Rose Hill, NC Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum tract for fowl
- 20,000 sq ft
- Enclosure space per fowl
- 10 sq ft
- Setback from property line
- 5 feet
- Density limit
- 20 fowl per acre
- Tethering fowl
- unlawful outright
- Minimum civil penalty
- $75
Summary
Rose Hill lets residents keep chickens and other livestock only if they're fenced in or kept indoors, and domestic fowl face detailed standards: at least 20,000 square feet of land, a secure enclosure with 10 square feet per bird, and no more than 20 fowl per acre. Tethering any fowl is flatly banned.
All animals, but not limited to horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, or chickens (roosters) etc. within the corporate limits of the town shall be kept inside their residence or in a fenced in area on the owner's property. ... Domestic fowl. ... (2) No person shall keep or maintain domestic fowl in the town unless the fowl will be on a tract of land or maintained as follows: (a) The tract shall consist of at least 20,000 square feet under single ownership or control; (b) Such fowl must be contained in a secure fenced enclosure at all times; (c) The enclosure shall have a minimum of 10 square feet of area for each fowl; (d) No enclosure shall be erected or maintained within the front or side yard, within 5 feet of any property line or within 5 feet of another residence; ... (f) No more than 20 such fowl shall be kept or maintained per acre. The number of fowl shall be proportionate to the acreage. There will be no discounting for chicks or other young fowl; and (g) It shall be unlawful for any person to tether any fowl.
Full Breakdown
05(F) requires that all animals kept in Rose Hill, expressly including horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and chickens (roosters), stay either inside the owner's residence or in a fenced area on the owner's own property; none of these animals may simply roam the lot unconfined. 05(H) then sets a separate, more detailed standard just for domestic fowl. 05(H)(2): the tract must total at least 20,000 square feet under single ownership or control, the fowl must be contained in a secure fenced enclosure at all times, that enclosure must provide at least 10 square feet per bird, and it cannot sit in the front or side yard or within 5 feet of a property line or another residence.
Density is capped too: no more than 20 fowl per acre, calculated proportionately to the tract's size, with no discount for chicks or other young birds. 05(O). 99, with the Animal Control Supervisor also able to issue a civil citation starting at $75.
Violations & Fines
Keeping fowl or livestock without meeting the acreage, enclosure, spacing, or density standards in § 90.05(H), or letting fowl run loose in town, is a misdemeanor under § 90.99, punishable under G.S. § 14-4, and can also draw a civil citation of at least $75 from the Animal Control Officer or designee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Rose Hill?
How many chickens can I keep in Rose Hill?
Can I keep a horse or goat in Rose Hill?
Can I tether my chickens instead of fencing them?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rose Hill
How Rose Hill compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Rose Hill to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
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