Animal Ordinances in Union County, NC (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Union County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Outside of a bona fide farm, any area in unincorporated Union County where livestock or poultry are housed must sit at least 150 feet back from all lot lines under the Unified Development Ordinance, though that setback drops away where the neighboring lot shares the same owner.
Union County Livestock and Poultry Setback
Some RestrictionsUnion County Unified Development Ordinance § 30.100 (Livestock and Poultry)
Except where livestock or poultry are kept on a bona fide farm that is exempt from regulations under this ordinance or under §35.010-D (2), all areas where livestock or poultry are housed must be set back at least 150 feet from all lot lines. This setback is not required from lot lines abutting a lot that is under the same ownership as the subject lot.
Dog Leash Laws
Union County's animal ordinance defines when a dog is "at large" and requires restraint in specific situations: puppies and kittens four months or younger, female dogs in heat, and any dog that approaches a person off its owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner, under Sec. 6-8 and Sec. 6-100(b).
Union County Dog Restraint and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 6-8
At large. An animal shall be deemed to be at large when it is off the real property of its owner or keeper and not under physical restraint. ... Restraint. Any animal shall be considered under restraint if it is within the real property limits of its owner, or secured by an adequate leash or lead, or confined within a secure enclosure.
Breed Restrictions
Union County doesn't regulate by breed. Instead the chief animal control officer can declare any dog "potentially dangerous" after a bite, attack or fighting history, and owners of a declared dangerous dog must keep it in a secure enclosure, post an 8½-by-11-inch warning sign, and report any escape within 24 hours, under Sec. 6-75.
Union County Dangerous Dog Requirements
Significant RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 6-75(b)
It shall be unlawful to own or keep a dangerous dog unless the following requirements have been met:(1)The owner or keeper shall have a secure enclosure on the owner's or keeper's property where the animal is maintained.(2)The owner or keeper shall display a sign on the owner's or keeper's property warning that there is a dangerous dog on the premises, and said sign must be plainly visible from...
Exotic Pets
Union County bans owning a wild animal that weighs more than 50 pounds outright. Anything at or under that weight must stay in a secure enclosure at all times, and every owner of a wild animal or exotic pet must register it with animal control within ten working days of acquiring it, free of charge, under Sec. 6-78.
Union County Wild Animal and Exotic Pet Rules
Significant RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 6-78(c)-(d)
Because of the inherent danger in maintaining a secure enclosure for large wild animals and in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county, it shall be unlawful to own, keep or possess a wild animal which exceeds 50 pounds in weight. Wild animals and exotic pets which do not exceed 50 pounds shall be maintained at all times in a secure enclosure on the owner's ...
Cat Rules
In unincorporated Union County, it is unlawful for a cat or dog owner to let a female animal in heat go unconfined where she can contact or attract other animals. The county's animal ordinance also exempts cats, unlike dogs, from wearing a rabies tag, though owners must show proof of vaccination on request. Animal control officers enforce both rules.
Union County Cat At-Large Restraint Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 6-73
It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat owner to permit a female dog or cat to remain unconfined during the erotic stage of copulation such that she is in contact with other dogs or cats or attracts other animals; provided that this section shall not be construed to prohibit the intentional breeding of animals within an enclosed area on the premises of the owner of an animal which is being bred.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Union County doesn't require every pet owner to spay or neuter, but anyone adopting a dog or cat from the county animal shelter must sign an adoption contract committing to it. The contract's Phase II veterinary services, labeled "routine spay or neuter, mandatory," must be completed under Sec. 6-156.
Union County Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion County Code of Ordinances § 6-156(a)
Any person adopting a dog or cat from the animal shelter shall be required to enter into an adoption contract with the county whereby the adopting party is required to have his dog or cat spayed or neutered. All adopting parties shall be required to pay an adoption fee in such amount as determined by the county manager, but adopting parties shall not be required to pay any boarding or redemptio...
Pet Groomer Rules
Unincorporated Union County zones dog and cat grooming shops as an Animal Service use under the county's Unified Development Ordinance. A grooming shop stays in that lighter category only if it skips overnight boarding and outdoor runs or kennels; add either and the county reclassifies it.
Union County, NC Pet Grooming Zoning Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion County Unified Development Ordinance § 25.020-2(b)
b. Grooming Grooming of dogs, cats and similar small animals, including dog bathing and clipping salons and pet grooming shops. Grooming does not include overnight boarding or outdoor animal runs or kennels.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Union County's Unified Development Ordinance zones animal hospitals and veterinary clinics as a distinct Animal Service use. A clinic keeps that classification only while it stays indoors; add outdoor animal runs or kennels and the county regulates it as a Boarding or Shelter use instead.
Union County, NC Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion County Unified Development Ordinance § 25.020-2(e)
e. Veterinary Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics. Any veterinary uses that involve outdoor animal runs or kennels are regulated as boarding or shelter uses.
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