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DeKalb County, GA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
DeKalb County Code § 5-9
Who must comply
Classified & convicted-owner animals only
Deadline
30 days of classification order
Registered with
Chip company and police chief
General pets
No countywide microchip mandate

Summary

DeKalb County requires a microchip only for animals classified as dangerous or vicious, or owned by someone convicted of animal abandonment, cruelty, or neglect, not for pets generally.

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

It shall be the duty of every animal owner who has been convicted, in a court of competent jurisdiction, of abandonment, cruelty or neglect of an animal, or who owns a classified animal, to have the animal permanently identified by insertion of a microchip by a licensed veterinarian. Said chip must be registered with the chip parent company and the police chief.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Sec. 5-9 requires a permanent microchip, inserted by a licensed veterinarian and registered with both the chip manufacturer and the police chief, for any animal owner convicted of abandonment, cruelty, or neglect, or who owns a 'classified animal': one a court has declared dangerous or vicious under Sec. 5-10. Classified-animal owners must also complete the chip step within 30 days of the classification order, per Sec. 5-12(b)(1), before the county issues the required annual certificate of registration. General pet owners face no county microchip mandate, though rabies registration under Sec. 5-17 is separately required for dogs, cats, and ferrets three months or older.

Violations & Fines

Failing to microchip a classified animal blocks issuance of the certificate of registration required under Sec. 5-12; the animal may be impounded under Sec. 5-28(b) until requirements are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must every DeKalb County dog have a microchip?
No. Sec. 5-9 only requires it for animals classified dangerous or vicious, or owned by someone convicted of cruelty, neglect, or abandonment.
Where must the microchip be registered?
With the chip manufacturer's parent company and the DeKalb County police chief, per Sec. 5-9.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DeKalb County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsPet Store RulesSignificant RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsBeekeepingSome RestrictionsBird ProtectionHeavy RestrictionsExotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All DeKalb County rules

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