Smyrna, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Section 14-135 is a location and permission rule for animal sales, not a ban on retail pet sales. It prohibits selling or giving away animals in front of or on private or public property other than the animal owner's property without the owner's permission. Then it carves out five licensed categories: a licensed rescue group, licensed animal shelter, licensed veterinarian, licensed pet dealer, or licensed humane society. To use the carve-out the seller must hold all required governmental licenses and registrations and have permission from the owner of the business or property. The places listed include retail stores, businesses, flea markets, yard sales and CCAC or municipal property, and the list is stated as not limited to those. The chapter defines licensed as holding a valid Georgia State license, so a store selling animals must hold that state license to qualify.

Other Chapter 14 sections limit what a store can sell. Section 14-14 makes it unlawful to sell skunks, foxes, prairie dogs, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, hybrid wolves, part-wild hybrids, exotic cats or other wildlife without a federal or state agriculture license. Section 14-15 allows ferret sales only where the buyer can be given documentation of spaying or neutering before seven months of age and rabies vaccination. Section 14-66.1(b) makes it a violation to sell or give away an animal when the seller knows the owner and lacks the owner's permission. Section 14-1 also defines an animal mill as an entity that keeps or breeds animals frequently caged for extended periods without adequate care, which frames the standard of care the chapter expects. Displaying animals for adoption or sale is a legal exhibition under § 14-137 if the exhibitor has valid licenses on hand, keeps a licensed veterinarian present or on call, and confines all animals to protect the public and the animals. Sale of animals is defined as a transfer of ownership for money, goods, services or fees.