NC · verified 2026-10-21
Cape Carteret, NC
Short answerYes: the Town of Cape Carteret code allows up to 6 birds; roosters are banned; a permit is required, but the code lists no fee; and the hen section sets no numeric setback.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the Town of Cape Carteret corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the Town of Cape Carteret corporate limits only. An HOA or neighborhood covenant can still ban hens. Those private rules are usually not public, so HenCheck does not look them up.
Primary source: Sec. 91.41. - Keeping livestock or poultry.
At a glance
- Hen cap
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Banned
- Permit & fee
- Permit required, fee not listed in the code
- Setback
- No numeric setback in the hen section
Code cite: Sec. 91.41. - Keeping livestock or poultry.
The rule, quoted
Word for word from Sec. 91.41. - Keeping livestock or poultry.
How many hens
“(1) No more than six hens are allowed per single-family parcel in the corporate limits.”
Sec. 91.41. - Keeping livestock or poultry.
Roosters
“Roosters are prohibited.”
Permit and fee
“A zoning permit will be required for the enclosure.”
Setback / screening
No numeric setback in the hen section.
The hen rule sets no coop distance of its own. Check general accessory-structure setbacks with the town before you build.
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared New Bern, NC area list: same stores for every city in this metro.
Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery
Ships live chicks to North Carolina via USPS Priority Mail. Cackle's FAQ lists North Carolina among the states it ships to, with chicks going out Mondays and Wednesdays from February to August and Wednesdays only from August to late October. Order sexed pullets if your city bans roosters or does not address them.
Feed store
Tractor Supply — New Bern (#1636)
New Bern — 3821 Dr ML King Jr Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562. (252) 638-0131. Store page lists livestock feed and farm supplies, including chicken coops, waterers and feeders.
Coop
OverEZ Medium Chicken Coop with Wooden 8 ft Chicken Run
Dimensions: Coop 50¼ in L × 52½ in W × 62¼ in H (includes nesting box), sized by OverEZ for up to 10 chickens; Wooden 8 ft run 8 ft W × 8 ft L × 6 ft 3 in H
Price: Coop $1,699.00 (Classic or Coastal finish; the Farmhouse finish was out of stock); Wooden 8 ft run $1,899.00. Prices as shown on overezchickencoop.com on 2026-10-21. OverEZ lists its smaller 5-chicken coop as out of stock.
The coop footprint is about 4.2 ft × 4.4 ft and the run is 8 ft × 8 ft, so with the coop at the end of the run plan on roughly 8 ft × 12.5 ft. Measure your setback from the cited code before you pick a spot, and check any height limit: the run is 6 ft 3 in tall. OverEZ ships coops and runs by tractor-trailer freight to the end of your driveway; homes on islands or on roads a truck cannot reach may need to pick up at a freight terminal.
Vet
No verified poultry vet yet
We have not confirmed a clinic here that says it treats chickens. Call local vets and ask before you need one.
Verified 2026-10-21 against Sec. 91.41. - Keeping livestock or poultry. at https://library.municode.com/nc/cape_carteret/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT9GERE_CH91AN_LI_S91.41KELIPO. Read the live code before you build or order birds.