Animal Ordinances in Raleigh, NC (2026)
18 verified animal ordinances for Raleigh, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Raleigh allows residents on lots of 10,000 square feet or more to keep backyard chickens, with limits on number (generally up to 10 hens), setbacks from property lines, and a prohibition on roosters. Other livestock like goats, pigs, and horses are restricted to agricultural zones. Permits and clean coops are required.
Animals: Chickens Livestock
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Raleigh requires dogs to be on a leash no more than 6 feet long whenever off the owner's property, except in designated off-leash dog parks. Dogs must also be under owner control, licensed, and rabies-vaccinated. Violations result in fines, and repeated offenses may lead to impoundment or dangerous-dog proceedings.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Raleigh does not ban specific dog breeds. Instead, North Carolina General Statute §67-4.3 and Raleigh City Code regulate dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs based on behavior. Owners of declared dangerous dogs face strict containment, registration, liability insurance, and muzzle requirements.
Animals: Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 67-4.1, 67-4.5
§ 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 municipal authority responsibl...
Beekeeping
Raleigh allows residential beekeeping on most lots, subject to setback requirements, flyway barriers, and good-management practices recognized by the NC State Beekeepers Association. Registration of hives is required with NCDA under NC Gen Stat §106-132.1. Aggressive colonies must be requeened or removed.
Animals: Beekeeping
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Raleigh banned dangerous wild animals as pets effective Sept 3, 2022 (Ordinance 2022-395, Sec. 12-3004). Prohibited animals include lions, tigers, wolves, non-human primates, medically significant venomous snakes, and crocodilians. $500 civil penalty per animal per day. Animals legally owned before Sept 3, 2022 must be registered.
Raleigh Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
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
Raleigh discourages feeding of wildlife such as deer, raccoons, coyotes, and waterfowl, and prohibits feeding that creates a nuisance or public health hazard. Backyard bird feeding is permitted but must not attract rodents, bears, or other pests. Feeding stray or feral cats is regulated under animal-control rules.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-129
§ 153A-129. Firearms. (a) Except as provided in this section, a county may by ordinance regulate, restrict, or prohibit the discharge of firearms at any time or place except in any of the following instances: (1) When used to take birds or animals pursuant to Chapter 113, Subchapter IV. (2) When used in defense of person or property. (3) When used pursuant to lawful directions of law-enforcemen...
Livestock
Livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs are generally restricted to Raleigh's agricultural or low-density residential zones (R-R, RX) with minimum lot-size requirements. Livestock are prohibited in standard residential districts. All owners must meet state rabies, waste-management, and disease-control rules.
Animals: Livestock
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Raleigh Chapter 6 limits animals per household and authorizes Wake County Animal Control to investigate hoarding complaints. Excessive numbers, unsanitary conditions, or untreated illness can trigger seizure and criminal cruelty charges under NC General Statutes Chapter 14.
Animal Hoarding Investigations and Limits
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Raleigh City Code Chapter 6 caps total dogs and cats per dwelling unit, with additional review required for kennels and shelters. Excess animals require a kennel permit issued through Wake County Animal Services and zoning compliance under the Unified Development Ordinance.
Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Raleigh requires cats four months and older to wear current rabies vaccination tags under Wake County rules. Outdoor cats are not required to be leashed but must not become public nuisances or repeatedly trespass on neighboring property.
Cat Licensing, Rabies, and Outdoor Rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Raleigh does not impose a citywide spay-neuter mandate on owned pets, but Wake County Animal Center requires sterilization of all adopted dogs and cats before release under NCGS §19A-60. Intact-pet owners face higher rabies tag fees.
Spay-Neuter Requirements for Adopted Animals
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Raleigh does not require microchipping of pets, but Wake County Animal Center microchips every adopted animal and uses chip data to reunite strays with owners. Voluntary chipping speeds reclaim and reduces holding fees.
Microchipping for Reclaim and Identification
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Coyotes are present throughout Raleigh and protected as a nongame species under NC Wildlife Resources Commission rules. Residents may not relocate coyotes, but landowners can lawfully take coyotes year-round on their own property under NCGS §113-291.4.
Coyote Encounters and Management Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Pet stores in Raleigh must comply with NC Department of Agriculture animal-welfare licensing under NCGS Chapter 19A and Raleigh zoning rules for retail animal sales. Wake County may also inspect facilities for sanitation and disease control.
Pet Store and Retail Animal Sale Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming businesses in Raleigh operate under standard commercial zoning and business-licensing rules. NC does not require state grooming licensure, but Raleigh code enforces sanitation and animal-welfare standards through Wake County inspections.
Pet Grooming Business Rules
Few RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals are permitted in Raleigh commercial and mixed-use districts under the Unified Development Ordinance, with overnight boarding subject to additional review. Soundproofing and waste-disposal standards apply to mitigate neighborhood impacts.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and NC Wildlife Resources Commission rules protect most native birds in Raleigh from take, harassment, or nest disturbance. Building owners must coordinate with NCWRC before removing active nests during construction.
Migratory Bird and Native Species Protection
Some RestrictionsWildlife Rescue Permits
Possessing or rehabilitating injured wildlife in Raleigh requires a North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitator permit issued by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission under NCGS §113-272.4. Unpermitted possession of native wildlife is unlawful even for rescue purposes.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Raleigh city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Wake County →