Animal Ordinances in Cary, NC (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Cary, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina, the Land Development Ordinance lets homeowners on lots of 6,000+ square feet keep up to five hens as an accessory use with a town permit; roosters, on-site slaughter, and sales of eggs or birds are all barred.
Cary, NC Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsCary Land Development Ordinance § 5.3.4(J)
The keeping of chickens shall be permitted as an accessory use in conjunction with detached, single-unit residential uses in the R-20, R-12, R-8, TR, TC-MDR, TC-LDR, TC-LDR-12, PDD and MXD districts where the minimum lot size is six thousand (6,000) square feet... An accessory use permit must be secured in accordance with Section 3.5... The maximum number of female chickens (hens) allowed is fi...
Dog Leash Laws
The Town of Cary makes it unlawful to let a domestic animal run at large in town or on town property, with dogs allowed off-leash only in designated Cary dog parks, in Wake County, North Carolina.
Cary Dogs and Domestic Animals At Large
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 6-65
It is unlawful for the owner of any domestic animal to allow such animal to be at large in the town or on any town property except that dogs may be unleashed in approved, designated areas inside Town of Cary Dog Parks.
Breed Restrictions
Cary does not impose breed-specific legislation. North Carolina state law addresses dangerous dogs regardless of breed. Individual dogs may be designated as dangerous or potentially dangerous based on behavior.
Cary Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. § 67-4.1(a), § 67-4.5
"Dangerous dog" means a. A dog that: 1. Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or 2. Is determined by the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors listed in subdivision (2) of this subsection. b. Any dog owned or harbored p...
Beekeeping
The Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina allows residential beekeeping as an accessory use with a town permit: up to five hives per lot, each set at least 10 feet from property lines with an on-site water source closer to the hive than any neighbor's.
Cary, NC Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsCary Land Development Ordinance § 5.3.4(O)
(1) General Requirements (a) The maximum number of hives allowed shall be five hives on a single parcel. (b) No hive shall be established or kept within ten (10) feet of a property line. (c) Hives shall be placed at ground level or securely attached to an anchor or stand. (d) A constant and adequate on-site source of fresh water shall be provided... (e) An accessory use permit must be secured i...
Exotic Pets
The Town of Cary requires a valid federal or state permit plus secure confinement or restraint before anyone may keep an exotic or wild animal within town limits in Wake County, North Carolina.
Cary Exotic and Wild Animal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 6-63(b)
Permit required to own; confinement and control. It shall be unlawful for any owner of any exotic or wild animal to keep or maintain any such animal within the town unless any required federal and/or state permits have been obtained and are currently valid ... and the animal is: (1) Confined within a humane and secure enclosure, as approved by the animal control officer, in accordance with huma...
Pet Limits
The Town of Cary treats animals kept in excessive numbers or in ways offensive or dangerous to public health as a nuisance, subject to a written complaint and abatement process in Wake County, North Carolina.
Cary Nuisance Animal and Hoarding Rule
Some RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 6-71(a)(10)
Prohibited generally; exceptions. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain an animal in such a manner as to unreasonably annoy humans, endanger the life or health of persons or other animals, or substantially interfere with the rights of citizens ... the following activities are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and are, therefore, unlawful: ... (10) B...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Cary's Land Development Ordinance bars veterinary hospitals and offices from keeping kennels outside the principal building, and requires any outdoor yard area to be enclosed by an eight-foot solid fence or masonry wall.
Cary Veterinary Hospital Outdoor Kennel Rules
Significant RestrictionsCary Land Development Ordinance § 5.2.3(O)
(1) No kennel shall be maintained outside of the principal building. (2) Where outdoor enclosed yard area is provided, such yard area shall be enclosed by a solid, decorative fence or masonry wall at least eight (8) feet in height. (3) The animal hospital structure shall be insulated and soundproofed, in order to minimize all loud and disturbing noises that might disturb those persons in adjoin...
Bird Protection
The Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina has designated all land within its corporate limits, plus town-owned property outside those limits, as a bird sanctuary under state law, making it illegal to trap, hunt, shoot, or kill native wild birds there.
Cary, NC Bird Sanctuary Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsCary Code of Ordinances § 6-60
(a) Town designated as sanctuary. The area within the corporate limits of the town and all land owned or leased by the town outside the corporate limits is hereby designated as a bird sanctuary, as authorized by G.S. 160A-188. (b) Unlawful to trap, etc. It shall be unlawful intentionally to trap, hunt, shoot, or otherwise kill, within the sanctuary hereby established, any native wild bird, exce...
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cary city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Wake County →