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Coweta County, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Maximum animals
5 (personal, noncommercial)
Land required per large animal
3 acres each
Setback from property line
100 feet
Setback from off-site dwelling
200 feet
Approval required
Conditional use permit, Board of Commissioners
Governing section
Zoning Ord. § 202(1), CC District

Summary

In Coweta County's CC Cedar Creek watershed district, keeping personal pets or livestock is a conditional use capped at five animals, with three acres required per horse, mule, goat, or head of cattle or swine, and a 100-foot setback from property lines, under Zoning and Development Ordinance Sec. 202(1).

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

(1)The keeping of personal (noncommercial and nonboarding) pets and/or livestock numbering not more than five animals, provided that a minimum area of three acres per animal shall be provided for each horse, mule, goat, head of cattle, head of swine, draught animal or similar animal; and provided further that any such activity is located at least 100 feet from all property lines and 200 feet from any off-site residential dwelling, and subject to such additional conditions or limitations as may be specified by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40).

Full Breakdown

The Cedar Creek (CC) zoning district was created to protect the Cedar Creek Reservoir and its watershed from the effects of unrestricted development, and Article 20 regulates land uses there more tightly than in the county's conventional residential districts. Section 202(1) allows a landowner to keep personal, noncommercial pets or livestock, but only as a conditional use approved by the Board of Commissioners after a recommendation from the Board of Zoning Appeals under Article 28's conditional-use procedures, not as a by-right accessory use. The animal count is capped at five, and each large animal, horses, mules, goats, cattle, swine, draught animals, or similar livestock, requires a minimum of three acres of land dedicated to it, meaning a landowner keeping the maximum five animals needs at least 15 acres set aside for that use alone.

The keeping area must sit at least 100 feet from every property line and at least 200 feet from any off-site residential dwelling, buffering neighboring homes from odor, noise, and runoff. The Board of Zoning Appeals can attach additional conditions or limitations to the permit beyond these baseline numbers, such as requiring fencing, manure management, or hours of use, as part of its review. Because this is a conditional use rather than a permitted use, an applicant must file for a conditional use permit, pay the associated fee, and go through the public hearing process before the animals can lawfully be kept; simply moving livestock onto CC-zoned land without that approval does not satisfy the ordinance even if the acreage and setback numbers are otherwise met.

Violations & Fines

Keeping more than five personal pets or livestock animals, providing less than three acres per large animal, or keeping animals closer than 100 feet to a property line or 200 feet to a neighboring residence in the CC district without an approved conditional use permit violates Section 202(1). Coweta County code enforcement can issue a notice of violation and refer the matter to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and unpermitted livestock use can be ordered removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep horses on my property in Coweta County's Cedar Creek district?
Yes, but only up to five personal, noncommercial animals total, and only after obtaining a conditional use permit from the Board of Commissioners. Each horse or similar large animal requires three acres of land, and the keeping area must sit at least 100 feet from every property line.
Do I need a permit to keep a few pets or livestock in the CC district?
Section 202(1) covers noncommercial pets and livestock together under a single five-animal cap and conditional-use requirement; any personal keeping of pets or livestock in the CC watershed district requires a Board of Commissioners-approved conditional use permit, not just a business license.
How close to my neighbor's house can I keep livestock in Cedar Creek?
At least 200 feet. Section 202(1) requires any personal pet or livestock keeping area to sit at least 200 feet from an off-site residential dwelling and at least 100 feet from any property line, regardless of how the acreage-per-animal requirement is met.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Coweta County

All Coweta County rules

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