Animal Ordinances in Cherokee County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Cherokee County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Cherokee County's livestock rule, Code of Ordinances § 10-38, applies to chickens and other fowl too: the chapter's definition in § 10-26 expressly includes fowl and rabbits within "livestock." All livestock must be properly housed, fed, watered, and confined in an enclosure the animal cannot escape.
Cherokee County Livestock and Fowl Rules
Some RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances §§ 10-26 (definitions), 10-38 (Livestock)
Livestock means and includes horses, cows, goats, pigs, or any other hoofed animal used for pleasure or profit. Fowl and rabbits are expressly included within this definition. ... All livestock shall be properly housed with adequate food and adequate water and confined within a fenced enclosure. The fenced enclosure shall be maintained in such a manner as to keep any average livestock animal fr...
Dog Leash Laws
Cherokee County requires every dog to be under restraint under Code of Ordinances § 10-29. A dog is not restrained if it is running at large; owners must secure it in a locked enclosure, an invisible fence with a posted sign, or on a leash under a competent handler's control.
Cherokee County Dog Restraint Rules
Some RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 10-29
It shall be unlawful for any owner, possessor, guardian, or custodian of any dog to fail to keep a dog under restraint or control as provided for in this section. A dog is considered not under restraint or control when it is running at large, whether wearing a collar and tag or not. Reasonable care and precautions shall be taken to prevent the dog from leaving the real property limits of its ow...
Breed Restrictions
Cherokee County does not ban dogs by breed; instead Article III of the Code of Ordinances classifies individual dogs as "dangerous" or "vicious" based on behavior under § 10-73, then imposes registration, double fencing, insurance, and muzzling duties on their owners under § 10-74.
Cherokee County Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances §§ 10-73, 10-74
Upon receiving a report of a dog believed to be subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog within the county, the animal control officer shall make such investigations as necessary to determine whether such dog is subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog... The notice shall be dated and shall state that the owner has a right to request a hearing on the classi...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Cherokee County does not require sterilization of pets generally, but any animal adopted from the county shelter must be spayed or neutered under Code of Ordinances § 10-34(c). Adult animals get 30 days from adoption; sexually immature animals must be fixed by six months of age.
Cherokee County Adoption Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 10-34(c)
Any person adopting an intact animal shall cause to have the animal spayed or neutered (sterilized) within a period specified as follows, within 30 days from the date of adoption for animals over the age of six months, or within the first six months of age for sexually immature animals. Any adopted animal not sterilized within the time specified may be reclaimed by the marshal's office. If an a...
Pet Store Rules
Cherokee County pet shops cannot sell, exchange, barter or transfer dogs or cats at all; they may only host adoptions for licensed animal control facilities or 501(c)(3) rescue organizations, and never for an animal younger than eight weeks old.
Cherokee County Pet Shop Dog and Cat Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 18-376
A pet shop may not sell, exchange, barter, offer for sale, auction, or otherwise deliver or transfer a cat or a dog. Nothing in this Section shall prevent a pet shop from providing space and appropriate care for cats and dogs owned by an animal control facility or an animal rescue organization and maintained at the pet shop for the purpose of adopting those animals to the public, however, a pet...
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