Clayton County, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Classification
- Livestock = 'farm animals'
- Farm threshold
- At least three (3) acres
- Where allowed
- Agricultural-zoned parcels
- Residential lots
- Generally not permitted
- Governing rule
- Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A)
Summary
Horses, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and similar livestock are 'farm animals' under Clayton County zoning. A 'farm' means at least three acres, so livestock is limited to agricultural-zoned parcels, not typical residential lots in this built-up metro county.
Farm animals include, but are not limited to, horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, camels, emu, ostrich, llamas, alpacas, rabbits, mink, fox, buffalo, chickens, turkeys, quail, pheasants, and other animals or fowl of similar characteristics.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104).
Full Breakdown
Clayton County's Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) defines 'farm animals' to include horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, miniature horses and donkeys, camels, emu, ostrich, llamas, alpacas, and similar animals, and defines a 'farm' as an area of at least three acres used for agricultural operations or the production of livestock and poultry. Livestock keeping is therefore controlled by the parcel's zoning district and the three-acre threshold rather than by a per-head cap in the animal chapter. Because Clayton County is densely developed, most residential lots cannot meet the farm definition, so large livestock is generally not permitted on standard suburban lots. Nuisance conditions (odor, waste, escape) are separately abatable, and cities within the county apply their own zoning.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock where zoning does not permit it is a zoning violation enforced by Community Development / code enforcement, generally abated by citation and an order to remove the animals; nuisance conditions may draw additional enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or goat in Clayton County?
Is there a per-animal livestock limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clayton County
How Clayton County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Clayton County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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