I would like to know the law regarding owning chickens and possibly
goats or cattle in our yard in Atlanta, GA.  We are very close to the
downtown area but we have a big backyard.  I would like to have a few
chickens in the backyard for eggs if possible.  And maybe a goat for
milking.  Do you have to have permits and if so, how do you obtain
them?  I'm sure a cow is out of the question, but I would like to know
the answer to that was well.
Thank you!
Jessica

Hi Jessica,

At the outset, I should emphasize the disclaimer at the bottom of this
page, which indicates that answers and comments on Google Answers are
general information, and not intended to substitute for informed
professional legal advice.  If you need such advice, you should
contact a lawyer admitted to practice law in Georgia.

Here is the chapter of Atlanta's ordinances devoted to animals:

"Chapter 18 Animals" [Code of Ordinances, City of Atlanta, Georgia]
Municode.com
http://library3.municode.com/gateway.dll/GA/georgia/721/805?fn=document-frameset.htm$f=templates$3.0

Section 18-7 provides for keeping chickens in certain circumstances. 
Section 18-39 provides for keeping goats and cows in certain
circumstances.  You can review other sections in Chapter 18 for
further ordinances -- for example, Section 18-8 on sanitation of
enclosures.

Please note that the ordinances are updated to February 16, 2005. 
There's always a possibility that the ordinances have changed or will
change.

Code of Ordinances, City of Atlanta, Georgia
Municode.com
http://library3.municode.com/gateway.dll/GA/georgia/721?f=templates&fn=default.htm&npusername=10376&nppassword=MCC&npac_credentialspresent=true&vid=default

Moreover, state laws, county ordinances, and other regulations could
potentially have an impact on keeping such animals.

You may wish to contact these government authorities for additional information:

Fulton County Animal Services
http://www.fultonanimalservices.com/

DeKalb County Animal Control [click "Find Us Now" at bottom left]
http://dekalbpolice.com/ac/

Georgia Department of Agriculture: Animal Industry
http://www.agr.state.ga.us/aiindex.html

- justaskscott


Search strategy --

Searched on Google for:

atlanta code
atlanta
"fulton county"
"dekalb county"
georgia

Searched and browsed relevant web sites for information on animals,
animal health, and animal control.

Just what I was looking for, thanks!