Forsyth County allows up to eight backyard chickens on lots of at least a half-acre under UDC 16-4.4, with roosters banned. Livestock in Res1 needs a conditional use permit, two acres, and one animal per acre (16-4.18).
Backyard chickens are governed by UDC section 16-4.4: a minimum half-acre lot, no more than eight chickens, roosters and all crowing fowl prohibited, and no on-site slaughter. Coops need no building permit but must sit at least 20 feet from side and rear lines and 50 feet from neighboring homes, with five square feet per bird. Livestock is stricter: under section 16-4.18, raising livestock in the Res1 district requires a conditional use permit, a two-acre minimum, one animal per acre, and structures 50 feet from any property line. Agricultural A1 parcels follow separate, more permissive poultry-house rules.
Keeping roosters, exceeding eight hens, siting a coop inside the setbacks, or raising livestock without the required conditional use permit is a UDC violation enforced by county code compliance, with correction notices, daily fines, and animal removal.
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