The Zoning Ordinance of Acworth, GA previously said:
Permitted Uses for R-1 properties:
4. Livestock, poultry and non-commercial riding stables, provided:
a)No livestock shall be kept on a lot containing less than 3 acres.
b)All buildings used for animals shall be set back not less than 150 feet from all property lines.
c)All animals shall be maintained at least 50 feet from any property line and shall have 5,000 square feet of fenced lot area not covered by the principal structure for each animal.
The Code has been changed and now reads:
Section 1: Chapter 14 of the City of Acworth Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by amending Section 14-15, to read as follows:
Sec. 14-15. Goats, miniature pigs, and backyard chickens generally.
It is permissible within the corporate limits of the City of Acworth to have goats, miniature pigs and backyard chickens if the following standards are met:
(a) Goats shall not exceed 24 inches in height (at the withers) or 80 pounds in weight. No more than two (2) goats per property are permitted.
(b) Miniature pigs shall not exceed 22 inches in height or 125 pounds in weight. No more than two (2) pigs per property are permitted.
(c) Backyard chickens raised for the purpose of providing food (eggs) or companionship as a pet (Gallus gallus domesticus):
1) Total number of hens per lot shall be as follows:
0 – 1 acre lot = 3 hens
1.01 – 2 acre lot = 6 hens
2.01 – 3 acre lot = 9 hens
3.01 + acre lot = 12 hens
2) No roosters or crowing hens are permitted.
3) Shall be maintained within a covered enclosure and fenced area set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from all property lines and no less than twenty five (25) feet from any residential structure on an adjacent property.
4) Coops and feed are to be secured at all times to prevent any potential nuisance with mice or other pests.
5) All coops and surrounding areas are to be properly maintained and kept clean so as to not become a nuisance.
(d) No slaughtering of any animal is permitted.
(e) Properties are subject to compliance with all other City Codes and Ordinances where not in conflict with this section.
(f) If a property is found to have more than the allowable number of animals as specified in this section or if the animals are not cared for or contained in the manner specified in this section, or the animals are creating a nuisance, the property owner or resident may be issued a citation and be required to remove all of the animals in excess of the maximum allowable number specified and/or care for and contain the animals in accordance with all codes and laws.
(g) If a property owner or resident is cited more than three (3) times within a 365 day period for violating the conditions of this section, in addition to any fine the municipal court may also ban the property owner or resident from having any said animals on the subject property for a period up to one (1) year.