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Animal Ordinances in Jacksonville, NC (2026)

3 verified animal ordinances for Jacksonville, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dog Leash Laws

In the City of Jacksonville, North Carolina, it is unlawful for a dog owner to let the animal off the owner's premises without being on a leash, a rule codified at Sec. 28-308 alongside the city's pet-waste cleanup duty. Because Chapter 28 carries no dollar penalty of its own, violations fall under the Code's general civil penalty of one hundred dollars for each day a violation continues.

Jacksonville NC Dogs At Large Leash Requirement

Some Restrictions

Jacksonville City Code §§ 1-11, 28-308(A)(1)(a)

In addition to any other penalty outlined within our Code of Ordinances, any act constituting a violation of the provisions within this Code of Ordinances or a failure to comply with any of its requirements shall also subject the offender to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each day the violation continues. ... Dogs At Large Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of ...

Exotic Pets

In the City of Jacksonville, North Carolina, it is unlawful to possess or harbor any nondomestic animal that is dangerous, or has the potential to be dangerous, to people or property. City Code Section 4-76 exempts traveling zoos, circuses and other limited-duration commercial exhibits, plus small native wildlife species the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has specifically permitted. A conviction is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Jacksonville Bans Dangerous Nondomestic Animals

Heavy Restrictions

Jacksonville City Code § 4-76

Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to possess or harbor any nondomestic animal or animals in the City of Jacksonville, N.C., which are dangerous to persons or property or which have the potential of being dangerous to persons or property. This article shall not apply to traveling zoos, petting zoos, circuses, or other traveling commercial animal...

Bird Protection

The entire City of Jacksonville, North Carolina is designated a bird sanctuary under City Code Section 4-90. It is unlawful to hunt, kill, maim, injure, trap or otherwise take any bird within city limits, or to destroy, rob or molest a nest, egg or breeding place, except for birds classified as agricultural pests under state law or takings a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission permit authorizes.

Jacksonville Citywide Bird Sanctuary Law

Heavy Restrictions

Jacksonville City Code § 4-90

(a)The territory embraced within the corporate limits of the city shall be a bird sanctuary.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, kill, maim, injure, trap or otherwise take any birds in the city or to destroy, rob or molest the eggs or nests and breeding places of any birds within the city; provided, that this section does not protect any bird classified as a pest under G.S. ch. 113, ...