NC · verified 2026-10-21
Davidson, NC
Short answerYes: the Town of Davidson code allows up to 4 birds; roosters are banned; the cited code does not mention a permit; and the coop setback is 10 ft.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the Town of Davidson corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the Town of Davidson 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. 10-76. - Fowl and rabbits.
At a glance
- Hen cap
- Up to 4 hens
- Roosters
- Banned
- Permit & fee
- Code does not mention a permit
- Setback
- 10 ft
Code cite: Sec. 10-76. - Fowl and rabbits.
The rule, quoted
Word for word from Sec. 10-76. - Fowl and rabbits.
How many hens
“No more than four hens shall be allowed for each single-family lot.”
Sec. 10-76. - Fowl and rabbits.
Roosters
“Roosters are not permitted. b.”
Permit and fee
Code does not mention a permit. Ask the city whether a permit is needed before you buy birds.
Setback / screening
“Chicken coops must be situated at least ten feet from all property lines and the coop and chickens must at all times be located in the backyard of the residence. e.”
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared Charlotte, NC metro 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 — Harrisburg (#2547)
Harrisburg — 5655 Tractor Ln, Harrisburg, NC 28075. (980) 258-0126. 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
Queen City Animal Hospital
Charlotte — 920 Belmont Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. Its avian care page lists backyard pet chickens among the birds it sees and says it may refer advanced cases to an avian or exotic practice. Call (704) 703-1414.
Verified 2026-10-21 against Sec. 10-76. - Fowl and rabbits. at https://library.municode.com/nc/davidson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH10AN_ARTIIIRE_S10-76FORA. Read the live code before you build or order birds.