Animal Ordinances in Hall County, GA (2026)
10 rules for unincorporated Hall County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Hall County allows livestock and poultry as an accessory use to a single-family home, but requires at least 15,000 square feet of land per animal and keeps any animal structure at least 100 feet from every property line. Breeding or selling livestock or poultry for profit is not permitted in a residential district.
Hall County Backyard Poultry & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 7.8.11
7.8.11. Keeping of Livestock and Poultry A.Defined The raising or keeping of cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, goats, sheep, swine and other hoofed animals; poultry, ducks, geese, pigeons, peacocks and other live fowl; and fur or hide-bearing animals; whether for pleasure or utility, as an accessory use to a single-family detached dwelling. The keeping of livestock and poultry does not include s...
Dog Leash Laws
Hall County makes it unlawful for any owner of a dog, cat or other domesticated animal to let it run at large and not under restraint anywhere in the unincorporated county. Animal Control can impound a loose animal and cite the owner in magistrate court.
Hall County Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.200
It is unlawful for the owner of any domesticated animal or agricultural animal, or anyone having a domesticated animal or agricultural animal in his possession or control, to permit such domesticated animal or agricultural animal to be at large and not under restraint unless said animal is livestock and is maintained in accordance with section 4.10.230 of this chapter. However, on or after Janu...
Breed Restrictions
Hall County classifies a dog as dangerous or potentially dangerous based on its own behavior, not its breed. Section 4.10.100 defines both terms by prior bites, attacks or a known propensity to attack, and owners get written notice and a right to a hearing before the classification is final.
Hall County Dangerous Animal Classification (No Breed Ban)
Significant RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.100
Dangerous animal means any animal other than livestock maintained on agricultural property, that, according to the records of an appropriate authority: 1.Has without provocation inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property; or 2.Aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans, domesticated animals or agricultural animals without provocation after the ani...
Exotic Pets
Hall County classifies wildlife-permit animals, wild hybrids and several giant constrictor snakes as hazardous animals. Owners must register the animal annually with Animal Control, prove state or federal permits, and keep it in secure, locked confinement.
Hall County Hazardous/Exotic Animal Rules
Significant RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.250
No person shall own, keep, harbor, house, or permit to be kept, harbored or housed any hazardous animal within the jurisdiction of the governing authority, unless said animal is registered in writing annually with the Hall County Animal Control Director or his designee in accordance with paragraph B of this section.
Cat Rules
Hall County runs a community cat/feral cat colony program that exempts enrolled cats from registration, licensing and stray-animal rules, and shields healthy ear-tipped cats from impoundment, while banning trapping on private property without the owner's consent.
Hall County Community Cat Program Rules
Light RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.710
Cats brought into the community cat program are exempt from registration, licensing, and stray animal provisions of this chapter, and shall not be deemed abandoned when returned to the location where captured, and as necessary and appropriate, may be exempt from other provisions of this Code applicable to owned animals... Healthy, ear-tipped cats shall not be impounded, as they are already cons...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Hall County requires the Animal Shelter and other rescues to sterilize every dog or cat before adoption, or get a signed agreement that the adopter will sterilize it within 30 days (or by seven months old for young animals), at the adopter's cost.
Hall County Shelter-Animal Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.280
shall make provisions for the sterilization of all dogs or cats acquired from such shelter, agency, society, or refuge by:1.Providing sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the dog or cat; or2.Entering into a written agreement with the person acquiring such dog or cat guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days af...
Microchipping
Since a January 2025 amendment, every domesticated animal reclaimed from the Hall County Animal Shelter, except community cats, must be microchipped before leaving impoundment, with the chip number logged in the animal services department's records.
Hall County Impound-Release Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.420(A)(4)
All domesticated animals other than community cats reclaimed under this section shall be microchipped before leaving impoundment at the Hall County Animal Shelter, with the identification number from the animal's microchip recorded in the department of animal services' records.
Pet Store Rules
Hall County bans pet shops from selling, exchanging or otherwise transferring dogs and cats commercially. Stores may only host adoption space for animal control facilities or rescue organizations, and must post a sign naming the sponsoring shelter or rescue.
Hall County Pet Shop Retail Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 4.10.720
A pet shop may not sell, advertise for sale, exchange, offer for adoption, barter, offer for sale, auction, or otherwise deliver or transfer a cat or 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 adopting those...
Pet Groomer Rules
Hall County zones pet grooming businesses as "Animal Care (Indoor)" under Sec. 7.5.8.B, defined as a facility caring for animals with no outdoor activity beyond a 2,000-square-foot pet elimination area. The use needs a Conditional Use Permit in the county's agricultural districts and is permitted by right in most commercial and industrial zoning.
Hall County Pet Grooming Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 7.5.8.B
A facility designed or arranged for the care of animals without any outdoor activity. No outdoor activity associated with the care of animals is allowed, except for outdoor pet elimination areas no more than 2,000 square feet in area. Includes animal grooming, animal hospital, veterinary clinic, pet clinic, animal boarding, animal shelter, kennel (5 or more dogs or cats), and doggy day care. Ma...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary clinic that lets animals outside falls under "Animal Care (Outdoor)" in Sec. 7.5.8.C of the Hall County UDC, which requires a five-acre minimum lot in the AG-1, AR-1 and AG-2 districts, a 100-foot setback for any animal-keeping structure, and a six-foot opaque fence around the animal area, on top of a Conditional Use Permit in most zoning.
Hall County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsHall County Code of Ordinances § 7.5.8.C
A facility designed or arranged for the care of animals that includes outdoor activity. Includes animal grooming, animal hospital, veterinary clinic, pet clinic, animal boarding, animal shelter, kennel (5 or more dogs or cats), and doggy day care. Use Standards: The minimum lot size is 5 acres in the AR-1, AG-1 and AG-2 districts. No structure or area for the keeping of animals may be located w...
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