Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Wake County

Wake County, NC Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Zoning status
Permitted (P) in all districts
Governing table
UDO § 4-11
Use category
Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry (§4-25-1)
Includes
Livestock, poultry, dairy animals

Summary

Wake County's UDO permits agriculture, including livestock and poultry keeping, as a by-right use in every residential, highway, commercial and industrial zoning district.

City-specific rules exist: Cary, Raleigh, and Apex have their own chickens & livestock rules that differ from Wake County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry P P P P P P P P P P P P P - ... Examples of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry uses include crops, grains, fruits, vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, dairy, livestock, poultry, landscaping tree farms and Christmas tree farms.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Unified Development Ordinance: Supplement 9).

Full Breakdown

The UDO's use table (Sec. 4-11) lists 'Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry' as a Permitted (P) use in every residential, highway, commercial and industrial district in unincorporated Wake County, with no special use permit required. Sec. 4-25-1 defines this use category to include the growing or harvesting of crops and 'dairy, livestock, poultry' among its examples, so keeping farm animals is a permitted zoning use countywide, subject only to the UDO's other applicable standards such as setbacks and buffers.

Violations & Fines

Keeping livestock is not itself a zoning violation anywhere in unincorporated Wake County; violations would arise only from unrelated standards such as required setbacks, buffers, or a separate nuisance/health complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep livestock on residential property in unincorporated Wake County?
Yes. The UDO use table permits 'Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry', which includes livestock and poultry, as a by-right use in every zoning district, per Sec. 4-11 and Sec. 4-25-1.
Do I need a permit to raise farm animals in Wake County?
No zoning permit is required; the use is Permitted (P) countywide under the UDO use table, though other standards like setbacks still apply.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Wake County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsBeekeepingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Artificial TurfFew Restrictions

All Wake County rules

How Wake County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Wake County to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Chickens & Livestock in Wake County, NC changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Chickens & Livestock in Cities Across Wake County

Raleigh, NCCary, NCApex, NC