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

Sec. 10-112 splits residential fowl-keeping by zoning district. In AR-1, outside platted non-conforming AR-1 subdivisions, any permitted fowl (chickens, turkeys, guineas, geese, ducks, or pigeons) is allowed by right; AR-2 and AR-3 allow only non-commercial fowl. R-1 lots and platted non-conforming AR-1 subdivisions may keep fowl only as a conditional use limited to four hens and one rooster, and the owner must first obtain a backyard flock permit from development services by filing an application and a plot plan showing the coop's distance from neighboring homes.

Chicken coops must sit at least 150 feet from any occupied residential dwelling under Sec. 10-112(a)(2). Commercial fowl operations are confined to AR-1 land only, and every other zoning district prohibits them. Sec. 10-113 covers horses, mules, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, and swine: commercial and residential keeping of all of them is allowed in AR-1, while AR-2 and AR-3 allow only residential animals under 100 pounds; R-1 and every other district prohibits them entirely. Any AR-zoned parcel keeping these animals needs at least a one-acre lot under Sec.

10-113(a)(3). Housing or enclosures for these animals must stay well-drained and free from accumulations, with excrement disposed of as approved by the county health officer, and horse stables must sit at least 300 feet from any occupied building unless the neighboring owner and the zoning administrator agree in writing to a shorter distance. Animals not otherwise listed are kept at whatever distance the zoning administrator or humane enforcement officer deems reasonable and necessary.