Barrow County, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Sec. 89-157(b) of the Unified Development Code sets acreage floors for raising and breeding animals in unincorporated Barrow County. Keeping cattle, poultry and other non-domestic animals, aside from feedlots and hog parlors, requires at least five acres. Feedlots and hog parlors need at least ten acres. Commercial and noncommercial kennels need at least one acre and must be enclosed by a six-foot fence. Outside the agricultural zoning district, any animal kept on a smaller lot needs at least 5,000 square feet of fenced lot area, not counting the footprint of the principal structure, for each animal, unless the property qualifies as a bona fide farm.

Every new structure tied to animal-keeping must also meet the agricultural distancing requirements of Sec. 89-122, which pushes active poultry houses and non-kennel livestock buildings at least 200 feet from a residential property line or zoning district. The same section covers riding stables: they need at least four acres for one horse plus two additional acres for each additional horse, and must meet the same Sec. 89-122 separation requirements. Horse stables with five or more stalls are allowed within an equestrian-oriented subdivision for the common use of residents.