High Point, NC Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hen limit
- 5 per dwelling house
- Roosters
- prohibited
- Setback
- 40 feet from dwellings
- Multifamily properties
- no chickens allowed
- Zoning exemption
- agricultural/rural districts
Summary
High Point allows up to five hens per single-family dwelling, bans roosters entirely, requires enclosures 40 feet from any dwelling and located in the back yard, and forbids chickens at multifamily properties.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep enclosures for fowl and/or small animals under this section within 40 feet of any dwelling house or structure used as a dwelling house, unless the house or structure is occupied by the owner of the animal or fowl. ... The keeping of chickens under this section shall be limited to hens and the keeping male chickens (roosters) shall be prohibited. A maximum of five (5) chickens may be kept per dwelling house and in no event shall the keeping of any animals under this section be allowed for any multifamily dwelling structures.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9 | Development Ordinance: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
Section 12-2-2 caps backyard flocks at five hens per dwelling house, prohibits roosters outright, and bars chicken-keeping at any multifamily dwelling. Enclosures must sit at least 40 feet from any dwelling house (unless that structure is occupied by the animal's owner), must be in the back yard, physically separate from the house, and built to keep animals in and predators out. Owners may sell eggs but not meat, and home slaughter for personal use is allowed only if not visible from public areas or neighboring property. Agricultural or rural-zoned districts under the city's development ordinance are exempt from these restrictions.
Violations & Fines
Violating the pen/enclosure, hen-count, rooster ban, or multifamily prohibition is a chapter-wide $50 fixed civil penalty, escalating to a civil debt action if unpaid after 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in High Point?
How far must a chicken coop be from a house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in High Point
How High Point compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare High Point to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle chickens & livestock.