DeKalb County, GA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- DeKalb County Code § 5-15
- Coverage
- Unincorporated DeKalb County only
- Approval needed
- Police chief's prior written approval
- Proof required
- Photographic proof of adequate restraint
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 120 days jail
- Enforcement
- DeKalb County Police Department
Summary
Unincorporated DeKalb County bans owning, keeping or housing a hazardous animal, defined as one that can poison humans or, by size and feeding habits, prey on them, unless the police chief issues prior written approval based on photographic proof of adequate restraint. Cities inside the county enforce their own codes instead.
No person shall own, keep, harbor, house, or permit to be kept, harbored or housed, a hazardous animal within unincorporated DeKalb County, unless granted prior written approval from the police chief. Written approval may be granted upon presentation of photographic proof that the animal will be kept adequately restrained or confined as is common for the species.
Full Breakdown
DeKalb County Code § 5-15 makes it unlawful for anyone to "own, keep, harbor, house, or permit to be kept, harbored or housed, a hazardous animal within unincorporated DeKalb County" without the police chief's prior written approval. The chief may grant that approval only "upon presentation of photographic proof that the animal will be kept adequately restrained or confined as is common for the species," so the burden is on the owner to document containment before acquiring the animal, not after a complaint. Section 5-1 defines a "hazardous animal" as "an animal that may be harmful to humans or other animals by virtue of its ability to produce poison or, due to its size and feeding habits, could prey on humans as a food source," expressly naming "pit vipers (genus Crotalidae), coral snakes (genus Micrurus), poisonous spiders, frogs, large reptiles, Nile monitors, caiman, alligators, crocodiles, and large constricting snakes greater than ten (10) feet in length" as examples.
The rule sits inside Chapter 5's broader animal-control scheme, enforced by DeKalb County Police Department animal enforcement officers rather than a separate wildlife agency. Because Chapter 5 governs only unincorporated territory, a resident of Decatur, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker, Stonecrest, Chamblee, Doraville, Clarkston, Avondale Estates, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, or the sliver of Atlanta inside the county line follows that city's own code, not this section.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a hazardous animal without written approval violates Chapter 5 under Sec. 5-28(a) and is punished under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-10: up to a $1,000 fine, up to 120 days in the county jail, or both, when a citation is personally served, and each day the animal remains unapproved counts as a separate offense. Officers may also impound any animal believed to pose a public threat under Sec. 5-28(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet alligator in unincorporated DeKalb County?
What counts as a "hazardous animal" under DeKalb County's code?
Does this rule apply inside Decatur or Dunwoody?
What happens if I'm caught with an unapproved hazardous animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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