Concord, NC Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Backyard chicken keeping in Concord is governed by the 'Keeping of Chickens' standards in the Concord Development Ordinance (CDO). Lots zoned for and used as single-family detached or manufactured-home dwellings may keep a maximum of fifteen (15) domestic female (hen) chickens as an accessory use, scaled by lot size: up to ten (10) hens on a lot of one acre (1.0 ac) or more, and up to fifteen (15) hens on a lot of two acres (2.0 ac) or more. Male chickens (roosters) are prohibited. Hens must be kept for personal egg production or as pets; chicks and adult chickens may not be sold, and chicken manure, compost made with it, and produce fertilized with it may not be sold or distributed. Hens may not be slaughtered within the city limits. A chicken coop must be provided in the rear yard, set back at least 50 feet from any adjacent residence or right-of-way, enclosed with solid material with a solid roof and door(s); an existing shed or rear garage can serve as a coop. A chicken pen must be in the rear yard, set back at least 5 feet from lot lines or rights-of-way, built of wood or metal posts and wire fencing at least five feet high. Chickens must be secured in the coop during non-daylight hours. Coops, pens and surrounding areas must be kept sanitary, no more than two cubic feet of manure may be stored as unprocessed fertilizer (in a waterproof container), and stream buffer rules apply. Larger livestock is tied to agricultural zoning, not residential lots.