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Coweta County, GA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

County Role
Refers to GA DNR
Code Sections
§§ 10-3, 10-35
State Permit
Wild Animal License
State Law
O.C.G.A. § 27-5-4
Prohibited
Big cats, primates, bears

Summary

Coweta County does not license exotic pets itself; Code section 10-3 states that wild and exotic animals are not regulated by the Code, and section 10-35 forwards wild-animal matters to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Many species require a state Wild Animal License.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Coweta County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

All complaints and matters concerning wild animals not of a domestic nature and complaints involving game animals or protected species and/or hunting, shall be forwarded to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Game and Fish Division or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Law Enforcement Division, for proper disposition.

Source: Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.)View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40).

Full Breakdown

Coweta County's animal chapter governs domestic animals and expressly leaves wild and exotic animals to the state. Section 10-3 defines wild and exotic animals as untamed animals in their natural habitat and says they are not regulated by the Code, while section 10-35 forwards all wild-animal complaints, except bites, to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Game and Fish Division, or the USDA. Georgia regulates exotic and wild animals through the DNR Wild Animal License and permit system (O.C.G.A. § 27-5-4 et seq.), which prohibits many species, such as large cats, primates, bears, and venomous reptiles, and requires permits and secure caging for those allowed. A resident must satisfy state licensing before keeping any regulated exotic.

Violations & Fines

Keeping a prohibited or unlicensed wild animal violates Georgia DNR law and can bring confiscation, state fines, and criminal charges. The owner is liable for damage caused by an escaped exotic animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep an exotic pet in Coweta County?
Only if Georgia DNR allows it. The state's Wild Animal License system prohibits many species and permits others. The county does not regulate wild or exotic animals itself.
Who handles wildlife problems?
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Game and Fish Division. Coweta County Code section 10-35 forwards wild-animal complaints, except bites, to the state.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Coweta County

All Coweta County rules

Compare Coweta County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview

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