Backyard Chickens in New Bern, North Carolina

Can you keep chickens in New Bern?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in historic New Bern? Good news: the city's Code of Ordinances allows up to ten chickens per property, with simple rules on setbacks, sanitation, and keeping the peace with neighbors. Here's exactly what New Bern's municipal code requires before your hens move in.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. The City of New Bern expressly permits residents to keep backyard chickens under Chapter 6, “Animals and Animal Control,” of its Code of Ordinances (Ordinance 17-030, § 6-10(e)). Hens are allowed up to a flock cap, roosters are regulated as a potential nuisance rather than outright banned, and chickens must be kept away from neighboring homes.

Specifically, the code states it is unlawful for any person to keep more than ten chickens within the corporate limits, and chickens may not be allowed to run at large.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 10
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 30 ft.

Peggy knows New Bern

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Flock cap: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than ten (10) chickens within the corporate limits of the city (§ 6-10(e)(2)).
Running at large: No person shall allow his or her chickens to run at large within the corporate limits of the city (§ 6-10(e)(1)).
Setback / placement: Chickens must be kept a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the nearest residence other than that of the owner and may not be kept between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street facing walls of a residence (§ 6-10(e)(3)).
Sanitation: All chicken houses and lots must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times (§ 6-10(e)(4)).
No commercial flocks: It shall be unlawful to raise chickens for commercial purposes within the corporate limits of the city (§ 6-10(e)(5)).
Roosters / noisy fowl: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain on any premises or lot within the city any rooster, duck, goose or other such bird or fowl that by loud and habitual crowing, quacking or honking or in any other manner constitutes a public nuisance, and failure to abate such nuisance within two (2) days after written notice to do so from the city manager shall be unlawful (§ 6-10(f)). Roosters are therefore not flatly banned, but a crowing rooster that disturbs neighbors can be declared a nuisance and must be removed/abated within 2 days of written notice.
No separate chicken-keeping permit or fee is listed in Chapter 6; general nuisance, odor, and noise provisions (§ 6-13) still apply to any poultry.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in New Bern

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 8b (Köppen Cfa – Humid Subtropical)

New Bern sits on the Carolina coastal plain. ZIP Code 28562 - New Bern North Carolina is in 2023 USDA Hardiness Zones 8b (15°F to 20°F) and the area has a Koppen-Geiger Cfa humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and an active Atlantic hurricane season. Coop ventilation and shade are more important than cold-weather insulation here, and flocks should be secured against seasonal heavy rain and storm flooding.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxSnakeOpossumCoyote

New Bern backyards, especially those backing up to wooded or marshy areas common in Craven County, face pressure from nocturnal raccoons and opossums raiding coops at night, aerial hawks hunting during the day, and foxes or coyotes that may approach from nearby wooded lots. Rat snakes are also drawn to coops by eggs and chicks. Predator-proof wire (hardware cloth rather than chicken wire), secure locking latches, and a covered run are strongly recommended given the mix of urban and semi-rural habitat around the city.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Easter Egger, Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Black Australorp, Buff Orpington (heat-tolerant, dual-purpose breeds that handle New Bern's humid subtropical summers well)

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

Questions people ask about New Bern

▸How many chickens can I keep in New Bern?

Up to ten (10) chickens are allowed per property within the city limits, per Section 6-10(e)(2) of the Code of Ordinances.

▸Can I keep a rooster in New Bern?

Roosters aren't explicitly banned, but Section 6-10(f) makes a rooster (or duck or goose) that crows, honks, or quacks loudly and habitually a public nuisance, which must be abated within two days of written notice from the city.

▸Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in New Bern?

No permit is required for standard backyard chicken keeping under Chapter 6; the ordinance only imposes permit/fee requirements for dangerous or vicious dogs, not for poultry.

▸How far must my chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?

Chickens must be kept at least 30 feet from the nearest neighboring residence (other than your own) and cannot be placed between the street and the street-facing wall of a house, per Section 6-10(e)(3).

▸Can I sell eggs or meat from my New Bern backyard flock?

No. Section 6-10(e)(5) specifically makes it unlawful to raise chickens for commercial purposes within the city limits, so flocks must be kept for personal/household use only.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with New Bern or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked October 2, 2026.