Animal Ordinances in Cabarrus County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Cabarrus County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Chickens & Livestock

Unincorporated Cabarrus County allows up to 15 female chickens on lots under five acres, scaled by acreage, but bans roosters outright and requires livestock housing to sit at least 150 feet from any home or property line.

Cabarrus County Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules

Some Restrictions

Cabarrus County Code of Ordinances § 7-3, Items 2-A and 2-B

2-A. Agriculture Including Livestock... a. Minimum Lot Size: Low Density Residential - five acres; Medium Density Residential - five acres. b. Any building housing livestock shall be at least 150 feet from both the nearest building with human inhabitants and the nearest property line. 2-B. Agriculture-Female Chickens (limited number)-Less than 5 acres... Number of Female Chickens Permitted: <1 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

In unincorporated Cabarrus County, running a veterinary hospital, animal shelter or commercial kennel is not allowed by right. County Code of Ordinances Section 8-4(35) lists "Veterinarian, Animal Hospital, Animal Shelter, Commercial Kennel" as a Special Use permitted only in the Agricultural/Open, Countryside Residential, Limited Commercial, General Commercial and Limited Industrial districts, subject to Board of Adjustment review, a 300-foot residential buffer and a 25-animal outdoor boarding cap.

Cabarrus County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules

Significant Restrictions

Cabarrus County Code of Ordinances § 8-4(35)

35. Veterinarian, Animal Hospital, Animal Shelter, Commercial Kennel, Agricultural/Open, Countryside Residential, Limited Commercial, General Commercial and Limited Industrial districts a. Official County Health Alliance approval of water and sewer services provided to the facility must be copied to the office of the Zoning Administrator. b. The minimum distance between the outer edge of any bu...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Cabarrus County ordinances

See every category we cover for Cabarrus County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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