Durham County, NC Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Rather than a hard pet limit, Chapter 4 uses a kennel-license threshold. Sec. 4-37 provides that a person who owns, maintains, possesses, or controls five or more animals of the same species that are spayed/neutered may apply for a general kennel license; five or more that are not altered require a show/breeder license. Tax tiers run from $40 (5-10 altered animals) up to $1,200+ for large breeder kennels. A general kennel license requires proof of ownership, current rabies vaccination, spay/neuter, no outstanding animal-control violations, and consent to inspection of the housing area. Individual dogs and cats must also be licensed and rabies-vaccinated under Sec. 4-36 and Sec. 4-39.