Animal Ordinances in Greensboro, NC (2026)
17 verified animal ordinances for Greensboro, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Greensboro LDO Sec. 30-5-2.63 allows hens in RS/RM zones without a permit. Under 7,000 sq ft: none. 7-12K sq ft: 4 hens. Over 12K: up to 20. No roosters. Setbacks required.
Greensboro Chicken & Poultry Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Greensboro prohibits dogs at large on public property under Guilford County Sec. 5-9. Dogs may be loose on private property with owner permission. Animal Control enforces.
Greensboro Dog Leash & At-Large Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Greensboro follows NC dangerous dog law (N.C.G.S. 67-4.1), behavior-based not breed-based. No BSL in effect. Dangerous dogs must be leashed and muzzled off property.
Greensboro Dog Breed Restrictions & Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 67-4.1, 67-4.2, 67-4.4, 67-4.5
Article 1A. Dangerous Dogs. § 67-4.1. Definitions and procedures. (a) As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise and except as modified in subsection (b) of this section, the term: (1) "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 mu...
Beekeeping
Greensboro LDO Sec. 30-8-11.3 allows beekeeping. Hives must be 50+ ft from property lines. Max one colony per 1,500 sq ft, up to 10 colonies total.
Greensboro Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. Ch. 106, Art. 55 (Beekeeping Regulations)
seases and disorders and to provide regulatory services in the areas of pollination of plants, honeybee poisonings, thefts, bee management and marketing. (1977, c. 238, s. 1.) 106-635. Definitions. As used in this Article: (1) The term "apiary" means bees, comb, hives, appliances, or colonies, wherever they are kept, located, or found. (2) The term "bee(s)" means insects of the superfamily Apoi...
Exotic Pets
Guilford County Sec. 5-11 and 5-26 regulate exotic animals in Greensboro. Bears, lions, tigers, wolves prohibited. Other exotics need a free Animal Control permit.
Greensboro Exotic Pet & Inherently Dangerous Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-416, 14-417, 14-417.1
Article 55. Regulation of Certain Reptiles. § 14-416. Mishandling of certain reptiles declared public nuisance and criminal offense. The intentional or negligent exposure of other human beings to unsafe contact with venomous reptiles, large constricting snakes, or crocodilians is essentially dangerous and injurious and detrimental to public health, safety and welfare, and is therefore declared ...
Wildlife Feeding
Greensboro has no standalone wildlife feeding ban. Guilford County Sec. 5-10 covers nuisances from feeding that creates safety or sanitation issues. NC wildlife laws apply.
Greensboro Wildlife Feeding Regulations
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Greensboro LDO Sec. 30-8-11.3 permits horses, cows, sheep, goats (not swine) as accessory use. One animal per 3,000 sq ft, 50 ft setback. Fencing required.
Greensboro Livestock Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Greensboro Chapter 5 limits the number of dogs and cats per household and lets Guilford County Animal Services intervene when conditions reach hoarding levels under Chapter 5 health provisions.
Greensboro Animal Hoarding and Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Greensboro Code Chapter 5 caps the number of dogs and cats per residence and requires a kennel permit for households exceeding the standard limit, with enforcement led by Guilford County Animal Services.
Greensboro Household Dog and Cat Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Greensboro and Guilford County require cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies and to wear current tags, with Animal Services enforcing impoundment and rabies-related quarantine rules.
Greensboro Cat Licensing and Rabies
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Greensboro does not impose blanket spay-neuter on owned pets, but Guilford County Animal Services requires sterilization of every adopted animal and charges higher rabies and registration fees for intact dogs and cats.
Greensboro Spay Neuter and Adoption Rules
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Greensboro does not mandate citywide microchipping, but Guilford County Animal Services scans every impounded animal and reduced reclaim fees plus faster owner notification reward microchipped pets returned to Greensboro households.
Greensboro Pet Microchip Reclaim Rules
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Greensboro treats coyotes as urban wildlife, and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, not the city, regulates lethal removal, while Guilford County Animal Services responds only to sick, injured, or aggressive animals.
Greensboro Coyote and Urban Wildlife Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Pet retailers in Greensboro must hold a city business license under Chapter 11, follow Chapter 5 sanitation and humane-care standards, and comply with NC Animal Welfare Act licensing for kennels, dealers, and pet shops.
Greensboro Pet Store and Retail Animal Sales
Some RestrictionsPet Groomer Rules
Greensboro pet groomers operate as standard service businesses needing a Chapter 11 license and LDO-compliant location, but North Carolina does not license groomers separately, so no state professional credential applies.
Greensboro Pet Grooming Business Rules
Few RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in Greensboro are allowed in commercial and certain mixed-use zones under the Land Development Ordinance, with overnight boarding triggering additional standards on noise buffering, odor, and waste disposal.
Greensboro Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsWildlife Rescue Permits
Anyone caring for injured native wildlife in Greensboro must hold a North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitator License from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, since taking wildlife without authorization is illegal under NCGS Chapter 113.