Animal Ordinances in Dunwoody, GA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Dunwoody, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Dunwoody allows up to six hens per lot in single-family residential districts, but only on lots of 10,000 square feet or larger and only after the owner obtains zoning approval from the community development department. Roosters and other fowl are barred, and coops face strict size and setback limits under Section 27-176.
Dunwoody Backyard Chicken Keeping Rules
Significant RestrictionsDunwoody Code of Ordinances § 27-176(c)(6), (d)(2), (d)(5)
(6)Maximum number of chickens allowed per residential lot:a.No more than six chickens shall be kept on any lot in the City of Dunwoody.b.No chickens may be kept on lots under 10,000 square feet. ... (2)Coops shall not exceed six feet in height above grade and must allow for a footprint of at least two square feet per chicken housed in the coop. The maximum single coop footprint size is 40 squar...
Dog Leash Laws
Dunwoody bans letting any dog or other animal run at large in the city and requires owners to keep animals under restraint and control at all times off their own property, whether by leash, secure enclosure, or vehicle confinement.
Dunwoody Leash and At-Large Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsDunwoody Code of Ordinances §§ 6-5, 6-8
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, or anyone having an animal in his or her custody, to allow it to run at large unattended on or about the streets and highways of the incorporated limits of the city; or on the property of another person, without permission of the owner of that property, or of the person in possession of that property, except dogs being hunted in accordance with ...
Breed Restrictions
Dunwoody has no breed-name ban; instead it classifies any dog or animal as "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" through a municipal court hearing under Section 6-15, then imposes registration, confinement, muzzle and leash rules under Sections 6-16 and 6-17.
Dunwoody Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsDunwoody Code of Ordinances §§ 6-15, 6-16, 6-17
(a)If the police chief, animal control officer or code enforcement officer learns of the existence of a dangerous animal or potentially dangerous animal, the police chief shall then cause a summons to be issued requiring the owner of the animal to appear before a judge of the city municipal court ... to conduct a hearing as to the appropriate classification of the animal. The police chief shall...
Exotic Pets
Dunwoody prohibits owning, keeping or housing a "hazardous animal," venomous or large predatory species, within city limits unless the police chief grants prior written approval based on proof of proper confinement, under City Code Section 6-19.
Dunwoody Ban on Keeping Hazardous Animals
Significant RestrictionsDunwoody Code of Ordinances §§ 6-2, 6-19
Hazardous animal means an animal that may be harmful to humans or other animals by virtue of its ability to produce poison or, due to its size and feeding habits, could prey on humans as a food source. Hazardous animal include, but are not limited to, pit vipers (genus Crotalidae), coral snakes (genus Micrurus), poisonous spiders, frogs, large reptiles, Nile monitors, caiman, alligators, crocod...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Dunwoody requires owners of dogs and cats adopted from DeKalb County or any other adoption agency to have them sterilized, and separately requires sterilization of any dog or cat a court declares potentially dangerous or dangerous, under City Code Section 6-22.
Dunwoody Mandatory Pet Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsDunwoody Code of Ordinances § 6-22
(a)It shall be the duty of the owner and/or animal facilitator of a dog or cat adopted from DeKalb County or any other adoption agency to have the dog or cat sterilized. Puppies and kittens must be sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within six months of the date of adoption. Adult dogs and cats must be sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of the date of adoption.(b)It shall b...
Pet Store Rules
Dunwoody bans pet shops from selling dogs or cats outright; a shop may only offer them for adoption through a partnership with an animal care facility or a registered rescue, under City Code Section 6-34, adopted in May 2025.
Dunwoody Retail Pet Store Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDunwoody Code of Ordinances § 6-34
(b)Restrictions on the sale of animals.(1)A pet shop may not sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, or otherwise dispose of dogs or cats, but may offer for adoption only those dogs and cats that the pet shop has obtained from or displays in cooperation with:a.An animal care facility; orb.An animal rescue organization.(2)A pet shop shall not offer for adoption a dog or cat that is young...
Looking for DeKalb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dunwoody city rules.
Animal Ordinances in DeKalb County →