Animal Ordinances in Chatham County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Chatham County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Letting a dog run at large off its owner's property is unlawful anywhere in unincorporated Chatham County. Off-property, an animal must be under a leash, bridle or similar humane restraint controlled by a competent person, and an Animal Services Officer can impound a loose animal on sight.
Chatham County Dogs Running At Large Ban
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code §§ 91.036(A), (D)-(E), 91.001
(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal(s), to allow it to run at large off its owner’s or keeper’s property. ... (D) Animals which, in addition to running at large, create a nuisance shall constitute a separate and additional violation. (E) A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor. ... RESTRAINT OFF OWNER’S PROPERTY. Restriction or control of an an...
Breed Restrictions
Chatham County has no breed-specific ban; its dangerous-animal ordinance is behavior-based. Under County Code §§ 91.090 and 91.092, the Health Director may declare any dog or animal potentially dangerous or dangerous after it bites, attacks, or threatens safety, then order fencing, muzzling, liability insurance, or impoundment regardless of breed.
Chatham County Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsChatham County Code §§ 91.090, 91.092
(A) It is the purpose of this subchapter to supplement G.S. §§ 67-4.1 and 67-4.5 for the control of potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs or other animals. (B) Subject to appeal, an animal determined by the Health Director to be potentially dangerous or dangerous shall be considered and treated in all respects as dangerous. ... (A) The Animal Services Division shall have the authority ...
Exotic Pets
Possessing or harboring a non-domestic animal anywhere in unincorporated Chatham County is unlawful unless the owner conforms to the county's separate Wild and Vicious Animals ordinance. A narrow exception covers USDA-licensed circuses, petting zoos and similar traveling exhibitions; anyone else violating the ban faces a misdemeanor and escalating civil fines.
Chatham County Exotic and Wild Pet Ban
Heavy RestrictionsChatham County Code § 91.009
(A) No person shall possess or harbor any non-domestic animal or animals except in conformity with the “Ordinance Regulating the Keeping of Wild and Vicious Animals Within Chatham County.” (Document posted on the county website) (B) This section shall not apply to bona fide circuses, petting zoos, and other similar commercial animal exhibitions of limited duration which are licensed or regi...
Cat Rules
Chatham County has no separate cat license or feral colony program; instead the code covers cats through its general animal rules. A cat off its owner's property and not restrained can be impounded on an officer's discretion, and any tether used on a cat must meet the same weight, length and collar standards that apply to dogs.
Chatham County Cat At-Large and Tether Rules
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code §§ 91.036(B), 91.021(8)(a)-(c)
(B) Upon an Animal Services Officer’s observation of a dog/cat running at large, or off premises of its owner and not under the physical restraint of a competent person, the officer may, at his or her discretion, impound the dog/cat. ... Tethering a dog or cat who is less than four months of age. (b) Tethering more than one dog or cat to a single tether. (c) Tethering a dog or cat to anything...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Chatham County Animal Services requires every dog or cat leaving its shelter through adoption to be spayed or neutered before the adopter takes custody, under County Code § 91.076(B). The county grants only one exception: a licensed veterinarian's written statement that the animal's health cannot withstand spay/neuter surgery, per § 91.076(C). The rule applies countywide, including unincorporated Chatham County, and is enforced by the Animal Services Division before release.
Chatham County Mandatory Spay/Neuter for Adoptions
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code § 91.076(B)-(C)
(B) All animals adopted from County Animal Services must be sterilized prior to adopter taking custody of animal unless prior approval from the animal shelter manager or Animal Services Director. (C) An adopted animal may be exempt from this provision if the owner furnishes a statement from a licensed veterinarian that the animal, due to health reasons, could not withstand spay/neuter surgery.
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