Animal Ordinances in Forsyth County, GA (2026)
11 rules for unincorporated Forsyth County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Forsyth County allows up to eight backyard chickens on lots of at least a half-acre under UDC 16-4.4, with roosters banned. Livestock in Res1 needs a conditional use permit, two acres, and one animal per acre (16-4.18).
Forsyth County Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Unified Development Code §§ 16-4.4, 16-4.18
(a) The minimum lot size for the keeping of backyard chickens shall be one-half acre. (b) No more than eight chickens are permitted on a lot. (c) Chicken coops, chicken houses and/or roosting structures shall not require a building permit... (g) Roosters and any other crowing fowl are prohibited.
Dog Leash Laws
Forsyth County requires every animal to be kept under control off the owner's property under Code section 14-31, and leashed in county parks. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs and cats at three months (14-104).
Forsyth County Dog Leash & Control Laws
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-31(a)
It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal or anyone having an animal in his possession to keep the animal under control at all times while the animal is off the real property limits of the owner, possessor or custodian. For the purposes of this section, an animal is deemed under control when it is confined within a vehicle; is secured by a leash, lead, electric collar, or other device hel...
Breed Restrictions
Forsyth County has no breed-specific ban. Dangerous and vicious dogs are classified by behavior under Chapter 14, Article V, mirroring Georgia's Dangerous Dog Control Law (O.C.G.A. § 4-8-20). A vicious dog requires $50,000 liability insurance.
Forsyth County Dog Breed Rules
Few RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-135(c)(4)
The owner maintains and can provide proof of general or specific liability insurance in the amount of at least $50,000.00 or the maximum amount authorized by state law issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state insuring the owner of the vicious dog against liability for any bodily injury or property damage caused by the vicious dog.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is a by-right agricultural use across unincorporated Forsyth County. Table 15.1 of the Unified Development Code lists 'Apiaries' as a Permitted (P) use in both the A1 and AG-RES agricultural zoning districts, which cover most rural and exurban land outside Cumming's city limits, and the Code's own definition of 'agriculture' expressly includes apiarian products.
Forsyth County Beekeeping Zoning Rules
Few RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Unified Development Code, Table 15.1 (Chapter 15, Agricultural Districts); Ch. 3, Art. II, definition of "Agriculture"
TABLE 15.1 USES PERMITTED IN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS P = Permitted C = Conditional X = Not Permitted ... Uses A1 AG-RES ... Apiaries P P ... [Definitions, Ch. 3] Agriculture: The commercial cultivation or growth from or on the land of horticultural, floricultural, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry, and apiarian products.
Exotic Pets
Forsyth County defers wild-animal matters to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources under Code section 14-45. Keeping exotic or wild animals requires a state Wild Animal License from GA DNR; many species are prohibited outright.
Forsyth County Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-45
All complaints and matters, with the exception of an animal bite, concerning wild animals not of a domestic nature and complaints involving game animals or protected species and/or hunting shall be forwarded to the state department of natural resources, game and fish division or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Law Enforcement Division for proper disposition, i.e.. compliance, apprehension, ...
Wildlife Feeding
Forsyth County has no ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer, coyotes, or other wildlife. Under Code section 14-45, wild-animal matters are handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, not county animal services.
Forsyth County Wildlife Feeding Rules
Few RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-45
All complaints and matters, with the exception of an animal bite, concerning wild animals not of a domestic nature and complaints involving game animals or protected species and/or hunting shall be forwarded to the state department of natural resources, game and fish division or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Law Enforcement Division for proper disposition, i.e.. compliance, apprehension, ...
Cat Rules
Forsyth County exempts free-roaming community and feral cats from its at-large law and formally authorizes trap-neuter-return: ear-tipped cats are trapped, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to where they were found instead of being impounded.
Forsyth County Community Cat (TNR) Rules
Light RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-31(f), § 14-40(a)-(c)
Free roaming community cats and feral cats are shall not be considered to be at large and will not be impounded unless showing signs and symptoms of injury or illness. ... The following actions shall be permitted in Forsyth County as part of the community cat program (trap-neuter-return): (a) Trapping, for the sole purpose of sterilizing, vaccinating for rabies, and ear tipping community cats.....
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Forsyth County does not require every owned dog or cat to be sterilized, but it mandates spay or neuter for any dog or cat adopted from the county shelter at or immediately before adoption, once the animal is about eight weeks old and weighs at least two pounds.
Forsyth County Shelter Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-77(b)-(c)
The county will spay or neuter all dogs and cats at or immediately prior to the time of adoption if the animal is approximately eight weeks of age and weighing at least two pounds, unless otherwise recommended by a licensed veterinarian. The requirement set forth in section 14-77(b) shall not apply if the owner of the dog or cat claims or presents evidence that such dog or cat is the property o...
Microchipping
Forsyth County accepts a microchip as valid owner identification for dogs and cats but does not let it replace the required visible collar. Dogs classified as vicious must additionally be implanted with a scannable microchip to be registered.
Forsyth County Pet Microchip Rules
Light RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-104(b), § 14-135(c)(3)
All dogs are required to wear a collar containing owner information at all times, except as exempted by section 14-105. Owner information contained in a microchip shall be acceptable to comply with this requirement; but shall not be a replacement for a visible collar. Dogs age three months or older are required to wear a collar and a current rabies tag at all times. ... a certificate of registr...
Pet Store Rules
Forsyth County bans pet shops from selling dogs or cats outright. Retail stores may only host adoptions for a shelter or nonprofit rescue that keeps ownership of the animal and charges the store no space fee, and each cage must post the rescue's name.
Forsyth County Pet Store Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 14-171
A pet shop may not sell, advertise for the sale of, exchange, offer for adoption, barter, offer for sale, auction, or otherwise deliver or transfer a cat or a dog. Nothing in this article 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 adopt...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals and kennels cannot locate on residential-zoned property anywhere in unincorporated Forsyth County. Table 11.1(a) of the Unified Development Code marks 'Kennels, Animal Hospitals and Veterinary Clinics' as X, Not Permitted, in every one of the county's nine standard single-family residential districts.
Forsyth County Vet Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Unified Development Code, Table 11.1(a) (Chapter 11, Residential Districts)
TABLE 11.1(a) USES PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS P = Permitted C = Conditional X = Not Permitted ... Uses R1R CR1 R1 R2R R2 R3 R4 LR OSR ... Kennels, Animal Hospitals and Veterinary Clinics X X X X X X X X X
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