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Dog walking laws in Atlanta, GA

What professional dog walkers in Atlanta are expected to know, in plain language, with the actual citations. Verified by the Top Dog SF team.

Jurisdiction
Atlanta, GA
Rules in the pack
10
Rules with a cited source
8
Last verified
September 2026
  1. 01

    Leash rules

    TWO DIFFERENT LEASH LAWS INSIDE ONE CITY, and which applies depends on which county you're standing in. On the Fulton County portion, §18-124(b) requires a leash 'not more than six feet long'. On the DeKalb County portion, §18-63 specifies NO length at all and ACCEPTS VOICE CONTROL: a dog 'at heel or beside a competent person and obedient to that person's commands'. Same walker, same day, opposite standards on either side of a street. But note the override: in any CITY PARK, §110-70(a) requires a leash regardless of which county the park sits in. Learn where the county line runs on your routes.

    Atlanta Code §18-124(b) (Fulton), §18-63 (DeKalb), §110-70(a)Official source (opens in a new tab)

  2. 02

    Licensing & vaccination

    Vaccination is required to use Atlanta's off-leash areas, and two further conditions are codified: no puppies under 16 weeks, and no dogs in heat. Those are ordinance requirements at §110-70(f), not park-webpage guidance, so they're enforceable. Check all three at intake.

    Atlanta Code §110-70(f)Official source (opens in a new tab)

  3. 03How many dogs you may walkLocked
  4. 04Commercial dog-walker permitsLocked
  5. 05Business licensing & deadlinesLocked
  6. 06Parks & off-leash areasLocked
  7. 07Seasonal closures & weather rulesLocked
  8. 08Waste (scoop laws)Locked
  9. 09Dangerous-dog rulesLocked
  10. 10Transporting dogsLocked

Get all 10 Atlanta rules

The full pack, plus state and U.S.-wide baselines and an assessment localized to Atlanta, is included with the Certified Professional Dog Walker.

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This is educational guidance for dog-care professionals, not legal advice. Rules change, so always confirm with the official source before relying on a rule.