Kill Devil Hills, NC Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hens allowed
- 3 to 6 per lot, no roosters
- Location
- Rear yard, west of US 158 only
- Coop space
- 2 sq ft/hen; 4 sq ft coop+run
- Curfew
- Coop-locked 10pm to 6am
- Zones allowed
- RL, LI-1, LI-2, Gov't/Institution
- Registration
- Required with Town Manager + fee
Summary
Kill Devil Hills allows three to six chicken hens (no roosters) per lot as an accessory residential use, but only west of US 158 in specific zoning districts, and bans all other livestock and domestic fowl within 500 feet of another occupied residence.
The raising of chicken hens shall be primarily for the purpose of collecting the eggs produced therefrom; this section shall not be construed to allow for the commercial slaughter or sale of any chicken hens for any purpose. No person shall keep chicken hens within the town in such a manner that a nuisance or public nuisance animal is created. At no time shall "chicken hen or hens" be construed to include "chicken rooster or roosters." A maximum number of six and no fewer than three chicken hens may be kept on a single lot or tract within the corporate limits of the town ... The chicken coop must provide the chicken hens with adequate protection from predators, and from the elements and inclement weather, be covered, well-ventilated, and provide a minimum of two square feet per chicken hen. Together, the coop and chicken run must provide a minimum total of four square feet per chicken hen. ... Chicken hens shall be placed in their coop by 10:00 p.m. and not let out into the chicken run prior to 6:00 a.m.
Full Breakdown
Town Code Chapter 94 splits poultry into two rules. 04 bans keeping livestock or domestic fowl of any kind, except chicken hens, within 500 feet of an occupied residence other than the owner's own. 25 then carves out backyard hens: a lot may keep no fewer than three and no more than six chicken hens, kept strictly for eggs, never for commercial slaughter or sale, and never roosters. 082(B). The owner must live on the property and either own it or hold written authorization from the owner (Dare County Schools are exempt from that requirement).
Coops must give each hen at least two square feet, with four square feet total between coop and run, sit on a permeable surface, stay clean and dry, and control dust, odor and waste; manure must be composted or collected weekly under a written waste management plan approved by the Animal Control Division. , and cannot run at large. 26 requires registering the coop with the Town Manager, including a fee set by the Board of Commissioners and joint inspection by Animal Control and Planning and Inspections before construction.
27, and a coop or run kept out of compliance is treated as a nuisance subject to removal and impoundment under Chapter 93 and Chapter 153.
Violations & Fines
Keeping hens outside the allowed districts, exceeding six hens, keeping roosters, or running an unregistered or noncompliant coop is enforced as a nuisance under Chapter 93, with removal and impoundment by the Animal Control Division. General violations of the town code carry a Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. § 14-4 (fine up to $50) or civil penalties starting at $50 per day for the first 15 days after notice, rising to $100 per day through day 30 and $500 per day after that under § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens anywhere in Kill Devil Hills?
How many chickens can I keep?
Do I need to register my coop?
What happens if my coop violates the rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kill Devil Hills
How Kill Devil Hills compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Kill Devil Hills to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
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