Winston-Salem bans no dog breeds. NC has no BSL preemption, but the city uses a behavior-based dangerous dog rule under N.C.G.S. 67-4.1 instead of breed legislation. HOAs may set their own breed rules.
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County use a behavior-based approach consistent with N.C.G.S. 67-4.1 (Dangerous Dog Act). No dog is banned or restricted by breed at the city level. A dog becomes a dangerous dog by biting, attacking, or menacing behavior, not by breed. Once declared dangerous, owners must comply with confinement, muzzle, insurance, and registration requirements. Declared dogs must be microchipped, spayed or neutered, confined in secure enclosures, and liability insurance of at least 100,000 dollars is required. North Carolina has no statewide BSL preemption, so the city could adopt breed bans but has chosen not to. Private HOAs, landlords, and insurance companies may still restrict specific breeds on their properties.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem driveways require permits for new curb cuts and must meet UDO standards for width and paving material. Residential driveways limited to 24 feet...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem street parking is free in residential areas with 72-hour maximum stays. Downtown has metered parking with enforcement 8 AM to 6 PM Monday throu...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem defines abandoned vehicles as those parked on public streets over 72 hours or inoperative vehicles on private property. Police tag suspicious v...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential zoning districts. Semi-trucks, dump trucks, and large delivery vehicles cann...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is not in a designated high-severity wildfire zone, but wooded neighborhoods along Salem Creek, Muddy Creek, and the western edge near Pilot Mo...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from stru...
See how Winston-Salem's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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