Spalding County, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Household limit
- 4 dogs and cats combined without a kennel license
- Applies to
- Tracts of 2 acres or less only
- Exemption
- Licensed rescue groups, kennels, pet shops, vet clinics
- Litter grace period
- Up to 6 months with a dealer's license
- Enforcing agency
- Spalding County Animal Control Department
- Penalty structure
- Sec. 12-1017; each day is a separate offense
Summary
In unincorporated Spalding County, no one may keep, harbor or control more than four dogs and cats combined on a single property without a kennel license, per County Code Section 12-1006. The cap applies only to tracts of two acres or less and only to animals kept outside the residence; commercially licensed kennels, pet shops, veterinary clinics and certified rescue groups are exempt.
(a)Other than any state or county certified rescue group or organization, commercially licensed kennels, pet shops, veterinary clinics or hospitals, no person shall keep, harbor, or knowingly permit to remain on or about his premises or under his or her control more than four (4) dogs or cats or more than a combination of four (4) dogs and cats. Provided, however, that with a dealer's license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, a person may exceed this limit for not more than six (6) months after the birth of a litter of puppies or kittens.(b)This section shall apply only to tracts of real property that are two (2) acres or less in size.(c)This section applies only to dogs or cats kept outside a residence.
Full Breakdown
Spalding County Code Section 12-1006 limits any person on a single property to a combined total of four dogs and cats without a kennel license, unless the household is a state- or county-certified rescue group, a commercially licensed kennel or pet shop, or a veterinary clinic or hospital. The section allows a narrow, time-limited exception: someone holding a dealer's license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture may exceed the four-animal cap for up to six months after a litter of puppies or kittens is born.
Two limiting clauses narrow the cap's reach considerably. Subsection (b) confines the rule to tracts of real property that are two acres or less, so larger unincorporated parcels are not subject to this particular section. Subsection (c) further limits the cap to dogs or cats kept outside a residence, meaning animals housed entirely indoors do not count toward the four-animal limit, though vaccination, restraint and sanitation duties under other sections of Chapter 1 still apply to them. Anyone wanting to keep more animals commercially, such as a hobby breeder or boarding operation, must instead obtain an animal-establishment license under Section 12-1014.
The Spalding County Animal Control Department, led by the animal shelter supervisor under Section 12-1003, investigates complaints and issues citations for exceeding the household cap, with the Sheriff's Office authorized to assist in enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Violating the four-animal cap is enforced by the Spalding County Animal Control Department under Section 12-1003, whose officers and deputies, along with the Sheriff's Office, may issue citations. Under Section 12-1017, each day the excess animals remain on the property counts as a separate offense, and conviction carries a fine or imprisonment as prescribed by Georgia law and Code Section 1-1007; violators must also correct the violation within the time the court sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep more than four dogs or cats in unincorporated Spalding County?
Does the four-animal limit apply if my pets stay indoors?
What happens if a litter of puppies pushes me over the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spalding County
Compare Spalding County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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