Acworth, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 14-15 permits goats, miniature pigs and backyard chickens inside Acworth's corporate limits as long as the property meets specific standards, with no separate permit application described in the section itself. Goats can't exceed 24 inches at the withers or 80 pounds, capped at two per property. Miniature pigs can't exceed 22 inches or 125 pounds, also capped at two per property. 01 acres tops out at twelve. Roosters and crowing hens are banned outright regardless of lot size, which rules out breeding on-site. Every coop and fenced enclosure has to sit back at least ten feet from all property lines and no less than 25 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent property, has to be covered, and coops and feed have to stay secured against mice and other pests.

Slaughtering any animal on the property is banned under subsection (d). A property found with more animals than the section allows, or animals that aren't cared for, contained or kept clean as required, can be cited and ordered to remove the excess animals or bring their care into compliance. Get cited more than three times in a single 365-day rolling period and the municipal court can bar that property owner or resident from keeping any of these animals at all for up to a year, on top of whatever fine is imposed.