Smyrna, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 14-11 makes it unlawful for an owner to let an animal be out of immediate control and restraint, to leave it unattended off the premises, or to let it onto another person's property without permission. Condominium and apartment common property is not treated as the owner's premises, and voice control does not constitute control.

On the owner's own premises, animals must be kept indoors or in a primary enclosure that contains the animal within the owner's bounds, or on a leash in the hands of a person able to restrain it. Tethering as a means of primary enclosure is not permitted, and it is unlawful to chain, tie or fasten a dog to a stationary object or pulley run as confinement, except a temporary tether while the owner attends the dog. Off the premises, the six foot limit applies. The chapter defines a tether as any chain, rope, leash, tie out or wire attached to the animal and a stationary object and requires any tether to be a minimum of ten feet in length. Restraint means complete and immediate control by a physical device under the direct supervision of a competent person, and running at large means any domestic animal not under the control and restraint of the owner or the owner's designee.

There is an exception in agriculturally zoned areas for dogs used for hunting or working, provided the owner has the dog in possession or control and carries a valid hunting license when hunting. No one can tie or stake an animal in any street, alley, sidewalk, right-of-way or other public place, and a female dog or cat in heat must be confined away from intact males. Under § 14-66 an animal found running at large is taken and impounded at the animal shelter, and any person can take one into custody and deliver it there without fee, or house it for five business days while trying to find the owner. CCAC must phone the owner within 24 hours of impoundment when the animal carries identification, then send certified mail if it cannot reach the owner. Section 14-138 requires owners to pick up and bag their dog's feces off their own property.