Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Raleigh requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Raleigh City Code Sec. 12-3011(b) and. The set ticket for a first offense is $100, and $150 for a repeat.
What the Raleigh ordinance says
| Ordinance | Raleigh City Code Sec. 12-3011(b) and (c) (Dogs at large; defecation on streets and private property); penalties in Sec. 12-3069 |
|---|---|
| Fine | $100 |
| Repeat offense | $150 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
Civil penalty schedule for the Animals chapter, Sec. 12-3069(b): $100 first violation; $150 for a second violation within twelve months; $250 for a third within twelve months; $500 for the fourth and subsequent violations. Sec. 12-3011(d) also makes a violation a misdemeanor and refers to civil penalties "pursuant to Sec. 14-1005"; Sec. 14-1005(c) sets a $250 default civil penalty only "Unless the Code provides otherwise," and the chapter-specific schedule in Sec. 12-3069(b) provides otherwise. Criminal fine: up to $500 (Sec. 12-3069(a)).
The carry rule
Sec. 12-3011 requires removal only; no carry requirement in Chapter 3 or in the Parks chapter (Part 9, Chapter 2).
Service animals
Sec. 12-3011 contains no guide or service dog exemption; no such exemption was found in the Animals chapter.
How Raleigh compares
At $100, the Raleigh ticket is higher than Charlotte ($50), and the same as Greensboro.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
North Carolina dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Charlotte dog poop law · Greensboro dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Raleigh municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
