Atlanta, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog/cat limit
- 10 per property
- Horse/mule/cow limit
- 5 per property
- Hog/sheep/goat limit
- 10 per property
- Enforcement
- Fulton County Animal Control
- Ag-zoned property
- Cap does not apply
Summary
Atlanta caps how many domestic animals or livestock any property may keep at once: 10 dogs or cats, 5 horses or cows, 10 hogs, sheep, or goats, enforced by Fulton County Animal Control.
(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any domestic animal or livestock except under the following conditions:...(4)Except in the areas zoned for agriculture, the maximum number of domestic animals or livestock that may be kept on any single premises shall not exceed the following (exceptions: licensed veterinary hospitals, commercial kennels, grooming parlors, and public and commercial horse facilities): Horses, mules, asses, cows 5; Sheep, goats 10; Hogs 10; Dogs, cats 10; Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters 75; Chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons or similar fowl 75.
Full Breakdown
Atlanta's animal nuisance code caps how many domestic animals or livestock a single property may keep at one time: 10 dogs or cats, 5 horses, mules, asses, or cows, 10 hogs, 10 sheep or goats, 75 rabbits, guinea pigs, or hamsters, and 75 chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, or similar fowl. The cap does not apply on property zoned for agriculture, or to licensed veterinary hospitals, commercial kennels, grooming parlors, and public or commercial horse facilities. Owners must also keep housing well-drained, free of excrement and odor, and set back the required distance from occupied buildings. Fulton County Animal Control enforces the chapter citywide under Atlanta's contract for animal control services.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more animals than the cap allows is a code violation. Animal control officers may impound the excess animals and issue citations, with cases heard in Fulton County Magistrate Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I legally keep in Atlanta?
Does the animal limit apply on agricultural land?
Who enforces Atlanta's animal-count limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
Compare Atlanta to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle pet limits.