Animal Ordinances in Walton County, GA (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Walton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Walton County allows up to six chickens per parcel in platted subdivisions in the A, A1 and A2 districts, or on lots of two acres or less in A1/A2. LDO Section 6-1-650 bans roosters, sales, and free-ranging.
Walton County Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsWalton County Land Development Ordinance § 6-1-650
The keeping of chickens is allowed in platted subdivisions within the A, A1 and A2 zoning districts and on lots two (2) acres or less within the A1 and A2 zoning districts in accordance with the following provisions: A.Number and type chickens allowed:1.No more than six (6) chickens are allowed per parcel.2.Roosters and any other crowing chickens are prohibited.B.Noncommercial use only1.Chicken...
Dog Leash Laws
Unincorporated Walton County requires every domesticated animal, including dogs, to be kept under proper restraint at all times. County Code § 10-3 makes it 'unlawful for a domesticated animal to be at large,' and owners are strictly liable, while § 10-4 separately imposes an affirmative duty on every owner to keep the animal restrained.
Walton County leash and restraint requirement
Some RestrictionsWalton County Code §§ 10-3, 10-4
It shall be unlawful for a domesticated animal to be at large. The Owner of an at large domesticated animal shall be strictly liable for a violation of this provision. ... It shall be the duty of every animal owner to ensure that such animal is kept under proper restraint and that the animal does not become at large.
Breed Restrictions
Walton County has no breed-specific ban; instead County Code §§ 10-51 through 10-60 classify individual dogs as 'dangerous' or 'vicious' by behavior, such as biting or aggressive attacks, and require any classified dog to be registered, confined, and in the vicious category, insured and sterilized.
Dangerous and vicious dog rules in Walton County
Significant RestrictionsWalton County Code §§ 10-51, 10-57(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 subparagraph; ... Vicious dog means a dog that inflicts serious injury on a person or causes serious injury to a person resulting from reasonable attempt...
Cat Rules
Walton County treats cats largely the same as dogs: a cat found in heat and at large is a public nuisance animal under County Code § 10-8(a)(6), and every cat four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies under § 10-13(a). The county does not license cats separately.
Cat at-large and vaccination rules in Walton County
Some RestrictionsWalton County Code §§ 10-8(a)(6), 10-13(a)
(6)It is an in-heat female dog or cat that is at large. ... (a)Vaccination required. The owner of a dog or cat four months of age or older shall cause such dog or cat to be vaccinated against rabies as defined by this chapter.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Walton County does not require spay or neuter for every pet, but County Code § 10-8(b) makes it mandatory once an animal is found to be a public nuisance: the owner must have that dog or cat sterilized at their own expense within 30 days, on top of any other penalty.
Nuisance-triggered spay/neuter rule in Walton County
Some RestrictionsWalton County Code § 10-8(b)
(b)In addition to any other penalty, an owner of any animal deemed to be a public nuisance animal shall be required to have such animal spayed or neutered, as appropriate, at the owner's expense within 30 days for violation of this section.
Microchipping
Walton County Animal Control will not release or adopt out any animal from its shelter unless the animal carries an implanted EAID, an electronic microchip, under County Code § 10-16(i), with the owner or adopter paying the county's implantation cost unless a chip is already verified at intake.
Microchip requirement for shelter animals in Walton County
Some RestrictionsWalton County Code § 10-16(i)
(i)Microchipping. No animal shall be reclaimed or adopted unless the animal has been implanted with an EAID and the owner has paid the county for the implantation of such EAID, unless an EAID has been verified upon impound.
Pet Groomer Rules
Unincorporated Walton County classifies pet grooming as a "Pet Care Services" use, folded into the Kennels, Commercial category (NAICS 812910) in the Land Development Ordinance's use table. That table permits the use only in the Agricultural (A) district and the B1, B2, B3 and Town Center business districts, triggering the supplemental standards in Section 6-1-470.
Pet Groomers in Unincorporated Walton County
Significant RestrictionsWalton County Land Development Ordinance §§ 2-1-100, 6-1-470
Pet Care Services: This use comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing pet care services (except veterinary), such as boarding, grooming, sitting, and training pets. See also kennel, commercial. ... Section 6-1-470 - Kennel, Commercial (20) A.The lot size shall be no less than two (2) acres.B.Any building or enclosed structures for the housing of animals shall have minimum side and...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In unincorporated Walton County, an animal hospital or veterinary clinic must sit at least 100 feet from any property zoned or used for residential purposes. The Land Development Ordinance confines all medical treatment and any incidental kennel or boarding operation to a fully enclosed building, and requires the structure be designed to keep noise and odor from reaching neighboring properties.
Unincorporated Walton County Vet Clinic Setback
Some RestrictionsWalton County Land Development Ordinance § 6-1-980
A.Any structure used as an animal hospital or veterinary clinic shall be located and its activities conducted at least one hundred (100) feet from any property zoned or used for residential purposes.B.Medical treatment or care shall be practiced only within an enclosed building or structure.C.Kennel or boarding operations incidental to the principal use shall be permitted only within an enclose...
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