Animal Ordinances in Sandy Springs, GA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Sandy Springs, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Outside agriculturally zoned land, Sandy Springs sets exact setback and floor-space minimums for keeping chickens, ducks, and other fowl or livestock: chicken coops must sit at least 25 feet from any occupied building and give each bird 4 square feet, per Code section 10-16(b).
Sandy Springs Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsSandy Springs, GA Code of Ordinances § 10-16(b)(2)-(3)
A domestic animal or livestock shall be kept at the following minimum distances from any occupied building except the dwelling unit of the owner. (Exceptions: licensed veterinary hospitals, commercial kennels, grooming parlors and public or commercial horse facilities.) Animal / Distance (in feet): Horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep or goats 150; Hogs 900; Dogs (three or more) 25; Rabbits, guine...
Dog Leash Laws
Sandy Springs bans dogs, livestock, and exotic animals from running at large citywide, exempting only cats. Off the owner's property, a dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under the control of a competent handler, per Code section 10-11.
Sandy Springs Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Law
Some RestrictionsSandy Springs, GA Code of Ordinances § 10-11(b)(1)
It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian or harborer of any dog to allow or permit such dog to leave the premises of the owner or other person having custody of the dog unless such dog is securely under leash, said leash being not more than six feet long, and under the control of a competent person. Dogs must be confined to the premises of the owner or other person having custody of the do...
Breed Restrictions
Sandy Springs does not ban specific breeds. Instead, the city manager or designee classifies individual dogs as "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" based on documented bite or attack history, then imposes enclosure, muzzle, insurance, and registration mandates on that dog's owner under Code section 10-102.
Sandy Springs Dangerous Dog Classification
Significant RestrictionsSandy Springs, GA Code of Ordinances § 10-102(d)-(e)
A certificate of registration to the effect that the dog owner has a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog shall also be issued by the city manager or designee, and is contingent upon the dog owner presenting to the city manager or designee evidence of: (1) An enclosure as prescribed in this chapter for confinement of a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog; (2) The proper posting of the prem...
Exotic Pets
Sandy Springs requires anyone keeping a wildlife or exotic animal to hold all applicable state and federal permits, and it outright bans owning skunks (other than pen-raised ones) and foxes from any region, per Code sections 10-15 and 10-14.
Sandy Springs Exotic and Wild Animal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsSandy Springs, GA Code of Ordinances §§ 10-14(a), 10-15
Sec. 10-15. - Wildlife or exotic animal. Each owner, custodian, or harborer of any wildlife or exotic animal must obtain all necessary state and/or federal permits and meet all state and/or federal requirements for keeping such an animal. Sec. 10-14. - Skunks and foxes. (a) All skunks, except pen-raised skunks, and all foxes from whatever geographic region, including Alaska and Canada, are forb...
Pet Limits
Sandy Springs caps most households outside agricultural zones at 10 dogs and cats combined per premises, with separate limits of 75 for rabbits, guinea pigs, or hamsters and 75 for chickens or similar fowl, under Code section 10-16(b)(4).
Sandy Springs Household Pet Limit
Some RestrictionsSandy Springs, GA Code of Ordinances § 10-16(b)(4)
Except in the areas zoned for agriculture, the maximum number of domestic animals or livestock that may be kept on any single premises shall not exceed the following. (Exceptions: licensed veterinary hospitals, commercial kennels, grooming parlors, and public and commercial horse facilities.) Animal / Maximum Number: Horses, mules, asses, cows 5; Sheep, goats 10; Hogs 10; Dogs, cats 10; Rabbits...
Pet Store Rules
Pet shops in Sandy Springs cannot sell dogs or cats outright. City Code § 26-341 bars any pet shop from selling, delivering, bartering, or auctioning dogs and cats, permitting only adoption placements sourced from a licensed animal care facility or a registered 501(c)(3) rescue organization, and no dog or cat may be offered for adoption before it is eight weeks old.
Sandy Springs Bans Pet Shop Dog and Cat Sales
Heavy RestrictionsSandy Springs, GA Code of Ordinances § 26-341
(a)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:(1)An animal care facility; or(2)An animal rescue organization.(b)A pet shop shall not offer for adoption a dog or cat that is younger than eight weeks old.
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sandy Springs city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fulton County →