Animal Ordinances in Atlanta, GA (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Atlanta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Atlanta allows backyard hens and a limited number of small livestock on residential lots. Up to 25 hens are permitted on standard lots with coop setbacks; roosters are prohibited in most residential zones.
Animals: Chickens Livestock
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Atlanta requires dogs to be leashed in public areas. Georgia law O.C.G.A. §4-8-5 addresses dogs at large.
Atlanta Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Atlanta has no breed-specific dog ordinance. Georgia state law (HB 1367 / OCGA §4-8-4) prohibits local governments from banning breeds, instead focusing on dangerous and vicious dog designations based on behavior.
Animals: Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Backyard beekeeping is legal for registered hobbyists. Hives must sit at least 10 ft from property lines or behind a 6-ft flyway barrier, with GDA registration under OCGA §43-52.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Georgia has strict exotic pet laws under OCGA §27-5. Atlanta residents cannot keep big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, wolves, or bears without a state wild animal license.
Animals: Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Atlanta prohibits feeding wildlife that creates a nuisance. Intentional feeding of deer, raccoons, coyotes, or feral hogs is banned under both city nuisance rules and Georgia Department of Natural Resources regulations.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Traditional livestock like cattle, horses, and pigs are restricted to agricultural or large-lot zones that are rare in Atlanta. Most residential zones allow only poultry, rabbits, and dwarf goats.
Animals: Livestock
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Atlanta Code Ch. 6 prohibits keeping animals in conditions causing suffering, including hoarding situations. Fulton County Animal Services and APD investigate cases under both city ordinance and OCGA Title 16 cruelty statutes.
Atlanta Animal Hoarding and Cruelty Provisions
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Atlanta Code Ch. 6 caps the number of dogs and cats per residence to control nuisance and welfare conditions. Households exceeding the cap need a kennel permit and zoning approval through the Office of Buildings.
Atlanta Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Atlanta requires rabies vaccination and tags for owned cats and treats free-roaming felines under nuisance and cruelty provisions. Fulton and DeKalb portions follow respective county registration programs administered through Lifeline Animal Project.
Atlanta Cat Licensing and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Atlanta does not require all owned pets to be spayed or neutered, but every cat or dog adopted from the contracted shelter must be sterilized before release. Intact-pet permits and breeder rules apply for high-volume operations.
Atlanta Sterilization Requirements for Shelter Adoptions
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Atlanta does not require all dogs and cats to carry microchips, but microchipping is mandatory for pets adopted from contracted shelters and is strongly recommended by Fulton and DeKalb Animal Services for return-to-owner success.
Atlanta Microchip Requirements for Owned Pets
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Coyotes are present throughout Atlanta neighborhoods. Georgia DNR classifies coyotes as nongame wildlife with year-round trapping authority, while Atlanta urges hazing and removal of attractants instead of feeding or relocation.
Atlanta Coyote Coexistence and Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Atlanta city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fulton County →