Craven County, NC Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt activity
- Bona fide farm use, including livestock & poultry
- Exempt from
- County zoning ordinance, Chapter 41 Article III
- Proof accepted
- Farm sales-tax exemption certificate or present-use value listing
- Not exempt
- Nonfarm uses of the same farm property
- Governing section
- Craven County Code ch. 41, art. I, § 601
Summary
Craven County's zoning ordinance (Article III) doesn't apply to property used for bona fide farm purposes, and the code specifically counts raising livestock and poultry as a bona fide farm activity. Keeping chickens, cattle, or other livestock on a genuine farm operation doesn't need a zoning permit, though nonfarm uses of the same property still do.
(a)Bona Fide Farming Exempt from County Zoning. The provisions of Article III of this Chapter shall not affect property used for bona fide farm purposes; provided, however, that this Section does not limit those Articles with respect to the use of farm property for nonfarm purposes. Except as provided in G.S. 106-743.4 for farms that are subject to a conservation agreement under G.S. 106-743.2, bona fide farm purposes include the production and activities relating or incidental to the production of crops, grains, fruits, vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, dairy, livestock, poultry, and all other forms of agriculture, as defined in G.S. 106-581.1. ... any of the following shall constitute sufficient evidence that the property is being used for bona fide farm purposes:(1)A farm sales tax exemption certificate issued by the Department of Revenue.(2)A copy of the property tax listing showing that the property is eligible for participation in the present-use value program pursuant to G.S. 105-277.3.
Full Breakdown
S. 1. S. 3. The ordinance is also careful to note what the exemption does not cover: it does not limit Article III's application to nonfarm uses of farm property, so a farm operation that also runs a nonfarm business on the same land still needs to comply with county zoning for that separate use. Structures tied to the farm use, including existing or new residences built to code for the farm's owner, lessee, or operator, and other buildings supporting the farm operation, are treated as part of the exempt farm use rather than as a separate development requiring zoning review.
Violations & Fines
Because bona fide farm activity, including raising livestock and poultry, is exempt from zoning, there is no zoning-permit violation to enforce against it. If a property owner claims the exemption for a use that is actually nonfarm, the county's general Chapter 41 enforcement powers apply: the Planning Director can issue a notice of violation or stop-work order under § 901, appealable to the Board of Adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a zoning permit to keep chickens or livestock in unincorporated Craven County?
How do I prove my livestock-keeping counts as a bona fide farm?
Does the farm exemption cover everything I do on the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Craven County
How Craven County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Craven County to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.