Animal Ordinances in Surry County, NC (2026)
9 rules for unincorporated Surry County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Surry County Code § 154.008(C)(42) governs livestock production and sales, including livestock sale barns, on land that does not qualify as a bona fide farm: a 75-foot setback from residential and agricultural property, waste management to keep it from spreading to neighbors, and a security fence at least five feet high to keep animals confined.
Non-Farm Livestock Rules in Surry County, NC
Some RestrictionsSurry County Code § 154.008(C)(42)
(42) Livestock production and sales, livestock sale barns (non-bona fide farm). See Permitted Use Table NAICS Classification Number 1114. (a) Site standards. 1. All structures and associated uses, parking areas, loading areas, storage areas, and outdoor assembly areas shall be set back a minimum of 75-feet from all properties used or zoned for residential or agricultural purposes. 2. Livest...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Surry County, a dog is at large under Code § 90.002 whenever it is off its owner's property and not under a competent person's restraint, and § 90.097 sets numeric limits on any tethering used to restrain a dog at home.
Surry County Dog At-Large and Tethering Rules
Some RestrictionsSurry County Code §§ 90.002, 90.097(B)-(C)
AT LARGE. An animal shall be deemed to be AT LARGE when it is off the property of its owner and not under the restraint of a competent person. ... (B) ... Tethering. It shall be unlawful for any person to restrain a dog using a chain, wire or other type of tethering device in a manner prohibited by this subchapter. ... (a) The length of the cable along which the tethering device can move must...
Breed Restrictions
Surry County has no breed-specific ban. Under Code § 90.066, the Public Health Director decides whether a dog is a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog based on documented behavior under G.S. § 67-1A, with appeals heard by the Animal Control Committee.
Surry County Dangerous Dog Determination
Significant RestrictionsSurry County Code §§ 90.066, 90.067(A)
Pursuant to G.S. § 67-4.1(c), the Surry County Public Health Director (hereinafter the “Director”), or his designee, is hereby designated as the person responsible for determining when a dog is a “dangerous dog” or a “potentially dangerous dog” under G.S. § 67-1A. The Animal Control Committee is further designated as the “separate board” as contemplated by G.S. § 67-4.1(c) which shall hear any ...
Exotic Pets
Surry County Code § 90.132(A) makes it unlawful to own, possess, keep, harbor, or bring into the county any inherently dangerous exotic animal, a list that spans big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, and crocodilians, enforced by the Animal Control Department.
Surry County Bans Dangerous Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsSurry County Code § 90.132(A)
(A) It shall be unlawful to own, possess, keep, or harbor, bring into the County, have in one's possession, act as a custodian for, or have custody of an inherently dangerous exotic animal within the County; provided, that the Owner of any inherently dangerous exotic animal as defined in this chapter who owned, possessed, kept or harbored or be fed or be given shelter or refuge within the per...
Cat Rules
Surry County, North Carolina does not license cats, but its Animal Control and Animal Welfare Chapter bars a female cat in heat from roaming at large under § 90.052 and requires every cat over four months old to carry a current rabies vaccination under § 90.115.
Surry County Cat At-Large and Rabies Rules
Some RestrictionsSurry County Code §§ 90.052, 90.115
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control over a female dog or female cat to allow that animal to be at large during its estrous period. ... The owner of every dog and cat over four months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies and shall comply with all of the terms and provisions of G.S. Ch. 130A, Art. 6, part 6 pertaining to ra...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In unincorporated Surry County, North Carolina, any dog or cat adopted out of the Surry County Animal Shelter must be spayed or neutered within a timeframe the Animal Control Officer sets under Code § 90.035(B), with the fee collected at the shelter before a veterinarian performs the surgery. The mandate applies only to shelter adoptions, not to pets never surrendered to the county.
Surry County Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsSurry County Code § 90.035(B)
(B) Spay/neutering. Any animal adopted from the Surry County Animal Shelter shall be spayed/neutered within a timeframe prescribed by the Animal Control Officer. Fees for the spaying/neutering of any animal shall be collected at the shelter prior to spay/neutering by a veterinarian.
Microchipping
Surry County has no blanket pet microchipping law. Code § 90.067(B) requires only that a dog redeemed after a potentially dangerous dog determination be spayed or neutered and fitted with microchip identification within 30 days, and § 90.068(B)(4) requires scanning the chip within 24 hours of the dog's death.
Surry County Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Light RestrictionsSurry County Code §§ 90.067(B)(1)(b), 90.068(B)(4)
It shall be a further express condition of redemption under this division (1) that, within 30 days after redemption, the dog must be spayed or neutered and fitted with microchip identification, at the owner’s expense. ... In the event a dog for which a registration is required under division (A) dies, the owner shall immediately notify the Animal Control Department as to the same and shall, wit...
Pet Groomer Rules
In unincorporated Surry County, North Carolina, a pet grooming business is classified under the zoning code as "pet care without kennels" (NAICS 81291) and is permitted by right in most districts, but the Board of Commissioners' zoning ordinance imposes fixed site setbacks on any outdoor animal containment area tied to the business.
Surry County NC Pet Groomer Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsSurry County Code § 154.008(C)(52)
Pet care without kennels. Site standards. No outdoor containment of animals shall be located less than 250 feet from any residentially zoned property and 50 feet from any other adjacent property line.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In unincorporated Surry County, North Carolina, an animal hospital or veterinary clinic is defined at § 154.003-02 to include grooming, boarding, and pet-supply sales incidental to licensed veterinary treatment. The Table of Permitted Uses allows veterinary services by right only in the county's CB and HB business districts, and any outdoor kennel run must meet the 250-foot residential setback in § 154.008(C)(52)-(53).
Surry County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsSurry County Code § 154.003-02; § 154.008(C)(52)-(53)
ANIMAL HOSPITAL/VETERINARY CLINIC. Any facility used for the purpose of giving licensed medical treatment to animals or pets and any other customarily incidental treatment of the animals, such as grooming, boarding or selling of pet supplies. ... (52) Pet care without kennels. Site standards. No outdoor containment of animals shall be located less than 250 feet from any residentially zoned pr...
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