Are Chickens Allowed in Rockingham, NC?

BySusan Medlin

If you’re wondering whether you can keep chickens in Rockingham, North Carolina, the current rules are pretty clear: chickens (or backyard poultry) are not allowed within the city limits. However, there are exceptions in the county, and there is often confusion over what is permitted vs. what is prohibited. Below is a full breakdown of the situation, steps you can take, and what to watch out for if you’re hoping this changes.

What the Law Says in Rockingham City

Rockingham’s city ordinances include a chapter on animals (Chapter 94: Animals). In those rules, “keeping of hogs” is specifically prohibited, and there is no section that authorizes chickens or poultry in residential areas. “Livestock or fowl” is generally not allowed in the city when they are not part of a farm or otherwise zoned for agricultural use.

Local chatter by residents indicates that backyard fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) are not permitted in residential yards within the city. Multiple people who have tried finding the relevant ordinance in City Hall or Animal Control have been told the same thing: that poultry is prohibited in city limits. The law does allow for animals kept in agricultural or farm-zoned property, but that is not the same as most residential neighborhoods.

What About Rockingham County?

If your property is outside the city limits, in Rockingham County, the rules are different and often more permissive. The county code includes regulations for poultry, but these typically come with requirements:

  • Meet zoning requirements for agricultural or farm use.
  • Possibly apply for a poultry house permit, depending on scale, location, and nuisance risk.
  • Comply with setbacks, animal health and welfare, and environmental rules (such as waste / manure management).

Why the Rules Are As They Are

Several concerns drive the prohibition in city limits:

  • Noises: Roosters crowing, chickens clucking loudly—these can cause disturbances in denser neighborhoods.
  • Odor & hygiene: Without proper coop design and maintenance, chicken manure can cause smells and attract pests.
  • Zoning: Most city residential zones are not designed to support agricultural uses; coops often violate setback or land-use restrictions.
  • Public health & animal welfare: Regulations help ensure animals are kept properly, reducing risks to other people.

What to Check If You Want Chickens

If you are interested in keeping hens (or small poultry) near Rockingham, here’s a checklist of what to investigate before putting a coop in your yard:

  • Find out whether your property is inside the city limits or in the county. If inside the city, rules are stricter; many residential zones do not allow poultry.
  • Check your zoning classification. Even in county areas, some zones are agricultural (more permissive), others are residential (less permissive).
  • Contact city or county Animal Control / Planning & Zoning to ask for official guidance in writing. Sometimes specific parcels have special permits or exceptions.
  • If county, ask whether you need a permit for a poultry house, what setbacks you must maintain from property lines or dwellings, how much space is required per bird, whether roosters are allowed, and what the coop must include (enclosure, predator-proofing, etc.).
  • Check any Homeowners Association (HOA) or neighborhood covenant rules. Even if the city or county allows chickens, your HOA may ban them.

Possible Future Changes

Some community members have shown interest in changing the city’s rules. There have been conversations and inquiries into permitting chickens under specific conditions (e.g. a small number of hens, enclosed coops, no roosters, maintaining distance from neighbors). If enough people make a case—showing responsible examples, proper coop designs, and managing odor/noise—local council or city staff might consider ordinance amendments or pilot programs.

Pros & Cons for Residents

If chickens were allowed (or once rules change), here are what people generally see as benefits vs. challenges:

  • Pros:
    • Fresh eggs daily, from your own hens.
    • Reduced food waste (many kitchen scraps can be fed to chickens).
    • Good compost material (chicken manure) for gardening.
    • Learning and enjoyment: taking care of animals teaches responsibility and connection to food sources.
  • Challenges:
    • Odor and fly control can be hard if coops aren’t well-built and maintained.
    • Noise from hens (and especially roosters) can provoke neighbor complaints.
    • Risk of attracting pests or predators if feed or coop isn’t secure.
    • Initial cost of coop, fencing, bedding, feed, etc.; ongoing cost of maintenance and healthcare for birds.
    • Possible legal risk if rules are violated (complaints, fines, or orders to remove birds).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep hens in my backyard within Rockingham city limits?

No. Under current ordinances, backyard poultry is not allowed in most city residential areas. “Livestock or fowl” is not permitted unless under agricultural zoning or special exempted areas.

What about roosters?

Even in areas where hens might someday be allowed, roosters are almost always prohibited due to their noise and the objection they tend to trigger among neighbors.

If I live in Rockingham County, can I have chickens?

Possibly yes. County areas have different rules—agricultural zoning, permits for poultry houses, and compliance with health, setback, and animal welfare regulations are typical prerequisites.

Do I need a permit or approval?

If you’re outside the city limits or in a special zone, you may need to apply for a permit, show where your coop will go, confirm setbacks, and prove you will follow sanitation and welfare requirements. If inside the city, rules do not generally allow you to begin with.

Conclusion

Here’s the short version: chickens are not allowed inside Rockingham city limits under current city law. If your property is in the county or in a zone that permits agricultural or farm uses, there’s a better chance you can keep hens—but you’ll need to follow county rules, possibly get a permit, meet coop and setback requirements, and make sure your setup is clean, safe, and not a nuisance. If you want, I can prepare a full 1,200-word HTML guide with pros, coop-design tips, and what to petition the city council for to help change the ordinance.

Special Resource for Chicken Lovers

If you’re preparing for when chickens might one day be allowed, Backyard Eggs: The #1 Guide in the US can help. It includes:

  • Coop building plans and best layouts
  • Odor and noise control methods
  • Routine care for hens and keeping them healthy
  • Predator protection and feeding advice

Get Backyard Eggs Now and be ready when Rockingham allows hens