high point nc

I was told byt he city that you must have at least 2 acres in order to have chickes. Can that be right? What I read on the internet said nothing about that. It took me forever to even get anyone to answer my question at the city office. I would like to call back and question what they told me but I'm just nto sure what to do.

I have learned one thing about laws and ordinances; find the text and read it yourself. Going by what others say is a recipe for disaster. The law is what is says, not what others wish it meant. Make sure that you are reading the laws that apply to your area. Close by is not the same. If you live in the city, the city and county will have jurisdiction. If you are in the county, only the county laws apply. If you live in a neighborhood under the management of a HOA (homeowners association) those rules will apply as well.

Chris

High point changed the laws in October of 2014. Here is the current ordinance:


Sec. 12-2-2 - Requirements of pens and enclosures for chickens, pigeons, rabbits, etc. Modified
· (a)
The maintenance of any chicken house, chicken yard, pen or other enclosure ("enclosure") in which chickens, or other fowl, pigeons, rabbits or other small animals are kept in a manner as to produce obnoxious odors or which is or may become a breeding place for flies is hereby prohibited. This subsection shall not prohibit the keeping of such animals in sanitary conditions that remain in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep enclosures for fowl and/or small animals under this section within 40 feet of any dwelling house or structure used as a dwelling house, unless the house or structure is occupied by the owner of the animal or fowl.
(c)
The keeping of chickens under this section shall be limited to hens and the keeping male chickens (roosters) shall be prohibited. A maximum of five (5) chickens may be kept per dwelling house and in no event shall the keeping of any animals under this section be allowed for any multifamily dwelling structures.
(d)
Any enclosure under this section must be located in the back yard of the dwelling house and must be of sufficient height and material as to prevent the animals from leaving the enclosure and prevent predators or rodents from entering the enclosure. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the dwelling house keeping the chickens to ensure that the enclosure is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. All enclosures under this section must be physically separate from the dwelling house.
(e)
Keeping chickens under this section shall be for personal use only. No commercial sale of chickens or chicken products, including eggs, is allowed under this section. The slaughtering of chickens on the premises is also prohibited.
(f)
The prohibitions of this section shall not apply to any agricultural or rural zoning districts as described in the City of High Point's development ordinance.
(Ord. No. 7097/14-76, § 1, 9-15-14)