Rockdale County, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Code § 18-12(a) makes it unlawful for a dog's owner, or anyone with possession and control of the dog, to let it "run at large or permit the dog to be out of control unattended on or about the streets, right-of-ways, and/or highways of Rockdale County," in any park not designated off-leash, on the common property of an apartment complex or condominium community, or on another person's property without permission. Section 18-12(b) defines what counts as "under control": the dog must be within its owner's property limits and under immediate supervision, confined in an enclosure, on a leash, at heel, or beside a competent person and obeying commands; a dog left unsecured, unconfined or unattended on its own property is not considered under control and is subject to impoundment.

Section 18-13 adds a companion duty for time spent off the home property: a dog "shall be on a leash and under the control of a competent person while off of its owner's property," covering public areas and parks outside designated off-leash zones, apartment common areas, and other people's property. Exceptions exist for approved off-leash dog shows, agility or similar events under a handler's control, dogs hunting under state law, and police service dogs. Violations fall under Chapter 18's general penalty, § 18-6, tied to the county's Code § 1-11, and a loose or unrestrained dog is also subject to impoundment and redemption fees under § 18-23.