An 'Urban-Chicken Movement' in North Carolina

North Carolina city dwellers have taken eating locally to a new level by raising their own chickens for eggs. Controversy ensues.

1 minute read

November 12, 2008, 7:00 AM PST

By Judy Chang


"City ordinances about keeping chickens vary widely across the state. In Cary, they're not allowed except on properties with more than an acre within the town's rural district. In Raleigh, chickens are so accepted that proud owners show off their backyard coops in a springtime tour called the Tour d'Coop.

In May, city officials recently voted to loosen Winston-Salem's ordinance. For $100, people who want chickens or pigeons but who don't have much land can now apply for a special-use permit through the city's planning office. The change was made to accommodate property owners recently annexed into the city. Their lots were too small under the city ordinance to keep poultry.

Without the permit, the ordinance requires a chicken coop to be placed at least 150 feet from all property lines. The average city lot is between 9,000 and 12,000 square feet -- too small to meet those requirements, said Kirk Ericson, a project planner with the city/county planning board. At a minimum, a property owner would need 22,500 square feet of land, or a little more than a half-acre, to make the setback. Practically speaking, a property owner would need more space for their house and, if they wanted chickens, a coop."

Friday, November 7, 2008 in Winston-Salem Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

45 minutes ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA