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

(a)There shall be a maximum ratio of one backyard chicken per 5,000 square feet of lot area on any lot less than two acres;(b)Only hens are kept on the property;(c)The backyard chickens shall be kept/maintained within a fenced area to the rear of the house;(d)Coops, or other buildings used for the poultry shall be located at least 25 feet off any property line. Coops are considered an accessory structure and all conditions for accessory structures in that zoning district shall also apply for any coop over 144 square feet;(e)The owner(s) of the poultry shall keep the property maintained in a fashion that eliminates the potential negative effects resulting from the poultry, including but not limited to, odors, pollution, noise, insects, rodents and other wild animals;(f)The backyard chickens shall not cause a nuisance, as defined by state law;(g)The slaughter of any hen on site is prohibited; and(h)This section does not authorize persons to violate applicable restrictive covenants and/or homeowners' association rules and regulations. Property owners are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable restrictive covenants and homeowners' association rules and regulations.(i)The community development director or their designee shall develop an application form for review of these requests. A person seeking to keep and raise chickens in accordance with this section shall first submit a complete application to the community development department.