Animal Ordinances in Brunswick County, NC (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Brunswick County's UDO lists poultry and livestock keeping as an 'Agricultural' use, permitted by right only in the RR, C-LD, C-I and I-G districts and not permitted in the R-7500, R-6000, SBR-6000 or MR-3200 residential districts. Private stables for horses and livestock carry a 100-foot animal-area setback from adjacent residential lot lines.
Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules, Brunswick County
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance §§ 5.1.1.A, 5.3.2.D
Animal raising including horses, hogs, cows, sheep, goats, and swine, poultry, rabbits, and other small animals, apiculture, fish hatchery, aquaculture, dairying, personal or commercial animal breeding and development [...] Private stables shall be permitted in accordance with the use tables in Section 5.2, subject to the following:1.A 100-foot separation shall be maintained between the outdoor...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina, owners must keep dogs and other animals on their own property or under restraint at all times. An animal previously deemed at large or that has caused injury must be leashed, chained, fenced or enclosed even on the owner's own land.
Brunswick County, NC Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-3-153
The owner of an animal shall keep the animal on his property or under restraint at all times. Any animal that has been previously deemed by the sheriff as being at large, based upon probable cause, or has previously caused injury to a person or animal, or has displayed vicious tendency, or has been a public nuisance, must be restrained by leash, chain, fence or enclosure by the owner even when ...
Breed Restrictions
Brunswick County, North Carolina regulates dogs by proven behavior, not by breed. A dog is declared dangerous through a sheriff's investigation after it bites, injures or attacks, and the owner then faces mandatory secure enclosure, microchipping, muzzling and posted-sign requirements.
Brunswick County, NC Dangerous Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-3-351
Dangerous dog means: (1)Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting. (2)A dog that: a.Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person resulting in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization; b.Killed or inflicted severe injury upon domestic animal when not o...
Beekeeping
Brunswick County's Unified Development Ordinance treats beekeeping (apiculture) as an agricultural use. The Use Table permits agricultural uses, including apiculture, by right only in the RR (Rural Low Density Residential), C-LD, C-I and I-G districts; it is not permitted in the R-7500, R-6000, SBR-6000 or MR-3200 residential districts. This rule applies only outside Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte and the county's other incorporated towns.
Beekeeping Rules in Unincorporated Brunswick County, NC
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 5.1.1.A
AGRICULTURAL USES Characteristics: Characterized by uses that create or preserve areas intended primarily for the raising of animals and crops, and the secondary industries associated with agricultural production. [...] Animal raising including horses, hogs, cows, sheep, goats, and swine, poultry, rabbits, and other small animals, apiculture, fish hatchery, aquaculture, dairying, personal or co...
Exotic Pets
Brunswick County, North Carolina does not ban exotic pets outright: it requires a $100 annual sheriff-issued permit, insurance or bond, and an inspected secure enclosure before anyone may keep a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile in the unincorporated county.
Brunswick County, NC Wild/Exotic Animal Permit
Significant RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-3-403
Permit. No owner may keep a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile in the county without first obtaining and then maintaining all permits required by the federal government, the state and county. Any non-resident of the county who brings a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile into this county for a period of at least twenty-four (24) hours shall obtain a temporary permit from animal p...
Cat Rules
Brunswick County, North Carolina treats a roaming or nuisance cat as an animal-control violation and gives feral cats a shorter, three-day holding period before a three-person staff panel may approve euthanasia, rather than the standard five-day redemption window.
Brunswick County, NC Feral & Nuisance Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-3-553
A feral cat shall be held for three (3) working days for redemption by a possible owner. If the feral cat is not redeemed within three (3) working days, it may be euthanized pursuant to this chapter. Before a feral cat is euthanized, a panel of three (3) persons must unanimously declare the cat a feral cat. If the panel cannot agree unanimously, the cat must be held for five (5) days.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Brunswick County's UDO allows veterinary clinics, animal hospitals and kennels as a limited use in the RR district, but requires a 300-foot separation between outdoor animal areas and any adjoining residential lot line, plus state licensing through the NC Department of Agriculture.
Veterinary Clinic & Kennel Zoning, Brunswick County
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 5.3.5.U
1.In the RR district, the use shall be permitted as a limited use subject to the standards in this Section.2.A 300-foot separation shall be maintained between the outdoor areas where animals are kept and any property line of any adjacent residential use in a residential district.3.A minimum six-foot high wall shall be installed and maintained between outdoor areas where animals are kept and any...
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