Animal Ordinances in Macon-Bibb County, GA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Macon-Bibb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Macon-Bibb County Code Section 12-222 requires any farm animal or fowl, including backyard chickens, to be kept at least 100 feet from the nearest property line or occupied dwelling, and Section 12-224 caps most properties at one farm animal without written board authorization.
Macon-Bibb County Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Code §§ 12-222, 12-224
Sec. 12-222. - Distance of animals from dwelling house or business establishment of another. (a)No person shall raise, keep or permit to be raised or kept on the premises that he owns or controls any farm animal or fowl unless each part of the premises to which such an animal or fowl has access is at least 100 feet from the nearest property line; however, this minimum distance from the property...
Dog Leash Laws
Macon-Bibb County Code Section 15-1(15) declares it a nuisance to let a dog run loose, off leash and unrestrained, on someone else's property without permission, and the sheriff's office investigates complaints and can bring the owner before municipal or state court to abate it.
Macon-Bibb County Dogs Running Loose Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Code § 15-1(15)
Sec. 15-1. - Conditions constituting nuisance. The following conditions are hereby declared to constitute nuisances when any of them endangers the health, welfare or good order of the community and shall be abated, although this section shall not be construed to be limiting with regard to its enumeration of nuisances: ... (15)Allowing any dog not on a leash, not under restraint, to run loose on...
Breed Restrictions
Macon-Bibb County classifies individual dogs, not breeds, as dangerous or vicious based on documented bites or attacks, then requires the owner to get an annual certificate of registration with a secure enclosure and warning signs, plus a microchip and $50,000 of liability insurance for a vicious dog, under Code Sections 5-25 through 5-32.
Macon-Bibb Dangerous & Vicious Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Code of Ordinances § 5-25; § 5-28(a)
Dangerous dog means any dog that:(1)Causes a substantial puncture of a person's skin by teeth without causing serious injury; provided, however, that a nip, scratch, or abrasion shall not be sufficient to classify a dog as dangerous under this subsection;(2)Aggressively attacks in a manner that causes a person to reasonably believe that the dog posed an imminent threat of serious injury to such...
Cat Rules
Macon-Bibb County requires every cat six months or older kept in the county more than 120 days a year to carry a rabies tag and registration license from the Animal Welfare Department under Code Section 5-10, while Section 5-43(4) lets caretakers register a feral cat colony instead of tagging each cat, so long as every colony cat is sterilized.
Macon-Bibb County Cat Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Code of Ordinances § 5-10(a); § 5-43(4)
(a)License required. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of a dog or cat six (6) months old or older within the territorial limits of Macon-Bibb County for more than 120 days in a 12-month period is required to obtain a registration license tag for such animal by registering it with the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department. ... Sec. 5-43(4) A person who provide[s] no...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Macon-Bibb County bars anyone from owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat six months or older that has not been spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered animal permit or the animal is otherwise exempt, under Code Section 5-42, with compliance due within 30 days of the pet turning six months old.
Macon-Bibb County Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law
Significant RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Code of Ordinances § 5-42; § 5-50
Sec. 5-42. - Sterilization requirement. No person may own, keep, harbor, or have custody of a dog or cat six months of age or older within the Macon-Bibb County that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal permit for each unaltered dog or cat, or unless the dog or cat is otherwise exempt under this article. ... Sec. 5-50. - Penalties. Any person who is issue...
Microchipping
Macon-Bibb County has no general pet microchipping law, but Code Section 5-28(c)(3) makes an implanted, scannable microchip a mandatory condition of the certificate of registration issued for any dog classified as vicious, alongside a secure enclosure, warning signs and $50,000 of liability insurance.
Macon-Bibb Vicious Dog Microchip Mandate
Some RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Code of Ordinances § 5-28(c)
(c)A certificate of registration shall be issued for a vicious dog if the dog control officer determines that the following requirements have been met:(1)The owner has maintained an enclosure designed to securely confine the vicious dog on the owner's property, indoors, or in a securely locked and enclosed pen, fence, or structure suitable to prevent the vicious dog from leaving such property;(...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Macon-Bibb County keeps veterinary hospitals and clinics at least 100 feet from any residential district under Section 23.10.02. In Agricultural districts, clinics treating only small domestic animals are a limited use while those treating non-domestic animals need a conditional use permit; commercial and industrial districts allow domestic-animal clinics only, with non-domestic-animal treatment confined to Agricultural zoning.
Macon-Bibb County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMacon-Bibb County Comprehensive Land Development Resolution § 23.10.02
Section 23.10.02. - Veterinary hospital or clinic. [1]Requirements for A-Agriculture District. Veterinary hospitals and clinics treating only small domestic animals shall be a limited use. Veterinary hospitals and clinics treating non-domestic animals onsite shall be a conditional use. Any structure used for a veterinary hospital or clinic shall be a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from a res...
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