Can I keep chickens in Charlotte, NC?
Yes — Charlotte allows backyard chickens, up to 20 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (3-102, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 20 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($40) |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | Coop/fowl house minimum 18 inches high with 4 sq ft floor area per fowl. Must be confined at all times. Minimum 25 feet from property lines. Daily cleaning required, all droppings in flyproof containers, double-bagged in plastic. |
| Code section | 3-102 |
Charlotte requires an annual $40 city permit to keep chickens or other domestic fowl, issued after an inspection. No more than 20 fowl may be kept per acre, proportionate to lot size, so most residential lots support far fewer than 20. Coops must sit at least 25 feet from any property line and provide 4 square feet per bird.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Charlotte?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Charlotte (3-102).
How many chickens can I keep in Charlotte?
Up to 20 hens. 1 hen per 2,178 sq ft of lot area, max 20.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Charlotte?
Yes — Charlotte requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $40).
Are roosters allowed in Charlotte?
No — roosters are prohibited in Charlotte.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Charlotte?
25 feet minimum. Coop/fowl house minimum 18 inches high with 4 sq ft floor area per fowl. Must be confined at all times. Minimum 25 feet from property lines. Daily cleaning required, all droppings in flyproof containers, double-bagged in plastic.
What law covers backyard chickens in Charlotte?
3-102. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
3-102 — read the official code
“Animals must be confined in a coop, fowl house or rabbit hutch not less than 18 inches in height with a minimum of four square feet of floor area for each fowl. Cleaned daily with droppings in flyproof containers double-bagged in plastic.” source
“No more than 20 such fowl or rabbits shall be kept or maintained per acre. The number of fowl or rabbits should be proportionate to the acreage.” source
“No more than 20 such fowl or rabbits shall be kept or maintained per acre.” source
“The permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and shall be renewed annually. The annual fee for such permit shall be $40.00 per household.” source
Last verified August 2, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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