Greensboro, NC Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Within the designated sanctuary boundaries, Section 5-1(b)(1) makes it unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or otherwise kill any wild bird. The section carves out one narrow exception: starlings, English sparrows, pigeons or similar birds may be trapped or shot only when they are congregating in numbers that create a nuisance or a menace to health or property, and only after the property owner obtains every required governmental permit. 22 caliber rifles, or pistols. Before any such shooting, the property owner must notify adjoining property owners and occupants and the Greensboro Police Department Communications Center of the location and approximate time.

and noon. Section 5-1(b)(2) is stricter and carries no nuisance exception at all: interfering with, molesting, or in any way harming or damaging a bird's nest or bird's eggs within a sanctuary is unlawful outright, whether or not the species is a nuisance bird. Section 5-1(c) lets the city's bird clubs post signs explaining the sanctuary rules, but only in locations and designs the planning board approves. The three sanctuary zones cover a large share of the city's park and greenway land: the Country Park grounds, the area surrounding the Guilford Battleground, and the Reedy Fork Creek corridor running from below Lake Brandt to Lake Townsend at Church Street.