9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Wake County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Wake County does NOT regulate keeping of farm animals in the unincorporated areas — even in subdivisions. Each Wake municipality has its own rules: Raleigh allows 10 hens (no roosters), Cary allows 4 hens (no roosters), Apex allows 6 hens. Roosters generally prohibited in cities.
Wake County Code §91.07 prohibits owners from permitting any animal to be at large in unincorporated Wake County, and §91.07(C) requires dogs to be on leash at all times in any public park unless the park is designated as a dog park.
Wake County Code §91.07(A)(1), (C)
§ 91.07 ANIMALS AT LARGE. (A)(1) It shall be unlawful for any owner to permit an animal to be at large. … (C) It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any dog to take the dog into or allow the dog to enter any public park without being at all times under the restraint of a leash unless the park is designated as a dog park.
Wake County, NC has no breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, and all other breeds are legal in the unincorporated county. Wake County Code § 91.13 regulates "potentially dangerous" and "dangerous" dogs entirely by individual behavior, not breed. State law N.C. Gen. Stat. § 67-4.1 is similarly breed-neutral. Important caveat: § 67-4.5 of the state statute does NOT preempt local breed-specific ordinances — North Carolina counties and cities CAN legally pass breed bans — but Wake County has chosen not to.
Beekeeping in Wake County is governed primarily by North Carolina state law, not by Wake County. NCGS Chapter 106, Article 55 (Bees and Honey) is administered by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Plant Industry Division Apiary Services program. NC does not require every hobby beekeeper to register, but the NCDA&CS offers a free Apiary Registration Form so inspectors can coordinate disease inspections and notify beekeepers of nearby pesticide spraying. Anyone who sells bees in NC must obtain a state permit ($25) under § 106-639.1, and hives must be kept in movable-frame, inspectable condition under § 106-641.
NC General Statutes Chapter 106, Article 55 (§§ 106-634 et seq.)
It is in the public interest to promote and protect the bee and honey industry in North Carolina (§ 106-634). Prior to selling bees in North Carolina, a person shall obtain a permit from the Commissioner (§ 106-639.1), with a $25 fee; exemptions include sales under 10 hives annually and pollination rentals. Counties cannot prohibit ownership of five or fewer hives, and cities may regulate place...
Wake County Code Ch. 91 (Animals) gives Animal Services authority over exotic and dangerous animals. NC General Statute §14-417 also requires registration of large constrictors and venomous reptiles statewide. Wake County does not separately permit private ownership of inherently dangerous wildlife.
Wake County does not have a county-wide ordinance banning the feeding of wildlife, but feeding that creates a nuisance violates §91.08. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission rules (15A NCAC 10B .0106) prohibit feeding of bears, and the WRC discourages feeding deer and coyotes. Bird feeders and squirrels are not restricted.
Wake County does NOT impose a numeric limit on pets in unincorporated areas. Cities vary: Raleigh allows up to 4 dogs/cats over 4 months per dwelling under §12-3056; Cary §10-3 has similar limits. Excessive numbers may trigger §91.08 nuisance or kennel zoning rules.
Wake County treats cats the same as dogs under Ch. 91 — owners must vaccinate against rabies at 4 months and keep current tag displayed at all times per §91.32 and NCGS §130A-185. Unlike dogs, cats are NOT subject to a leash law and may roam at large.
Wake County does not mandate microchipping. However, Wake County Code §91.32 and NCGS §130A-185 require every dog, cat, and ferret over 4 months old to be vaccinated against rabies and to wear a current rabies tag at all times.
3 cities in Wake County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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