Backyard Chickens in Burlington, North Carolina

Can you keep chickens in Burlington?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in Burlington, NC? Not so fast — as of late 2026, the City of Burlington still prohibits keeping chickens and other fowl within city limits, though momentum is building for change. Here's what current and prospective flock owners need to know.

Not straightforward

No. As of September 2026, the City of Burlington, North Carolina currently prohibits keeping chickens and other fowl within city limits. The city's own government website confirms: "At present, the City of Burlington prohibits the keeping of fowl within city limits under Burlington City Code Section 6-13." This citywide ban has been in place for years and is actively enforced — in 2023, a Burlington resident was ordered by police to remove his backyard hens or face arrest. The City Council is currently reconsidering this restriction after a 2026 community survey found strong public support for legalizing backyard chickens, and staff have been directed to draft a new ordinance that could come before the council in October or November 2026, but until any such ordinance is formally adopted, keeping chickens anywhere in Burlington city limits (outside agriculturally-zoned land) remains illegal.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Restricted
How many hens: Not Allowed
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: Not specified

Peggy knows Burlington

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Because chickens are currently banned citywide, there are no legal coop, setback, or flock-size rules in effect for residential properties — keeping any fowl (hens or roosters) is unlawful outside land zoned for agricultural use.

What may change: A 2021 draft ordinance (never adopted) proposed allowing up to 4 hens per household, with no roosters, a required coop that was well-ventilated, and covered enclosures attached to the coop. City planning staff have since been reviewing how neighboring jurisdictions regulate flock size, coop placement, and permitting as they draft a new proposal for possible adoption in late 2026. Residents should check BurlingtonNC.gov for the latest status before acquiring any birds.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Burlington

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 7b/8a

Burlington sits in North Carolina's Piedmont region, with a humid subtropical climate featuring hot, humid summers and mild, relatively short winters. This climate is generally well-suited to a wide range of chicken breeds, though summer heat and humidity call for shaded coops and good ventilation, while occasional winter cold snaps mean draft-free housing is still important.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumSnakeCoyote

The Piedmont Triad region is home to raccoons, red and gray foxes, coyotes, opossums, hawks, and rat snakes, all of which can threaten backyard flocks. Secure, predator-proof coops with buried hardware cloth, covered runs, and nightly lock-up are essential wherever chicken-keeping is legally permitted.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Easter Egger, Orpington, Australorp, Leghorn

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Burlington

▸Can I legally keep chickens in Burlington, NC right now?

No. The city's official website states that keeping fowl is currently prohibited within city limits under Burlington City Code Section 6-13.

▸Is Burlington considering changing its chicken ban?

Yes. After a 2026 city survey found that roughly 72% of nearly 1,500 respondents supported allowing backyard chickens, the City Council directed planning staff to draft a new ordinance, which may be considered in an upcoming work session.

▸What happens if I keep chickens in Burlington despite the ban?

Enforcement has occurred in the past — one resident reported that police visited his home in 2023 and ordered him to remove his backyard hens or risk arrest, since keeping fowl violates the current city code.

▸What did the 2021 draft chicken ordinance propose?

A 2021 proposal (which was never adopted after a 3-2 council vote against it) would have allowed up to four hens per household, banned roosters, and required a well-ventilated coop with a covered, attached enclosure.

▸Can I keep chickens just outside Burlington's city limits?

Possibly — nearby Alamance County municipalities and unincorporated areas may have different rules than the City of Burlington, so residents just outside city limits should check with Alamance County zoning or the specific municipality (such as Mebane or Graham) for their local ordinance.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Burlington or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 27, 2026.