Roswell, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Running at large
- Prohibited on streets and others' property
- Off-property control
- Leash or physical restraint required
- Cats
- Expressly exempt from at-large rule
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 60 days jail
- Enforcement
- City code and Fulton County Animal Control
Summary
Roswell, Georgia bans dogs from running at large on streets or on another person's property without permission; off-property, owners must keep dogs on a leash or otherwise under physical control.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, or any person having an animal in his custody, to allow it to run at large unattended on or about the streets and highways of the city, or on the property of another person without permission of the owner of that property or of the person in possession of that property. Such restriction shall not apply to cats.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
City of Roswell Code § 8.1.9 makes it unlawful for an owner or custodian to let an animal run at large unattended on city streets or on another's property without permission; cats are expressly exempt. Section 8.1.11 separately requires that off-property, an animal be kept under control at all times, meaning confined in a vehicle, secured by a leash, or otherwise held by a competent person. City code enforcement and Fulton County Animal Control both have authority to cite violations, and a dog found at large is also a public nuisance under § 8.1.13(a).
Violations & Fines
Violating the leash/at-large rule is a misdemeanor under § 8.1.26, punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or up to 60 days in jail; each day is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard in Roswell, Georgia?
Does Roswell's at-large law apply to cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roswell
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle dog leash laws.