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 June 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 allows up to 20 chickens per acre with an annual $40 permit. All fowl must be confined in a secure coop at least 25 feet from property lines. Roosters are prohibited. Daily sanitation and proper manure management are required.
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 0.001 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.” source
“A permit is required. The annual permit fee is $40.00 per household.” source
“Roosters are not allowed in Charlotte, NC.” source
Last verified June 12, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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