Atlanta, GA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Skunks
- Banned except pre-1987 pen-raised, permitted
- Foxes
- Banned outright, all regions
- Applies to
- Fulton County portion of Atlanta only
- Wildlife/exotics generally
- Require state/federal permits (§ 18-128)
Summary
Atlanta bans owning skunks and foxes as pets in the Fulton County part of the city, with a narrow permit path for pen-raised skunks and a 1987 grandfather clause.
All skunks, except pen raised skunks, and all foxes from whatever geographic region including Alaska and Canada are forbidden to be purchased, sold, owned, possessed, or harbored. Pen raised skunks and foxes in possession as of July 1, 1987, are grandfathered.(b)Pen raised skunks, other than black and white skunks, may be purchased and kept as pets after securing a permit from the Fulton County Animal Control. The Fulton County Animal Control is responsible for ensuring that purchasers of pen raised skunks are made knowledgeable of the proper care, handling, and confinement. No pet store shall allow the purchase of pen raised skunks without being first presented with the permit issued by the Fulton County Animal Control. (Ord. No. 2017-30(17-O-1033), § 1, 6-14-17)
Full Breakdown
City Code § 18-127 forbids purchasing, selling, owning, possessing, or harboring any skunk (except pen-raised) or any fox, from any region including Alaska and Canada. Pen-raised skunks in possession before July 1, 1987 are grandfathered, and other pen-raised skunks require a permit from Fulton County Animal Control. This article (Ch. 18, Art. IV) governs only the Fulton County portion of Atlanta; the DeKalb County portion runs on the DeKalb County Animal Control Code, incorporated by reference at § 18-61. Separately, § 18-128 requires owners of any wildlife or exotic animal to hold all necessary state and/or federal permits.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Chapter 18 are prosecuted under City Code § 1-8; the animal may be impounded, surrendered, or euthanized, and a court may bar the offender from owning any animal in Atlanta for the sentence term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet fox in Atlanta?
Does the skunk and fox ban apply citywide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle exotic pets.