Fayette County, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Animal limit
- 3 per dwelling, most districts
- Litter exception
- Under 6 months not counted
- A-R district
- No numeric limit
- Enclosure location
- Side/rear yards only, meet setback
- Governing section
- § 110-87
Summary
Homes in most unincorporated Fayette County zoning districts are limited to three animals per dwelling under § 110-87, though a litter under six months old does not count. A-R zoned lots keeping animals for personal use or hobby breeding face no numeric cap.
The number of animals allowed per principal dwelling unit is limited to three in the following zoning districts: EST, C-S, R-85, R-80, R-78, R-75, R-72, R-70, R-55, R-50, R-45, R-40, R-20, DR-15, RMF, MHP, PUD-PRD, PUD-PRL, PUD-PEF, O-I, C-C, C-H, L-C, M-1, M-2, and BTP. One litter of animals of not more than six months of age shall not count toward this limit. The number of animals allowed in the A-R zoning district kept for personal use or hobby breeding is unlimited. A dog house and dog pen/run as regulated in this article and similar open air animal enclosures are allowed in side and rear yards only and shall meet the setbacks of the applicable zoning district.
Full Breakdown
limited to three' across a long list of residential and mixed-use zoning districts: EST, C-S, R-85, R-80, R-78, R-75, R-72, R-70, R-55, R-50, R-45, R-40, R-20, DR-15, RMF, MHP, PUD-PRD, PUD-PRL, PUD-PEF, O-I, C-C, C-H, L-C, M-1, M-2, and BTP. The three-animal cap applies per dwelling, not per household member, and the code carves out one exception: 'One litter of animals of not more than six months of age shall not count toward this limit,' so newborn puppies or kittens do not push a household over the cap while they are still with their mother.
The A-R, Agricultural-Residential district is treated differently: the number of animals kept there for personal use or hobby breeding is unlimited, reflecting the district's rural, farm-oriented zoning purpose. The section also regulates where animal housing can sit: a dog house, dog pen or run, and similar open-air animal enclosures are only allowed in side and rear yards, and must meet the setback for whatever zoning district applies, so an enclosure cannot be placed in a front yard or built up to the property line. title 27, chapter 5.
Violations & Fines
Fayette County Code § 1-7 applies the general penalty to a § 110-87 violation: a fine up to $1,000.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day the excess-animal condition continues counted as a separate offense. Animal Control and Code Enforcement investigate complaints about too many animals at a residence or an improperly located dog house or pen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs and cats can I keep in unincorporated Fayette County?
Where can I put a dog pen or dog house on my property?
Is the three-animal limit per person or per house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayette County
Compare Fayette County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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