Forsyth County, NC Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Flat pet cap
- None at county level
- Nuisance rule
- Sec. 6-9 (public nuisance)
- License required
- Sec. 6-10 (dogs & cats)
- Rabies vaccination
- Required at 3 months (Sec. 6-25)
- City limits
- Winston-Salem/town caps may apply
Summary
Forsyth County's animal code sets no flat numeric limit on how many dogs or cats you may keep. Instead, keeping animals so as to create a public nuisance is prohibited (Sec. 6-9), and every dog and cat must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated. Winston-Salem and towns may set stricter numeric limits.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or custodian to permit his or her animal, or an animal in his or her care to create a public nuisance. Public nuisance is defined as damaging, soiling, or defiling community or neighborhood private or public property... causing unsanitary or offensive conditions.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 6 does not cap ordinary pet ownership by a set number. Control is through the public-nuisance provision: Sec. 6-9 makes it unlawful to permit an animal to create a public nuisance, defined to include damaging or defiling property, causing unsanitary or offensive conditions, or impeding safety. Independently, Sec. 6-10 requires every dog and cat owner to license their animal with the Sheriff's Office Animal Services Division, and Sec. 6-25 requires current rabies vaccination for every dog, cat, or ferret three months or older. Winston-Salem and the incorporated towns may impose their own household pet-number limits within city limits, so check municipal code.
Violations & Fines
Keeping animals so as to create a public nuisance (Sec. 6-9) is a Class 3 misdemeanor, fine up to $500 (Sec. 6-55), with a civil schedule of $50/$75/$150/$200/$500 for successive offenses plus microchipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I keep in Forsyth County?
Do my pets have to be licensed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
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