Animal Ordinances in Catoosa County, GA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Catoosa County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Catoosa County allows up to 8 hens on residential lots under an acre and up to 12 on lots an acre or larger, but bans roosters, ducks, geese and other fowl in residential districts, while livestock generally stays confined to the A-1, PCFD and R/A zoning districts under UDC Sections 2.05.00 and 2.06.00.
Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules, Catoosa County
Some RestrictionsCatoosa County Unified Development Code §§ 2.05.00, 2.06.00
B.Up to eight chickens may be allowed on properties located in Residential Zoning Districts which contain less than one acre and up to 12 chickens may be allowed on properties located in Residential Zoning Districts which contain one acre or more. ... 2)Any chicken coop and fenced enclosure shall be located in the rear yard of the property. No coop, enclosure or chickens shall be allowed in any...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Catoosa County, Catoosa County Code § 14-9 makes every dog owner responsible for keeping the dog under control at all times, and § 14-1 defines control as confinement, a leash, chain or rope, or voice command from someone in the animal's immediate presence. Dogs running loose face impoundment under § 14-11.
Catoosa County Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsCatoosa County Code §§ 14-1, 14-9, 14-11
Under control means the animal is securely confined in a fenced enclosure on the property of owner or keeper of the animal, such an enclosure prevents the animal from leaving the property of the owner or keeper of the animal. An animal is also under control: (1)When the animal is located on the property of the owner or keeper of the animal and is secured by means of a leash, chain, rope or othe...
Breed Restrictions
Catoosa County does not ban dog breeds; instead Catoosa County Code § 14-77 defines and classifies individual dogs as dangerous or vicious based on their conduct, and § 14-83 requires a certificate of registration with a secure enclosure, warning signs and, for vicious dogs, a microchip and $50,000.00 in liability insurance.
Catoosa County Dangerous and Vicious Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsCatoosa County Code §§ 14-77, 14-83
Dangerous dog means any dog that: (a)Causes a substantial puncture of a person's skin by teeth without causing serious injury ... Vicious dog means a dog that inflicts serious injury on a person or causes serious injury to a person resulting from reasonable attempts to escape from the dog's attack. ... It shall be unlawful for an owner to have or possess within Catoosa County a classified dog w...
Cat Rules
In unincorporated Catoosa County, every cat over 90 days old must carry a current rabies vaccination and a county registration tag under Catoosa County Code §§ 14-6, 14-8 and 14-9. Owners buy the tag from animal control, pay a fee tied to the cat's spay/neuter status, and keep the cat from becoming a nuisance to neighbors.
Catoosa County Cat Licensing and Rabies Tag Rules
Some RestrictionsCatoosa County Code §§ 14-6, 14-8, 14-9
All dogs and cats over 90 days old kept within the county shall be inoculated so as to provide immunity from rabies. ... All dogs and cats over 90 days old and kept within the county shall have securely attached to their collar or harness a county registration tag. Such tag will have upon it engraved "Registered Catoosa County", the current year for which it is valid and an individual number to...
Microchipping
Catoosa County does not require microchips for pets generally, but Catoosa County Code § 14-83(c)(3) makes a scannable microchip, injected between the shoulder blades, a mandatory condition of the annual certificate of registration for any dog classified as a vicious dog under chapter 14.
Catoosa County Vicious Dog Microchip Requirement
Some RestrictionsCatoosa County Code § 14-83
Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f) of this Code section, a certificate of registration for a vicious dog shall be issued if the dog control officer determines that the following requirements have been met: ... (3)A microchip containing an identification number and capable of being scanned has been injected under the skin between the shoulder blades of the dog; and ... Certificates of...
Pet Groomer Rules
Unincorporated Catoosa County allows pet grooming as a home occupation, but only if every grooming service happens inside the dwelling unit itself. The Unified Development Code caps the occupation at 30 percent of the home's floor area, requires a Catoosa County business license, and limits outdoor advertising displays. Kennels, indoor or outdoor, are separately banned as home occupations.
Pet Grooming as a Home Business
Some RestrictionsCatoosa County Unified Development Code § 5.02.02(A), (C)
A.Generally.1)A home occupation is permissible in a lawfully established dwelling unit in any zoning district where residential uses are permissible. All home occupations shall meet the standards set forth in Section 5.02.02(C). ... e.Pet grooming provided that services are performed inside the dwelling unit; ... 1)Location. Except for permissible outdoor instructional services the use shall be...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Unincorporated Catoosa County treats a veterinary clinic as a listed commercial use, permitted by right in the C-1 General Business District and in Planned Unit Developments. Before Planning and Zoning issues a building or development permit, every building, pen or outdoor enclosure used for the practice must clear a 50-foot setback from every property line.
Catoosa County Veterinary Clinic Setback
Some RestrictionsCatoosa County Unified Development Code § 4.09.37
No part of any building, structure, pen or enclosure shall be located closer than 50 feet to any property line.
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