Animal Ordinances in Kill Devil Hills, NC (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Kill Devil Hills allows three to six chicken hens (no roosters) per lot as an accessory residential use, but only west of US 158 in specific zoning districts, and bans all other livestock and domestic fowl within 500 feet of another occupied residence.
Backyard Hens in Kill Devil Hills
Some RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 94.25
The raising of chicken hens shall be primarily for the purpose of collecting the eggs produced therefrom; this section shall not be construed to allow for the commercial slaughter or sale of any chicken hens for any purpose. No person shall keep chicken hens within the town in such a manner that a nuisance or public nuisance animal is created. At no time shall "chicken hen or hens" be construed...
Dog Leash Laws
In the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, a dog cannot be off its owner's property unrestrained and under direct control at all times, and a dog riding in the open bed or rear of a vehicle must be secured with a leash, cage or similar restraint, under § 94.10 of the town code.
Kill Devil Hills Dog Restraint Requirement
Some RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 94.10(A), (B)
(A) No person shall allow his dog to be unrestrained at any time that dog is not on the custodian's property and under his direct control. (B) Animal in the rear or open bed of a vehicle must be secured by leash or lead, cage, bridle or similar restraint as defined in this chapter.
Breed Restrictions
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina has no breed-specific ban: § 94.20 lets the Chief of Police individually determine that a dog or other animal is 'dangerous' or 'potentially dangerous' under G.S. § 67-4.1's behavior-based standard, regardless of breed, and the owner can appeal that determination to a three-member Dangerous Animal Appeal Board within three days.
Kill Devil Hills Dangerous Dog Determination
Significant RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 94.20(A), (D)
(A) The Chief of Police is the person designated to determine when a dog or an animal is dangerous or potentially dangerous under the provisions of G.S. § 67-4.1 and to determine when an animal is dangerous or potentially dangerous as defined herein. The Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners shall designate as needed, three members to serve as the Dangerous Animal Appeal Board to hear appea...
Exotic Pets
In the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, owning a wild or exotic animal such as a lion, wolf, venomous reptile or alligator is legal only with a valid federal or state permit, and the owner must notify the town's animal control officer within 24 hours of bringing the animal into town, any attack or bite, or an escape. Unpermitted or improperly confined animals can be confiscated.
Kill Devil Hills Exotic and Wild Animal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 94.07(A), (B), (E)
(A) Generally. ... The owner of any exotic or wild animal shall notify the animal control officer as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 24 hours, after any of the following events: ... (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 federa...
Cat Rules
In the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, every cat over four months old must carry a current rabies inoculation, proven by a metal tag securely fastened to its collar, under § 94.11 of the town code; a cat found in town without that tag is in violation even if it has actually been vaccinated.
Kill Devil Hills Cat Rabies Tag Requirement
Some RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 94.11(A), (C)
(A) Required. ... It shall be unlawful for an owner to fail to provide current inoculation against rabies (hydrophobia) for any dog or cat four months of age or older. A rabies inoculation shall be deemed current for a cat or a dog if two inoculations have been given one year apart and booster doses of rabies vaccine administered every three years thereafter. Such rabies inoculation must be p...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, a veterinary hospital or clinic is not a permitted use everywhere; it is a special use in the Commercial zone under Town Code § 153.177(F), requiring Board of Commissioners approval and Planning Board review before it can operate.
Veterinary Clinics in Kill Devil Hills
Significant RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 153.177(F)
(F) Veterinary hospital/clinic. (1) All pens and kennels shall be located in an enclosed, heated and air conditioned building. (2) Outdoor areas must be enclosed with metal, wood, or masonry fencing. Screening consistent with § 153.073(F)(2)(c) must be provided directly adjacent to the enclosure. Outdoor areas must provide an appropriate setback to any incompatible uses or zones. Vacant p...
Bird Protection
In the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, the entire town is a declared bird sanctuary under § 94.03 of the town code: shooting, destroying or otherwise harming birds anywhere within the corporate limits is prohibited, subject only to the narrow exception in G.S. § 160A-188 for cities acting as sanctuaries under state law.
Kill Devil Hills Town-Wide Bird Sanctuary
Heavy RestrictionsKill Devil Hills Town Code § 94.03
Except as otherwise provided in G.S. § 160A-188, no person shall shoot, destroy, or in any way harm birds within the corporate limits of the town, which is hereby declared to be a bird sanctuary.