Augusta-Richmond County, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl running at large
- Banned on streets, parks countywide
- Stock pen permit
- Board of Health approval, Urban Services District
- Livestock at large
- Banned countywide, Sec. 4-1-52
- Livestock impound fee
- $300–$700 by offense number
- Enforcing agency
- Augusta Animal Services Department
Summary
Augusta-Richmond County bans chickens, geese, ducks and other fowl from running loose on streets or in parks, and requires Board of Health permission for stock pens keeping cattle, hogs, sheep or goats inside the Urban Services District.
Sec. 4-1-33: "It shall be unlawful for chickens, geese, ducks or other fowl to run at large upon the streets or in the confines of public or private parks of Augusta-Richmond County." Sec. 4-1-51: "It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, keep or maintain any stock pen...for stock, cattle, hogs, sheep or goats...in the Urban Services District, except by the permission and under the direction of the Board of Health."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Backyard fowl are legal, but Sec. 4-1-33 makes it unlawful for chickens, geese, ducks or other fowl to run at large on streets or in public or private parks anywhere in Augusta-Richmond County. Livestock rules are narrower geographically: Sec. 4-1-51 bans establishing or keeping a stock pen for stock, cattle, hogs, sheep or goats inside the Urban Services District without Board of Health permission and direction, and Sec. 4-1-52 separately bans any livestock running at large or straying onto public roads or another owner's property countywide.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Chapter 4-1 are misdemeanors under Sec. 4-1-61, punishable per the general penalty schedule in Sec. 1-6-1; stray livestock may also be impounded by Animal Services with impound fees up to $700 for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Augusta-Richmond County?
Do I need a permit to keep goats or hogs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Augusta-Richmond County
How Augusta-Richmond County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Augusta-Richmond County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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