Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Columbus requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Columbus Consolidated Government Code Sec. 5-10(d)(9). A court can impose up to $1,000.
What the Columbus ordinance says
| Ordinance | Columbus Consolidated Government Code Sec. 5-10(d)(9) (penalty via Sec. 5-6(a) and general penalty Sec. 1-8) |
|---|---|
| Fine | Up to $1,000 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
Sec. 5-6(a) sends every Chapter 5 violation to the general penalty, Sec. 1-8: a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or imprisonment up to 90 days, or both. Cases go to Recorder's Court (Sec. 5-6(c)). No fixed amount and no repeat-offense tier for pet waste was found in the code.
The carry rule
Sec. 5-10(d)(9) requires prompt removal and sanitary disposal only; no bag or tool requirement.
Service animals
Sec. 5-10(d)(9) has no guide or service dog exemption. The disability-dog exception in Sec. 5-10(d)(1) covers only entry into food establishments, and the guide and hearing dog exceptions in Sec. 5-10(e) cover controlled-access public events.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Georgia
Georgia dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Atlanta dog poop law · Augusta dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Columbus municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
