Coop Ready North Carolina Winston-Salem
Hens allowed
Yes. Winston-Salem allows backyard hens on a typical single-family home lot.
The run must be at least 4 ft tall, wire-covered on all sides and top, with 10 sq ft per bird and lockable self-closing gates. The coop opens only into the run, with 3 sq ft of floor per bird. Manure goes in a sealed bin emptied every 5 days in summer and weekly otherwise.
Hen limit
5 (all fowl combined)
Roosters
Banned
Permit
No (repealed in 2022)
Coop placement
Coop and run in the back yard, at least 20 ft from every neighboring property line
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official Winston-Salem rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Winston-Salem?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Winston-Salem rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Winston-Salem
How many chickens can I have in Winston-Salem?
The hen limit in Winston-Salem: 5 (all fowl combined).
Are roosters allowed in Winston-Salem?
No. All chickens must be hens, and roosters are not allowed.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Winston-Salem?
No. Since August 2022, Winston-Salem no longer requires a permit or neighbor sign-off to keep up to 5 hens.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Winston-Salem?
Where the coop can go in Winston-Salem: coop and run in the back yard, at least 20 ft from every neighboring property line.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Winston-Salem allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More North Carolina cities
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- Concord, NC
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See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Winston-Salem before you build.
