It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, or any person having an animal in his custody, to allow it to run at large unattended on or about the streets and highways of the city, or on the property of another person without permission of the owner of that property or of the person in possession of that property. Such restriction shall not apply to cats. To report an animal-related code violation, please contact the code enforcement office at (770) 594-6101 or email.
Animal Control
Fulton County Animal Services provides domestic animal control services for the City of Roswell. Those services include: Animals running at large; dangerous and vicious animals; investigations for cruelty and neglect; picking up stray or lost dogs and cats; and processing dog and cat licensing. Please contact Fulton County Animal Control at (404) 613-0358. The shelter is located at 860 Marietta Boulevard NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
Wildlife Control
Wildlife control is handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Please contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources directly at (770) 918-6408 or visit the Georgia DNR website for more information.
Dogs: City Code 8.1.7 & 8.8.4 (c)
The keeping of 4 or more domestic dogs shall not be allowed.
Owners and the agents of owners of domesticated animals shall not permit any barking, baying, howling, crying, or making any other noise for more than 10 continuous minutes without interruption or more than 30 minutes if intermittent.
Chickens: Unified Development Code Section 9.7.21
Poultry (not including roosters) are permitted as a limited use in residential in the following UDC Zoning Districts: AG-43, RS-87, RS-30, RS-18, RS-12, RS-9, RS-6, RS-4, R-CC, R-TH, RM-2, and RM-3.
The maximum number of poultry allowed is based on total lot size the resident uses to house the poultry.
Less than 0.33 acre is not allowed poultry,
0.34 acre to 1.00 acre is allowed a maximum of 6 poultry
1.01 acres or more is allowed 12 poultry per acre for a total maximum of 36 poultry per single-family detached residence located in residential zoning district.
The keeping of poultry shall be conducted in a manner that does not disturb the use or enjoyment of adjacent properties. Odor generated shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries, and noise generated shall not disturb people of reasonable sensitivity at the property boundaries.
The City of Roswell collects household garbage, recycling, and yard waste generated within the city limits. Learn more about utilities and services on the Garbage & Sanitation website.
All property must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free of all junk, litter, refuse, and overgrowth. The responsibility to maintain the property is with the owner, the resident, and the person in control of the property.
Junk Cars - City Code 8.8.3 & 22.4.4
A junk vehicle is one that is inoperable or unregistered, or is wrecked, rusted, dismantled, abandoned, or discarded, and may not be parked, stored, or left on public or private property.
Noise - City Code 5.1.13 & 8.8.3 (s)
The City of Roswell’s Noise Ordinance is designed to protect public health, safety, and quality of life by regulating excessive and disturbing sounds. It establishes clear definitions for terms such as noise disturbances, nuisances, and various sound levels, while setting measurable limits for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. The ordinance prohibits sounds that exceed established decibel thresholds, particularly during nighttime hours, and outlines restrictions on sources such as animals, construction, landscaping equipment, amplified music, and outdoor performances.
The ordinance also provides exemptions for certain activities, including emergency work, public safety operations, permitted events, religious services, school-related performances, and daytime construction or landscaping. Enforcement is carried out by code enforcement or police officers using sound level meters, and violations can result in escalating civil fines and, for repeat offenses, criminal penalties including up to 6 months of incarceration. The ordinance further allows for temporary relief permits in cases of undue hardship, though amplified sound permits are strictly prohibited.
For specific noise ordinance regulations, limitations, and exemptions, please view the full City Code online.
Business License (Occupation Tax Certificate) - City Code 10.3.4
A Business License (Occupation Tax Certificate) is required for each person engaged in business, trade, or occupation that has an office location in the City of Roswell. The certificate must be displayed on the business premises.
Contact the Business Registration Office to apply for a Business License (Occupation Tax Certificate) at (770) 594-6235.
Call Code Enforcement to report a business operating without a license at (770) 594-6101.
Home Occupation - Unified Development Code Section 9.7.11 & City Code 10. 3
A home occupation is any use, occupation, or activity conducted entirely within a dwelling by the residents thereof, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residence purposes and does not change the character thereof. Any business operating from a residence requires an Occupation Tax Certificate.
Contact the Business Registration Office to apply for a Business License (Occupation Tax Certificate) at (770) 594-6235.
Complaints concerning rental housing typically involve matters that are classified as "civil" (ie, a legal matter between a tenant and a landlord). Code Enforcement Staff works to thoroughly investigate all complaints received; however, in most instances where a complaint involves conditions inside of rental housing units, Code Enforcement Staff does not have the authority address the situation.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has published a document intended to provide rental housing tenants with information that will help tenants understand their rights under Georgia law, as well as provide general guidance on ways to handle various situations. That document, known as the Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook, is available online.
Dumpsters, Basketball Goals, etc. in the Street - City Code 18.2.1 (a)
No person shall place or cause to place in any street and/or sidewalk: debris, rubbish, irrigation water, boxes, displays, signs, poles, goods, merchandise, or any other object so as to impede and/or endanger traffic on streets and/or sidewalks.
Parking on the Street - City Code 22.4.1
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or abandon a motor vehicle upon the streets of the city or upon the rights-of-way of the streets and allow said motor vehicle to remain parked or abandoned for more than 12 continuous hours.
Off-Street Parking in Residential Areas - Unified Development Code Section 2.2.20.A
In single-family residential zoning districts, parking in the front yard is allowed for each dwelling unit only within a hard-surfaced driveway (i.e., asphalt, concrete, gravel, or if approved by the City Engineer, a turf-reinforced driveway).
No parking shall be allowed in grass or lawn areas.
Junk Vehicles - City Code Chapter 22.4
A junk vehicle is one that is inoperable or unregistered, or is wrecked, rusted, dismantled, abandoned, or discarded and may not be parked, stored, or left on public or private property.
Recreational Vehicles - Unified Development Code Section 9.7.22
Recreational equipment such as boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, recreational vehicles, pick-up campers or coaches, motorized dwellings, motor coaches, tent trailers, and other similar vehicles may be parked or stored only in established areas in side yards, rear yards, carports, or in an enclosed building. This is provided, however, that such equipment may be parked or stored anywhere on residential premises for a period not to exceed 24 hours during loading and unloading.
It is unlawful to post, display, change, or erect a sign without obtaining a sign permit. Contact the Community Development Department for a permit at (770) 641-3780.
Signs - Yard / Garage Sale - Unified Development Code Section 10.3.6.2.A.2
A permit is required prior to any yard / garage sale. Sales are limited to three per year. Up to six signs may be permitted per sale and are not permitted within the right-of-way or on utility poles, traffic signs, and trees. Signs are allowed on private property with the permission of the property owner.
Permits may be obtained from the Community Development Department at (770) 641-3780.
Signs - Real Estate - Unified Development Code Section 10.3.6.A.5
Real estate directional signs shall be allowed for a maximum period of 2 consecutive days in any one week.
The following rules shall apply to all such signs:
Maximum of 3 off-premises signs per house/lot.
Such signs shall be located within 2 miles of the property to which they refer, as measured along existing streets.
No such sign shall be located on any public right-of-way.
Signs shall not exceed a maximum area of 4 square feet.
Not more than 1 such sign shall be allowed at any "T" intersection.
No more than 2 such signs shall be allowed at any four-way intersection.
Such signs shall not have any balloons, streamers, pennants, etc. attached.
Such signs shall not be illuminated.
Such directional signs shall only be placed on property with the owner's express written permission.
Handbills - City Code Chapter 8.9
No handbill may be distributed unless the receiver is willing to accept it. Handbills may not be placed on unoccupied vehicles or where a "No Handbills" insignia is displayed or where it may be carried by the elements.
The City of Roswell does not have the legal authority to require the removal of trees that are located on private property unless the trees threaten public property (public streets, sidewalks, schoolyards, public parks, and other public property). When there is a dispute between neighbors about a perceived hazardous tree, this is a civil issue, and the City of Roswell will not intervene.
If a tree falls from your neighbor's property onto yours, that too is a civil matter. However, each property owner is responsible for cleaning up any debris on their property.
In general, you have the right to cut any part of a neighbor’s tree that is over your property as long as you don't permanently damage the tree. However, you may want to notify your neighbor beforehand to avoid legal problems.
It is recommended that property owners contact a tree removal service, an arborist, their homeowner's insurance company, or an attorney for advice on how to handle these situations.
Trees on Your Property
A Tree Removal Permit is required for the removal of any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter. There are several other instances in which a tree removal permit may be required. Please review Roswell's Unified Development Code Article 12.1.3 or contact the City's Landscape Architect at (770) 594-6445 for questions regarding tree removal and permitting.
All property owners/residents in the River Corridor (property within 2,000 feet of the Chattahoochee River) must contact the Planning & Zoning office at (770) 817-6720 before removing any trees.
Water is a precious resource necessary for ensuring a growing, prosperous city. The City of Roswell prides itself on being a leader in local conservation initiates. Learn more about water usage, watershed protection, and drought management on the Environmental Protection Division website.
