Hall County, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 4.10.200
- Applies to
- Dogs, cats, other domesticated animals
- Nuisance threshold
- 2+ at-large violations in 12 months
- Enforcement
- Hall County Animal Control
- Repeat penalty
- Fine at least double prior conviction
Summary
Hall County makes it unlawful for any owner of a dog, cat or other domesticated animal to let it run at large and not under restraint anywhere in the unincorporated county. Animal Control can impound a loose animal and cite the owner in magistrate court.
It is unlawful for the owner of any domesticated animal or agricultural animal, or anyone having a domesticated animal or agricultural animal in his possession or control, to permit such domesticated animal or agricultural animal to be at large and not under restraint unless said animal is livestock and is maintained in accordance with section 4.10.230 of this chapter. However, on or after January 1, 2010, all hazardous animals shall be maintained in accordance with section 4.10.250D of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
250D. 205's public nuisance animal definition, which flags any animal repeatedly found loose (two or more violations in a 12-month period), one that chases vehicles, bicycles or people, or one found with no tag or microchip identifying the owner; a nuisance animal may be impounded and its owner charged. 200, and the animal is held at the Hall County Animal Shelter. 420. 020, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large citation is a county ordinance violation prosecuted in Hall County Magistrate or State Court under section 4.10.160, punished per the penalty table at section 1.50.020, with each additional day treated as a new offense. A habitual violator (repeat offender) faces a mandatory fine of at least twice the amount of the prior conviction, and courts may condition sentencing on spay/neuter or bar the owner from keeping animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my own unfenced yard in unincorporated Hall County?
What happens if Animal Control picks up my loose dog?
Does the leash law apply to livestock or farm animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hall County
Compare Hall 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.