Animal Ordinances in Columbia County, GA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Columbia County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Columbia County zoning allows up to six chickens on parcels under one acre as small-scale agriculture, bars commercial poultry houses, and requires livestock to be fenced with a 25-foot barn setback. R-A farming lots need 2½ acres.
Columbia County Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbia County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 90-147(d)(4)
Operation of poultry houses, dairies, ranges, and feedlots for the commercial sale of meat or eggs is prohibited. ... On parcels smaller than one acre, residential gardening and the keeping of no more than six chickens may take place. The nuisance provisions of chapter 34, article II shall apply.
Dog Leash Laws
Columbia County bars animals from running at large in the unincorporated county under Code Sec. 14-6 and requires a dog off its owner's property to be leashed, crated, or securely enclosed. Rabies vaccination is mandatory at three months.
Columbia County Dog Leash & Control Laws
Some RestrictionsColumbia County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-6(a), (d)
It shall be unlawful for any owner or possessor of an animal to allow such animal to run at-large within the unincorporated areas of the county, whether or not such animal is wearing a collar and tag. ... It shall be the duty of the owner or custodian of any dog to keep such dog under restraint and control at all times while the dog is off the real property limits of the owner, possessor or cus...
Breed Restrictions
Columbia County has no breed-specific ban. Dangerous and vicious dogs are handled by behavior under Code Sec. 14-14, which defers to Georgia's Responsible Dog Ownership Law (O.C.G.A. § 4-8-20 et seq.). Classification appeals go to Probate Court.
Columbia County Dog Breed Rules
Few RestrictionsColumbia County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-14
All matters pertaining to the control of dangerous or vicious dogs shall be investigated in accordance with O.C.G.A. tit.4, ch. 8, and in accordance with jurisdiction provided by the state law. Should an owner of a classified dog wish to appeal the classification of a dog as dangerous or vicious, that appeal shall be heard by the Probate Judge of Columbia County or his designee.
Exotic Pets
Columbia County refers wild-animal matters to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources under Code Sec. 14-7. Keeping exotic or wild animals requires a state DNR Wild Animal License, and many species are prohibited outright.
Columbia County Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsColumbia County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-7
All complaints and matters concerning wild animals, not of a domestic nature, and complaints involving game animals or protected species and/or hunting, shall be forwarded to the game and fish division of the state department of natural resources or the United States Department of Agriculture, Law Enforcement Division.
Wildlife Feeding
Columbia County has no ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer, coyotes, or other wildlife. Under Code Sec. 14-7, wild-animal matters are handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, not county Animal Services.
Columbia County Wildlife Feeding Rules
Few RestrictionsColumbia County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-7
All complaints and matters concerning wild animals, not of a domestic nature, and complaints involving game animals or protected species and/or hunting, shall be forwarded to the game and fish division of the state department of natural resources or the United States Department of Agriculture, Law Enforcement Division.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Columbia County does not require every dog or cat owner to spay or neuter their pet. The mandate in §§ 14-101 and 14-102 applies only to animals leaving the county shelter: the animal services department must either sterilize the dog or cat before releasing it, or bind the adopter to a written 30-day sterilization agreement. Skipping that duty is a misdemeanor under § 14-103.
Columbia County Shelter Pet Sterilization Requirement
Some RestrictionsColumbia County, GA, Code of Ordinances §§ 14-101, 14-102
The provisions for this article are adopted by reference from O.C.G.A. 4-14-1 et seq. Sterilization of dogs and cats in shelters, as well as county ordinance 14-16 Adoption. ... The animal services department shall make provisions for the sterilization of all dogs or cats acquired from such shelter by: (1) Providing sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the an...
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