Animal Ordinances in New Hanover County, NC (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Hanover County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
New Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 5-9 bans letting a dog, cat, or ferret run at large off its owner's property anywhere in the unincorporated county. Animal Services officers can impound a loose animal on sight or investigate a complaint, then issue a citation once probable cause of a violation exists.
New Hanover County Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 5-9
(a)It shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog, cat, or ferret to allow it to run at large off the premises of its owner.(b)Upon an animal services officer's observation of a dog, cat, or ferret running at large, or off the premises of its owner and not under the restraint of a competent person, the officer may, at his discretion, impound the dog, cat, or ferret or return it to its owner.(c)Upo...
Breed Restrictions
New Hanover County does not ban specific dog breeds. Article II of Chapter 5 instead lets a two-person board declare an individual dog 'dangerous' or 'potentially dangerous' based on documented bites, attacks, or dog-fighting activity, then imposes confinement, muzzling, and signage requirements under §§ 5-61 through 5-68.
New Hanover County Dangerous Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 5-61
Dangerous dog means: (1)A dog that without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or(2)A dog that is determined by the board designated by the sheriff, as the county authority responsible for animal control, to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors listed under the definition of potentially dangerous dog; or(3)Any dog owned ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
New Hanover County does not impose a blanket spay/neuter mandate on every pet owner. Instead, § 5-27 requires any group, organization, or entity that offers an animal for adoption in the county, including rescues and the county shelter, to provide proof the animal is sterilized before the adoption is completed.
New Hanover County Adoption Sterilization Rule
Light RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 5-27
Any group, organization, or entity offering animals for adoption in New Hanover County must provide proof of sterilization for every animal prior to adoption.
Pet Store Rules
New Hanover County does not require pet stores to sell only shelter animals, but § 5-20 makes it unlawful for anyone to collect a dog or cat in the county for resale, including door-to-door solicitation or setting traps to catch animals for reselling. Anyone who breeds and sells dogs or cats must also hold a county breeding permit under § 5-33.
New Hanover County Pet Resale Collection Ban
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 5-20
It shall be unlawful for any person to collect any dog or cat within the county for the purpose of resale. This shall include, but is not limited to, home solicitations or the setting of traps on any land within the county for the purpose of reselling these animals.
Animal Ordinances by City in New Hanover County
1 cities in New Hanover County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Hanover County ordinances
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