Newton County, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Sec. 8-3 defines 'animal establishment' to include a pet dealer, kennel, grooming shop, auction, or performing animal exhibition, and any other facility engaged in handling animals, but excludes licensed veterinarians and veterinary clinics or hospitals. Article IX, Sec. 8-225 governs licensing for every establishment that meets that definition, including a grooming shop: no one may operate an animal establishment without first obtaining a county occupational tax permit and a license from the state, and both must be provided to animal control within 30 days. Animal control has authority to inspect the premises where animals are kept.

Each separate physical location the article regulates counts as its own enterprise and needs its own permit, so a groomer running more than one shop location must permit each one individually. Sec. 8-226 lets animal control report violations to the state, which may revoke the state permit for noncompliance with the chapter or any other applicable regulation, and if the county permit is revoked for cause, animal control must notify the owner of the reasons and the time allowed to remove animals from the premises.

Sec. 8-227 additionally bars an animal establishment, including a grooming shop, from selling, trading or giving away a dog or cat over four months old unless it has been vaccinated, and animal control may inspect the animals themselves as well as the facility to confirm compliance. A groomer also housing animals in a separate private kennel structure must keep that structure at least 100 feet from the nearest property line under Sec. 8-228.