| Are chickens allowed in Wilmington? | Yes (on lots of at least 15,000 square feet) |
| How many chickens can you have? | At most 5 |
| Can you have roosters in Wilmington? | No |
| Chicken coop placement rules: | At least 10 feet from nearby property lines 25 feet from another residence |
| Application process: | Permit required |
| More information: | Wilmington City Code |
Fascinated by the prospect of poultry farming in Wilmington? Discover the rules you need to know before you set out on your chicken keeping venture:
- The city of Wilmington, North Carolina, allows residents to keep backyard chickens.
- At most 5 female chickens are allowed per property owner. There is no discounting for chicks.
- It is unlawful to keep roosters in Wilmington.
- Chickens are not allowed to be kept in the front yard.
- Chickens must be contained in a secure, fenced enclosure at all times.
- The enclosure must be kept clean, sanitary, and free from excrement and objectionable odor accumulations.
- The enclosure must be located at least 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from another residence.
- It must also have a minimum of 10 square feet of area for each chicken.
- Permit Requirements: A person may only keep chickens in Wilmington with a permit.
Backyard chicken rules in cities may be subject to change, underscoring the significance of contacting Wilmington officials for the most up-to-date information.
Start Raising Chickens
See other North Carolina chicken ordinances.
Last updated: 4/25/24