If you’ve ever dreamed of living at the beach without giving up the charm of a few quirky farm-style pets, Carolina Beach just made that dream a little easier. The town has officially updated its ordinance to allow residents to own miniature goats — giving new meaning to “coastal lifestyle.”
Yep… in Carolina Beach, you can enjoy ocean breezes, sandy toes, and a tiny goat munching grass in your backyard.
What Changed?
The Carolina Beach Town Council recently approved a text amendment that adds domesticated miniature goats to the list of permitted household animals. Until now, the rules only allowed everything from dogs and cats to hamsters, hens, miniature pigs, and a few other small pets — goats were completely off the table.
The new guidelines allow:
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One miniature goat per 2,500 square feet of lot size
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Up to three goats per property
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Optional outdoor shelters (80 sq. ft. if built), but not required
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Noise rules that apply the same way they do for barking dogs or squawking birds
In other words: if you have the space and the interest, your beach bungalow can now come with a tiny, bleating sidekick.
How This Came About
The change began when a resident, who already owned two miniature goats as emotional support animals, learned the town didn’t allow them. After a noise complaint and a violation notice, she took the official route — submitting an application, meeting with the town’s technical committee, and working through the details to create reasonable guidelines.
Her effort paid off. The town staff and council ultimately agreed that miniature goats can fit comfortably into Carolina Beach’s residential character as long as owners maintain good care and respect their neighbors.
Why This Matters for Homebuyers
For buyers exploring Carolina Beach, this update highlights something important about the community: it’s evolving, flexible, and focused on personal property rights.
If you’re looking for a home where you can enjoy coastal living and embrace a slightly unconventional lifestyle, this town is becoming more welcoming to diverse homeowners and their pets — even the four-legged ones who occasionally hop on kitchen tables.
It’s also a reminder that Carolina Beach is not just a fun place to visit; it’s a community constantly shaping itself to fit the needs and personalities of the people who live here.
Beach Life Just Got More Interesting
So if you’re searching for a home where you can enjoy sunsets on the water, a walkable community, and maybe a pint-sized goat named Hazel or Ruby roaming your lawn… Carolina Beach is starting to look like the perfect blend of beach town and backyard homestead.
At Just For Buyers Realty, we help buyers discover the neighborhoods that fit their lifestyle — whether you’re dreaming of salty air, surfboards, or yes, even miniature goats.