; UDO Sec. 6.6.1 applies to community gardens only, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Fowl are classed as domesticated animals under Sec. 12-3004. Owners must provide adequate feed, water and shelter and may not allow animals to run at large. Nuisance provisions apply. Selling baby chicks under six weeks of age within city limits is prohibited. |
| Code section | Raleigh City Code Part 12, Ch. 3 (Animals), Secs. 12-3004, 12-3006, 12-3007, 12-3009, 12-3021; UDO Sec. 6.6.1 applies to community gardens only |
Raleigh treats fowl as domesticated animals, so backyard hens are allowed on residential property with no permit and no numeric cap in the animal code. The rules that do apply are the general ones: adequate food, water and shelter, no running at large, and no nuisance. The often-quoted per-lot chicken ratio in UDO Sec. 6.6.1 governs community gardens, not ordinary back yards, and expressly does not apply in Residential Districts.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Raleigh?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Raleigh (Raleigh City Code Part 12, Ch. 3 (Animals), Secs. 12-3004, 12-3006, 12-3007, 12-3009, 12-3021; UDO Sec. 6.6.1 applies to community gardens only).
How many chickens can I keep in Raleigh?
Raleigh sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Raleigh?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Raleigh.
What law covers backyard chickens in Raleigh?
Raleigh City Code Part 12, Ch. 3 (Animals), Secs. 12-3004, 12-3006, 12-3007, 12-3009, 12-3021; UDO Sec. 6.6.1 applies to community gardens only. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Raleigh City Code Part 12, Ch. 3 (Animals), Secs. 12-3004, 12-3006, 12-3007, 12-3009, 12-3021; UDO Sec. 6.6.1 applies to community gardens only — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for the owner of any domesticated animal to allow such animal to be at-large within the corporate limits of the City. (Sec. 12-3007; chapter contains no hen cap or permit provision)” source
“Domesticated animal. An animal such as is accustomed to live in or about the habitation of men, including but not limited to cats, cows, dogs, fowl, horses, and domesticated wild animals.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale, or permit to be sold or offered for sale, within the corporate limits of the City, baby chickens, baby ducklings, or baby rabbits less than six (6) weeks of age; provided, this section shall not apply to hatcheries raising chickens or ducks expressly for the broiler market or for sale to farms.” source
“Raising of animals is not permitted in a Residential District. In all other permitted districts, the raising of animals is subject to the following conditions... Chickens are permitted at rate of 1 chicken per 1,000 square feet of lot area not to exceed 10 chickens on any single lot. No roosters are allowed.” source
Last verified August 16, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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