Rockdale County, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Rockdale County Code § 42-72(6)
- Fewer than 25 fowl
- 100 feet from occupied building
- 25+ fowl
- 1,000 feet from occupied building
- Hogs (4+)
- 900 feet, or 500 feet in A-R zone
- Livestock on small lots
- Barred under 1.5 acres
- Variance option
- County board of health, on health officer recommendation
Summary
Unincorporated Rockdale County allows chickens, horses, cows, goats and hogs under Code § 42-72(6), but housing must sit set distances from any occupied building: 100 feet for fewer than 25 fowl, 1,000 feet for 25 or more, and separate acreage rules bar hogs, cows, goats, mules and horses from small subdivision lots.
(6)Keeping of horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep, goats, hogs, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons or similar fowl or animals except under the following conditions: ... b.Hogs, cows, goats, mules, horses or similar animals shall not be permitted in a residential subdivision, the lots of which contain less than 1½ acres each; 1½ acres to five acres, one each except horses, no more than two horses.c.Any housing or enclosure used for the keeping of such animals or fowl shall be kept at the following minimum distances from any occupied building except the dwelling unit of the owner: Animals Distance 1. Horses, asses, mules, cows, sheep or goats. 100 feet 2. Three hogs or less 500 feet 3. Four hogs or more 900 feet Unless in A-R zoning with a sanitary operation approved by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service 500 feet 4. Four or more dogs 100 feet 5. Five or more rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or similar animals 100 feet 6. Less than 25 fowl 100 feet 7. Twenty-five or more fowl 1,000 feet
Full Breakdown
Section 42-72(6) permits keeping horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep, goats, hogs, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons or similar fowl only under specific conditions. Housing and enclosures must be well drained, free of accumulated excrement and objectionable odors, and kept clean enough that they will not injure the health, safety or comfort of nearby citizens, with excrement disposed of as the health officer approves. 5 and 5 acres may keep one of each, except up to two horses. S. Soil Conservation Service); 100 feet for four or more dogs; 100 feet for five or more rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters; 100 feet for fewer than 25 fowl; and 1,000 feet for 25 or more fowl.
All animals and fowl except dogs where confinement rules do not apply must be kept in an adequate enclosure or tethered. Diseased animals that threaten public health must be isolated or destroyed as the health officer deems necessary. Licensed pet shops, veterinary hospitals, stockyards and poultry houses can seek a variance from the county board of health on the health officer's recommendation. Enforcement runs through the health officer's inspection powers in § 42-73 and the general penalty at § 1-11 via § 42-82.
Violations & Fines
Keeping chickens, fowl or livestock closer than the distances set in § 42-72(6)(c), or on a subdivision lot below the acreage threshold in § 42-72(6)(b), is a violation subject to written correction notice from the health officer and, if uncorrected, the general penalty under Code § 1-11. Unsanitary or improperly enclosed housing is independently actionable as a nuisance under § 42-72.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my neighbor's house do chickens need to be in Rockdale County?
Can I keep a horse on a small lot in unincorporated Rockdale County?
Do I need a permit to keep hogs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
How Rockdale County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Rockdale County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.