DeKalb County, GA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone
- West of I-285, unincorporated county
- Prohibited
- Trap, hunt, shoot, molest nests
- Nuisance birds
- Board orders corrective action
- Exemption
- State/federal wildlife agency trapping
Summary
A designated zone of unincorporated DeKalb west of I-285 and near Wesley Chapel Road is a bird sanctuary where trapping, hunting or shooting any bird or nest is banned outright.
The entire portion of the unincorporated county lying between Interstate Highway 285 and the west boundary of the county and all that tract or parcel of land bounded on the north by Rainbow Drive, bounded on the east by Wesley Chapel Road, bounded on the south by Interstate Highway 285 are designated as a bird sanctuary. No person shall trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to shoot any bird or wildfowl, or rob or molest in any manner bird or wildfowl nests in this area.(b)If starlings, feral pigeons or other birds are found in such situations in a particular locality that they constitute a nuisance or a menace to health or property in the opinion of the board of commissioners, the board shall direct the corrective action necessary to reduce or eliminate the problem, to be taken by the proper department of county administration.(c)This action shall not restrict the activities of persons duly authorized by state or federal wildlife agencies to trap birds for banding, scientific or propagating purposes. (Code 1976, § 10-6001)
Full Breakdown
County Code § 16-5 designates the unincorporated area between I-285 and the county's west boundary, plus a Rainbow Drive/Wesley Chapel Road/I-285 tract, as a bird sanctuary. No person may trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to shoot any bird or wildfowl, or rob or molest bird or wildfowl nests there. The county can also order corrective action if starlings, feral pigeons or other birds become a nuisance, and state- or federal-authorized wildlife trapping for banding or science is exempt.
Violations & Fines
Trapping, hunting, shooting at, or disturbing birds or nests inside the designated sanctuary zone is a Code violation subject to citation in DeKalb's court of competent jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot pest birds in my unincorporated DeKalb yard?
Does the bird sanctuary cover all of unincorporated DeKalb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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