It is the quintessential "Coastal Carolina" dream: waking up to fresh eggs from your own backyard coop, hitching up the boat sitting in your driveway, and heading out for a day on the Intracoastal Waterway.

For many buyers moving to New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick counties, these lifestyle goals are non-negotiable. However, in our region, the line between "allowed" and "illegal" can change simply by crossing the street.

Before you close on that perfect property in Wilmington or Hampstead, you need to understand the complex web of City vs. County vs. HOA regulations.

The Great "Chicken" Debate

Backyard homesteading is exploding in popularity, but local governments have very specific rules about your feathered friends.

City of Wilmington: You can keep chickens, but with strict limits. The current ordinance allows for up to 5 hens (absolutely no roosters) on residential lots, but you must obtain a permit.

Unincorporated Pender & Onslow: If you are outside city limits—think rural Burgaw or Sneads Ferry—regulations are far looser. In "Rural Agricultural" (RA) zoning, you are generally free to have a larger flock.

The Setback Trap: Even if chickens are legal, their house might not be. Most counties require coops to be set back significantly (often 10–20 feet) from property lines. On a tight lot in Ogden, you might legally own the chicken, but have nowhere legal to put the coop.

The "Boat in the Driveway" Dilemma

In a region known for boating, you would assume parking a center console in your driveway is standard. In many towns, it is actually a code violation.

The "Front Facade" Rule: In Wilmington and many incorporated towns like Leland, you typically cannot park a boat or RV in the "front yard" (the area between the house and the street). It must be parked behind the front plane of the house, often in the backyard or behind a fence.

The Catch: If you have a narrow lot in Forest Hills or a side-load garage, getting a 23-foot boat into the backyard might be physically impossible.

The Right-of-Way Danger: In beach towns like Oak Island and Surf City, parking regulations are aggressively enforced. You generally cannot park a boat trailer on the grassy "right-of-way" near the road. If your tire touches the pavement or the public easement, you risk fines or towing.

The "Unincorporated" Advantage

This is a specific strategy we often use for clients with big toys. By purchasing a home just outside municipal limits (in the "unincorporated" county jurisdiction), you often bypass the strict "front facade" parking rules.

Living in an unincorporated area like Castle Hayne or Scotts Hill can mean the difference between paying $150/month for off-site boat storage or parking it in your own driveway for free.

The Ultimate Veto: The HOA

Here is the hard truth: Municipal zoning is the minimum standard, but an HOA is the maximum law.

The City of Wilmington might say, "Yes, you can have 5 hens." But if your HOA Covenants say, "No poultry or livestock," the HOA wins.

We frequently see buyers check the city website, see that boats are allowed, and assume they are safe. Then they move into a subdivision in Porters Neck, only to receive a violation letter on Day 1 because the neighborhood bylaws prohibit any visible trailers.

Your Next Step

Do not rely on a listing description that says "No City Taxes" to assume you have total freedom. You need to read the specific Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) for that exact neighborhood.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we are experts in listening to your lifestyle needs—whether that’s a coop for fresh eggs or a pad for your 30-foot regulator. We communicate those specific wants into homes that work for you, ensuring you don't end up with a property that forbids the very hobbies you moved here to enjoy. Let’s review the bylaws together before you make an offer.