Can I keep chickens in Winston-Salem, NC?
Yes — Winston-Salem allows backyard chickens, up to 5 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (6-6, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Enclosed run minimum 4 feet high, 10 sq ft per bird. Coop solid material, minimum 3 sq ft floor per bird, 2 feet high. |
| Code section | 6-6 |
Winston-Salem allows up to five hens on residentially zoned property inside the city limits. Roosters are prohibited. Enclosures must stay at least 20 feet from any adjacent property line. The zoning permit that used to be required was struck by Ordinance 2022-18 in August 2022.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Winston-Salem?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Winston-Salem (6-6).
How many chickens can I keep in Winston-Salem?
Up to 5 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Winston-Salem?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Winston-Salem.
Are roosters allowed in Winston-Salem?
No — roosters are prohibited in Winston-Salem.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Winston-Salem?
20 feet minimum. Enclosed run minimum 4 feet high, 10 sq ft per bird. Coop solid material, minimum 3 sq ft floor per bird, 2 feet high.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Winston-Salem?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Winston-Salem's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Winston-Salem?
6-6. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
6-6 — read the official code
“The maximum number of chickens or other fowl that can be kept on any property within the corporate limits of the city shall be five.” source
“(e) Reserved. Permit required for the keeping of chickens or other fowl and pigeons. (f) Reserved. Permit renewal and revocation. [Ordinance #2022-18, approved August 15, 2022, struck subsections (e) and (f).]” 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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