Can I keep chickens in Apex, NC?
Yes — Apex allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited. (Apex Code of Ordinances ch. 4 (Animals), Secs. 4-2 and 4-3, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Chapter 4 sets no coop, setback or lot-size standards for fowl. Animal-control conditions such as restraint and sanitation come from the Wake County Animal Control Ordinance, which Apex adopted as its own by ordinance dated April 15, 1994. |
| Code section | Apex Code of Ordinances ch. 4 (Animals), Secs. 4-2 and 4-3 |
Apex bans livestock and male chickens inside town limits but expressly exempts fowl other than male chickens. Hens are therefore allowed and roosters are not. Chapter 4 sets no numeric cap, no permit requirement, and no coop or setback standards.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Apex?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Apex (Apex Code of Ordinances ch. 4 (Animals), Secs. 4-2 and 4-3).
How many chickens can I keep in Apex?
Apex sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Apex?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Apex.
Are roosters allowed in Apex?
No — roosters are prohibited in Apex.
What law covers backyard chickens in Apex?
Apex Code of Ordinances ch. 4 (Animals), Secs. 4-2 and 4-3. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Apex Code of Ordinances ch. 4 (Animals), Secs. 4-2 and 4-3 — read the official code
“Exemptions. The following animals are exempt from this section: (1) Horses; (2) Ponies; (3) Rabbits; and (4) Fowl except male chickens.” source
“Sec. 4-3. - Prohibition of Certain Animals - Livestock and male chickens. The keeping of livestock or male chickens is prohibited within the corporate limits of the town. Livestock includes, but is not limited to, cows, goats, sheep, swine and other similar animals. The following animals are exempt from this sections; Horses, Ponies, Rabbits, Fowl (except for male chickens), and Miniature Pigs.” source
“Livestock and male chickens. The keeping of livestock or male chickens is prohibited within the corporate limits of the town.” source
“The keeping of livestock or male chickens is prohibited within the corporate limits of the town.” source
Last verified August 16, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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