New Castle County, DE Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum lot size
- 1 acre
- Enforced by
- County Complaints Department
- Exempt animals
- horses (all lot sizes)
- Also exempt
- school and 4-H education programs
- Zones covered
- residential, diversified PUD, MM districts
Summary
New Castle County bans keeping cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs, and similar livestock on residentially zoned parcels under one acre, with exemptions for horses and school agricultural programs.
It shall be unlawful for any owner, tenant or other person in control of a property to raise, breed, keep, shelter or harbor any cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, waterfowl, guinea hens, chickens, turkeys, donkeys, quail, doves, llamas, ... and other like animals on a parcel of land which is less than one (1) acre in total area and located in any residentially zoned district, a diversified planned unit development or an MM zoned district.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Section 4.02.004 of the New Castle County Code makes it unlawful to raise, breed, keep, shelter, or harbor cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, guinea hens, chickens, turkeys, donkeys, llamas, and similar animals on any parcel under one acre in a residentially zoned district, a diversified planned unit development, or an MM district. Horses are exempt outright, and animals kept for bona fide school, 4-H, Delaware Cooperative Extension, or listed pigeon-club educational programs are also exempt. The County Complaints Department enforces the section; violations carry the general penalty set in Section 1.01.009. The ban applies within New Castle County's zoning jurisdiction. Wilmington and Newark run their own zoning and animal codes and are not covered here.
Violations & Fines
Violating the residential-livestock ban is punishable under the general penalty in Section 1.01.009, enforced by the County Complaints Department; horses and qualifying school or 4-H programs are exempt from prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens on my property in New Castle County?
Are horses allowed on residential lots under one acre?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Castle County
How New Castle County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare New Castle County to another location·View the Delaware animal ordinances overview
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