Animal Ordinances in Roswell, GA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Roswell, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Roswell allows backyard poultry on a sliding scale tied to lot size, bans roosters outright, and requires two acres minimum before livestock like goats or horses may be kept.
Roswell Backyard Chicken And Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsRoswell Unified Development Code § 9.7.22
Poultry includes any domesticated bird, including, but not limited to, chickens, ducks, guineas, quail and pigeons. Roosters are expressly prohibited.B.Use Standards. Where poultry raising is allowed as a limited use, it is subject to the following:1.The keeping of poultry is for non-commercial, personal use only. Non-commercial keeping of poultry allows no sales on the premises;2.The maximum n...
Dog Leash Laws
Roswell, Georgia bans dogs from running at large on streets or on another person's property without permission; off-property, owners must keep dogs on a leash or otherwise under physical control.
Roswell, GA Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsRoswell Code of Ordinances § 8.1.9
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, or any person having an animal in his custody, to allow it to run at large unattended on or about the streets and highways 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. Such restriction shall not apply to cats.
Breed Restrictions
Roswell has no breed-specific dog ban; it instead classifies individual dogs as vicious, dangerous, or potentially dangerous based on behavior, then requires confinement, warning signage, leashing, and registration.
Roswell, GA Vicious and Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsRoswell Code of Ordinances § 8.1.22
No person owning or having custody or control of any dog or other animal known by such person to be vicious, dangerous, or potentially dangerous shall permit it to run at large, or permit it to run loose on or within the premises of such person in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person lawfully entering such premises.
Exotic Pets
Roswell, Georgia requires anyone who owns, keeps or harbors a wildlife or exotic animal to hold every state and federal permit the species requires, under City Code § 8.1.5. The city doesn't license exotic pets itself; a missing state or federal permit is treated as a Roswell code violation, punishable under the animal control article's penalties.
Roswell GA Wild and Exotic Animal Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsRoswell Code of Ordinances §§ 8.1.1, 8.1.5
Section 8.1.5 - Wild or Exotic Animals. Each owner, custodian, or harborer of any wildlife or exotic animal must obtain all necessary state and/or federal permits and/or meet all state and/or federal requirements for keeping such an animal. ... Exotic animal means any animal of any kind which is not indigenous to the State of Georgia, but not included in the definition of a domestic animal, but...
Wildlife Feeding
Roswell prohibits feeding any fowl within its park system or historic sites at any time, including geese and ducks along the Chattahoochee River parks, with fines up to $250 per violation.
Roswell Bans Feeding Park Fowl
Significant RestrictionsRoswell Code of Ordinances § 14.2.4(18)
Feeding fowl in park system or historic properties is prohibited. No person shall offer food to, provide any food for, or feed any fowl within the park system or historic sites at any time.
Cat Rules
Roswell, Georgia requires every cat over four months old to be licensed and vaccinated through Fulton County, but the city's leash law expressly exempts cats: § 8.1.9 lets cats roam free while dogs must stay restrained. Licensing, vaccination and nuisance rules under §§ 8.1.4 and 8.1.16 still apply to every owner.
Roswell GA Cat Licensing and At-Large Exemption
Light RestrictionsRoswell Code of Ordinances §§ 8.1.4(a), 8.1.9
(a)The owner, possessor or harborer of each dog or cat over four (4) months of age kept, maintained or harbored within the municipal limits of the City of Roswell at any time during the year shall apply for and obtain a license for such dog or cat from Fulton County. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, or any person having an animal in his custody, to allow it to run at large ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Roswell's UDC regulates veterinary clinics and animal hospitals as 'Animal Care' uses, requiring fenced exercise runs, a residential buffer, no overnight outdoor animals, and 150-foot setbacks in large-lot districts.
Roswell GA Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Some RestrictionsRoswell Unified Development Code § 9.5.8(C)
C.Animal Care (Outdoor).1.Defined. A facility designed or arranged for the care of animals that includes outdoor activity. Includes animal grooming, animal hospital, veterinary clinic, pet clinic, animal boarding, animal shelter, cattery, commercial kennel (11 or more dogs) and doggy day care.2.Use Standards. Where outdoor animal care is allowed as a conditional use, it may be permitted subject...
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Roswell city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fulton County →