Animal Ordinances in Columbus, GA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Columbus, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Columbus, Georgia permits up to six chickens on any single-family residential lot regardless of size, while keeping larger fowl flocks requires at least two acres and set bird-unit ratios.
Backyard Chickens Allowed Citywide in Columbus, GA
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-42
The keeping of fowl shall be allowed as an accessory use on any lot two acres or more in size. The keeping of such domestic fowl shall be in accordance with the following:(1)The number of domestic fowl kept on a given lot shall not exceed the ratio of one bird unit per one acre, with a bird unit identified as follows: 32 chickens equals one bird unit. 16 ducks equals one bird unit. 8 tur...
Dog Leash Laws
Columbus, Georgia requires every dog on public property to be on a leash and under a responsible person's control, with narrow exceptions for police canines, search-and-rescue dogs and licensed shows.
Columbus, Georgia Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-10
Use of a leash on all public property. No owner or caretaker shall allow any canine, "dog" on any public property unless such animal is restrained by an appropriate leash and under the control of a responsible person. This restriction does not apply to local, state or federal public safety canine officers, to licensed search and rescue operations or to properly licensed animal shows or governme...
Breed Restrictions
Columbus, Georgia has no breed-specific ban; it enforces Georgia's behavior-based Responsible Dog Ownership Law and charges $150.00 a year to register a dog classified dangerous or vicious.
Columbus, Georgia Dangerous Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-11
All requirements concerning the classification, registration and maintenance of dangerous and vicious dogs will be enforced in Columbus as set forth in O.C.G.A Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 4, ("Responsible Dog Ownership Law"). The animal services director shall serve as the dog control officer for purposes of implementing the requirements of the state law. The animal control advisory board i...
Exotic Pets
Columbus, Georgia bans keeping a live poisonous snake within 300 feet of any residence under City Code § 5-40. Because Columbus is built out at typical residential density, that buffer effectively rules out venomous snakes as pets almost anywhere in the consolidated government's limits, with the only carve-out for public institutions doing research or education.
Columbus, GA Bans Poisonous Snakes Near Homes
Heavy RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-40
Sec. 5-40. - Keeping in city limits. (a)Distance from residences. Possession of live poisonous snakes within 300 feet of a residence is prohibited.(b)Exception. It shall be unlawful to possess live poisonous snakes within 300 feet of a residence within Columbus, Georgia, except by public institutions for research or education.
Pet Limits
Columbus, Georgia requires a private/hobby kennel permit for anyone keeping six or more dogs and/or cats over six months old on one property, with annual renewal and a $100 inspection fee.
Six-Plus Pets Need a Permit in Columbus, GA
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-15
Any person who maintains within or adjoining his property a combined total of six or more dogs and/or cats over six months of age as personal or family pets, or for recreational use, or for exhibition, breeding, and where sale of offspring is not the primary function shall be required to have a private/hobby kennel permit.
Cat Rules
Columbus, Georgia requires every cat four months or older to be registered with the Animal Services Division under City Code § 5-9, on top of the rabies vaccination it already requires. Unlike dogs, cats aren't required to wear the tag, but owners must produce proof of registration on an officer's request. Fees run $10 to $120 depending on altered status and term length.
Columbus, GA Cat Registration & Tag Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-9
(A)Registration required. In addition to the requirement for rabies vaccination, owners of dogs and cats four months of age and older are required to register each such dog and/or cat with the animal services division. The dog and/or cat must be vaccinated for rabies before registration is authorized and valid certificate of rabies vaccination must be presented before a dog or cat may be regist...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Columbus, Georgia has no blanket law forcing pet owners to spay or neuter their animals. City Code § 5-13.1 instead ties the requirement to the shelter: an impounded dog or cat that isn't claimed within five days can't be released for adoption unless it's already spayed or neutered, and adoption fees are capped at $150.00.
Columbus, GA Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-13.1
(a)Holding time. Any impounded animal, not under observation for rabies, that is not claimed within five days of the date of impoundment or five days after the owner of the animal is notified, shall be disposed of in a manner approved by the director of the animal services division. However, if the owner is incarcerated at the time of impoundment, the animal shall be held for ten days. After th...
Pet Store Rules
Columbus, Georgia does not ban pet-store sales of dogs and cats: anyone regularly selling them, including a commercial kennel, must instead hold a business license authorizing that activity.
Columbus, GA Pet Sellers Need a Business License
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 5-16
It shall be unlawful for any person, business, or kennel (as heretofore defined), regardless of the number of the animals kept, to engage regularly in the sale of cats, dogs, kittens, or puppies, regardless of the age of the animals, without having a business license which specifically authorizes commercial kennel activities.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Columbus, Georgia bars outdoor dog runs and outdoor boarding at any veterinary office in a nonresidential zoning district. Section 3.2.46 allows overnight boarding only inside soundproofed indoor runs, a lighter standard than the acreage and setback rules the UDO applies to a stand-alone boarding kennel.
Columbus, Georgia Veterinary Office Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 3.2.46
A.Outdoor Runs and Boarding Facilities Prohibited. In all nonresidential zoning districts, outdoor runs and boarding facilities are prohibited.B.Indoor Runs. In all nonresidential zoning districts, indoor runs and boarding facilities shall be soundproofed to eliminate at any adjacent residential property line all noise associated with the boarding of animals.C.Overnight Boarding. Overnight boar...