Animal Ordinances in Spalding County, GA (2026)
9 rules for unincorporated Spalding County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Spalding County's AR-2 district, the zoning ordinance allows up to four chickens per one-acre lot as an accessory use, with no roosters. Coops must sit at least 20 feet from any property line in the rear yard and stand no taller than six feet, kept for eggs or pets only, never for slaughter.
Spalding County Backyard Chicken Limits
Some RestrictionsSpalding County Zoning Ordinance, Appendix IV § 603
C.The following accessory uses are permitted in AR-2 districts: ... 7.Fowl (chickens): The raising and keeping of no more than four (4) chickens on a lot consisting of a minimum of one (1) acre provided compliance with the following:a.No roosters shall be allowed.b.Chicken must be kept in a fenced area in the rear yard at least twenty (20) feet from any property line.c.Chicken coops may be no m...
Dog Leash Laws
Dog owners in unincorporated Spalding County must keep their animal under control whenever it is off the owner's property, meaning leashed to six feet or less, voice-commanded, vehicle-confined, or in a permitted enclosure, and always on a six-foot leash in county parks and on trails.
Dog Leash and Restraint Rules Spalding County
Some RestrictionsSpalding County Code s 12-1005(a),(b),(f)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any owner or possessor of any animal to fail to keep the animal under restraint or control or allow the animal to roam at large as provided for in this section.(b)It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal to keep the animal under control at all times while the animal is off of the real property limits of the owner. For the purposes of this section, an animal is...
Exotic Pets
Spalding County's Animal Control Ordinance defines a long list of wild and exotic animals, from monkeys and raccoons to tigers, alligators, and tarantulas, makes any one kept in violation of the chapter subject to immediate impoundment, and bars wild or exotic animals from ever being adopted out of the county shelter.
Wild and Exotic Animal Rules Spalding County
Significant RestrictionsSpalding County Code s 12-1002(e)(2), s 12-1015(a)(4), s 12-1016(b)(2)(b)
(2)Wild and exotic animals: Include any monkey, nonhuman primate, raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, ferret, bear, wild rabbit, tarantula, wild rodent, and reptiles, including, but not limited to, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, caiman, and gavials, and any other animal so designated by the animal shelter supervisor. ... (a)Animals subject to impoundment: ...
Pet Limits
In unincorporated Spalding County, no one may keep, harbor or control more than four dogs and cats combined on a single property without a kennel license, per County Code Section 12-1006. The cap applies only to tracts of two acres or less and only to animals kept outside the residence; commercially licensed kennels, pet shops, veterinary clinics and certified rescue groups are exempt.
Spalding County Caps Households at Four Dogs or Cats
Some RestrictionsSpalding County Code § 12-1006
(a)Other than any state or county certified rescue group or organization, commercially licensed kennels, pet shops, veterinary clinics or hospitals, no person shall keep, harbor, or knowingly permit to remain on or about his premises or under his or her control more than four (4) dogs or cats or more than a combination of four (4) dogs and cats. Provided, however, that with a dealer's license i...
Cat Rules
Every cat over three months old in unincorporated Spalding County must be vaccinated against rabies before April 1 each year, and households on two acres or less cannot keep more than four dogs and cats combined without a kennel license, under the county Animal Control Ordinance.
Cat Vaccination and Limit Rules Spalding County
Some RestrictionsSpalding County Code s 12-1004(a)-(b), s 12-1006(a)
(a)No person shall own, keep, maintain, or harbor, or permit to be kept or harbored, any dog or cat within the unincorporated areas of Spalding County unless such dog or cat is vaccinated as herein provided.(b)(1)All dogs and cats over three (3) months of age within the unincorporated areas of Spalding County shall be vaccinated against rabies. ... Said vaccination shall be required prior to Ap...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Since March 1, 2016, anyone owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat six months or older in unincorporated Spalding County must have the animal surgically sterilized under County Code Section 12-1016(c). Exemptions cover temporary nonresidents, licensed rescue organizations, veterinary hospitals, service and working police dogs, active show animals, medically unfit animals, and state-licensed breeders.
Spalding County Mandates Spay/Neuter at 6 Months
Heavy RestrictionsSpalding County Code § 12-1016(c)
(c)Sterilization requirement (Effective March 1, 2016). Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog or cats six (6) months of age or older is required to have said animal surgically sterilized, except that this ordinance shall not apply to:(1)Individuals who are nonresidents of Spalding County and reside temporarily in Spalding County for a period not to exceed sixty (60...
Microchipping
Spalding County does not impose a general pet microchipping rule, but County Code Section 12-1011(c)(3) requires any dog classified as vicious to be microchipped between the shoulder blades before Animal Control will issue the certificate of registration that lets the owner keep the dog. The parallel dangerous-dog registration standard does not carry this same microchip requirement.
Spalding County Requires Microchips for Vicious Dogs
Some RestrictionsSpalding County Code § 12-1011(c)(3)
(3)A certificate of registration for a vicious dog shall be issued if the dog control officer determines that the following requirements have been met:a.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;b....
Pet Store Rules
Spalding County does not ban retail pet sales, but County Code Section 12-1014 requires every animal establishment, including pet shops and kennels, to hold a business license and meet the county's animal-care standards. Section 12-1014(c)(1) bars a licensed establishment from selling, trading or giving away any dog or cat over three months old unless it has been vaccinated as the chapter requires.
Spalding County Licenses and Regulates Pet Shops
Some RestrictionsSpalding County Code § 12-1014
(a)License required:(1)No person shall operate an animal establishment without first obtaining a business license in compliance with the Spalding County Licensing and Regulation Ordinance, nor shall any person operate an animal establishment in a manner in violation of any provision of this chapter. ... (c)Compliance with code:(1)An animal establishment shall not sell, trade, or give away any d...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Spalding County's Zoning Ordinance permits an animal hospital or veterinary clinic as a principal use in the VN Village Node district, but only if it has no outside runs or pens, under Sec. 1703A(A)(1), alongside the district's 30,000-square-foot cap and no-outside-storage rule for every listed business.
Spalding County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rule
Light RestrictionsSpalding County Zoning Ordinance, Appendix IV § 1703A(A)(1)
A.The following principal uses are permitted in VN districts provided such uses shall not exceed thirty thousand (30,000) square feet per business and have no outside storage of any unfinished product for sale or raw materials:1.Animal hospital or veterinary clinic with no outside runs or pens.
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