Animal Ordinances in Craven County, NC (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Craven County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Craven County's zoning ordinance (Article III) doesn't apply to property used for bona fide farm purposes, and the code specifically counts raising livestock and poultry as a bona fide farm activity. Keeping chickens, cattle, or other livestock on a genuine farm operation doesn't need a zoning permit, though nonfarm uses of the same property still do.
Farm Livestock Exempt From Craven Zoning
Few RestrictionsCraven County Code ch. 41, art. I, § 601(a)
(a)Bona Fide Farming Exempt from County Zoning. The provisions of Article III of this Chapter shall not affect property used for bona fide farm purposes; provided, however, that this Section does not limit those Articles with respect to the use of farm property for nonfarm purposes. Except as provided in G.S. 106-743.4 for farms that are subject to a conservation agreement under G.S. 106-743.2,...
Dog Leash Laws
Craven County's code does not set a general at-large law for dogs countywide, but it does require a leash no longer than six feet at all times for any dog brought into a county-owned park or recreation area, and bans dogs from athletic fields, picnic shelters, restroom or concession buildings, and playgrounds.
Craven County Leash Rule for Dogs in Parks
Some RestrictionsCraven County Code § 28-1(10)
Dogs must be restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the following areas: on or near athletic fields, picnic shelters, restroom/concession buildings and playgrounds. ... Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. ... In addition to any other penalty provided herein, violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute tre...
Breed Restrictions
Craven County regulates dogs by behavior rather than breed, declaring a dog vicious, dangerous, or potentially dangerous based on unprovoked attacks or attack training. A vicious dog cannot be sold or given away, must wear a muzzle off-property on a leash no longer than four feet, and its owner pays a $500 yearly permit fee.
Craven County Dangerous and Vicious Dog Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCraven County Code §§ 6-119, 6-120
Vicious dog means one which, when unprovoked, inflicts severe injury on a human being. (2)Dangerous dog means: a.One which, when unprovoked, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the animal are off the property of the owner or keeper; or b.One which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing less severe injury than that...
Exotic Pets
Unincorporated Craven County allows big cats, bears, wolves and similar wild and dangerous animals only inside a double enclosure system meeting sheriff-inspected specifications, with violators facing a civil penalty of up to $100 per day. The sheriff inspects the enclosure and charges $10 per inspection.
Craven County Wild and Dangerous Animal Rules
Significant RestrictionsCraven County Code §§ 6-19, 6-20, 6-27, 6-29
Wild and dangerous animals means and includes, but is not limited to, animals of the cat, bear and wolf families, including, but not limited to, mountain lion, cougar, puma, catamount, panther and lions and other members of the cat family, which normally are born and live in a wild habitat, even though such species may be raised and kept in captivity. ... Any person who violates any of the prov...
Cat Rules
Craven County law treats anyone who feeds or shelters a stray cat for 72 hours as its legal owner or keeper, and every cat four months or older must have a current rabies vaccination. Failing to vaccinate is unlawful, and violators face a $25 fine per animal per day.
Craven County Cat Owner and Rabies Vaccination Rules
Some RestrictionsCraven County Code §§ 6-79, 6-86, 6-88
Owner or keeper means a person who allows or encourages a dog and/or cat and any offspring of such animal to remain on property owned, leased, rented or inhabited by the person for a period of 72 hours, by: (1)Providing a food source, whether by the placement of food scraps in an accessible location to said animal or by provision of food stuffs specifically manufactured for the feeding of dogs ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Craven County requires every dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency, such as the county shelter, to be spayed or neutered within 30 days of adoption, funded by a nonrefundable deposit collected at adoption. Puppies and kittens get 30 days from reaching sterilization age instead.
Craven County Shelter Adoption Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsCraven County Code §§ 6-55, 6-56
No dog or cat may be released for adoption from a releasing agency unless the adopting party pays a standard fee at the time of adoption to defray the cost to spay or neuter the animal, which fee shall be treated as a nonrefundable deposit after the first five days of ownership. ... The st ... erilization procedure of an adult dog or cat must be completed within 30 days from the date of adoptio...
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