Keeping chickens in North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma

We’ve compiled a list of major cities and their chicken keeping laws in North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Laws are always subject to change, so be sure to visit your city’s website or zoning office to obtain the most up to date information. And, even if you don’t live within city limits, you may be subject to county laws. If you don’t see your city or county of residence listed, contact your appropriate office to verify if there are laws that apply to keeping chickens.

North Carolina

Most cities in North Carolina allow backyard chickens. Flock size is largely dependent on lot size, and roosters are usually not permitted.

Cary - minimum lot size of 6,000sqft, and number of hens depends on zoning; no roosters; permit required for some zones
Charlotte - up to 20 chickens; permit required
Concord - no chickens allowed
Durham - up to 10 hens; no roosters; a permit may be required
Fayetteville - up to 10 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
Greensboro - some districts allow chickens, but have a 7,000sqft lot minimum; up to 20 hens depending on lot size, no roosters; a permit may be required
High Point - up to 5 hens; no roosters; a permit may be required
Raleigh - no official limit; permit may be required
Wilmington - up to 5 hens; no roosters; permit required
Winston-Salem - up to 5 hens; no roosters; permit may be required

Close up of chickens inside large Omlet Walk In Run with feeders and drinkers in North Carolina.

Omlet’s wide range of chicken products makes keeping chickens a breeze.

North Dakota

One of the least chicken-friendly states, North Dakota has a few cities that allow chickens, but many do not. Check your city’s office for the most recent laws and zoning ordinances.

Bismarck - no chickens allowed
Devils Lake - no chickens allowed
Dickinson - no chickens allowed
Fargo - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit required
Grand Forks - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
Mandan - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit required
Minot - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit required
Wahpeton - no chickens allowed
West Fargo - no chickens allowed

Ohio

Ohio’s city laws vary, but most cities allow chickens. Permits are required in most cities, and roosters are widely not allowed.

Akron - no official limit; roosters are likely not allowed; permit may be required
Cincinnati - up to 24 chickens depending on lot size; permit may be required
Cleveland - 1 hen per 800sqft of lot space; no roosters; permit required
Columbus - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit required
Dayton - no official limit; no roosters; permit may be required
Elyria -no official limit; no roosters; permit may be required
Kettering - no chickens allowed
Lorrain - no chickens allowed
Toledo - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required

Boy running next to Eglu Cube chicken coop with spacious run in backyard in Ohio.

The Eglu Cube coop gives your chickens a secure space to roam.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma welcomes backyard chickens in cities, with every city on our list allowing flocks. Sizes and criteria vary, so be sure to read up on the most recent laws, or call your city’s office.

Broken Arrow - no official limit; no roosters; permit may be required
Edmond - up to 30 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit may be required
Enid - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
Lawton - up to 12 hens; no roosters; permit required
Midwest City - lots must be at least 12,000sqft; up to 12 hens on lots this size, but more allowed for larger lots ; no roosters; permit required
Moore - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
Norman - up tp 4 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
Oklahoma City - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
Stillwater - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
Tulsa - up to 6 hens and 14 chicks; roosters require a permit

Omlet and your flock

With sanitary chicken coops in alignment with state recommendations, we’ve got the setups you need to have a thriving backyard flock in compliance with your city. Our mobile chicken coops and walk in chicken runs make it easy to create your hen’s home within the parameters set forth in your area.

Eglu Cube chicken coop designed by Omlet

Customer Images

Comments

Adam, 23 October 2023

I think this is old information. Cary, North Carolina allows chickens. A maximum of 5 hens. No roosters. Must be kept in an enclosure (no TRUE free-range - into neighboring yards). Coops must be behind home and not closer to your neighbor's home than yours. Also there is a one-time $50 start-up fee. This goes for bees too...

Fifi, 13 May 2023

Can you tell me if Rahway allows chicken? I have been reaching for months.

Misty, 31 January 2023

How do I find out what I can have with the rules/regulations in my area! I cannot find anything in chickens. I’m in Marion Ohio. Thanks

Jaleh, 13 September 2022

9/13/22 Recently (in the past couple of months) I called the town of Boone, NC to inquire about keeping chickens in the town limits, and I was told there was a limit of 6 hens, and roosters are not allowed. (Of course if you're in a subdivision you have to check with their covenants.) I noticed this information differs than what is shown on your list.

Harrison, 16 May 2022

Only 4 chickens in Belmont NC