Sandy Springs, GA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 10-1 defines an "exotic animal" as any animal not indigenous to Georgia and not a domestic animal, including hybrids that are part exotic, while "wildlife/fowl" covers animals indigenous to the state that are not domesticated. Section 10-15 states plainly that every owner, custodian, or harborer of a wildlife or exotic animal "must obtain all necessary state and/or federal permits and meet all state and/or federal requirements for keeping such an animal," meaning the city itself does not issue a separate exotic-pet license but conditions lawful possession on holding the outside permits.

Section 10-14 goes further for two specific species: all skunks except pen-raised ones, and all foxes "from whatever geographic region, including Alaska and Canada," are forbidden to be purchased, sold, owned, possessed, or harbored, though animals already possessed as of July 1, 1987 were grandfathered. Non-black-and-white pen-raised skunks may still be kept as pets, but only after the owner secures a permit from the city manager or designee, and pet stores may not sell a pen-raised skunk without first being shown that permit. Section 10-11(a) separately bars owned wildlife and exotic animals from running at large anywhere in the city, and requires anyone transporting such an animal to carry the required state or federal permit on their person.