Raleigh, NC Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

The Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) generally prohibits livestock in standard urban and suburban residential districts (R-1 through R-10, and townhome/mixed-use districts). Livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs are permitted as accessory to residential use only in agricultural and very low-density residential zoning districts such as R-R (Rural Residential) and RX (Residential Mixed Use), typically on lots of at least 40,000 square feet (roughly one acre) or more, with minimum acreage scaling by species and herd size. Coops, barns, and pastures must meet setback requirements from property lines and dwellings (often 50 to 100 feet). Owners must manage manure to prevent runoff into streams, comply with NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Animal Feeding Operations rules if thresholds are exceeded, and meet Wake County public-health standards. All cattle, horses, and small ruminants have specific state-level disease-reporting and vaccination requirements under the NC Department of Agriculture. Slaughter of livestock on residential property is prohibited inside city limits. Homeowners in annexation areas that formerly allowed livestock may have grandfather rights but should confirm with Raleigh Planning. Electric fencing for livestock containment is allowed in agricultural districts.