Chattanooga, TN Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 7-141
- Coverage
- entire city limits
- Max penalty
- $50 per violation
- Hunting exception
- state-permitted hunting only
Summary
Chattanooga designates the entire city a wild bird sanctuary, making it unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot at, or otherwise molest any wild bird or rob a bird's nest, with an exception for legal state-permitted hunting.
The entire area embraced within the City is hereby designated as a sanctuary for wild birds. It shall be unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to shoot or molest in any manner any wild bird or to rob any bird's nest. When any species of wild bird is found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality that they constitute a nuisance or menace to health or property, and if such are declared by qualified authorities to be creating a public nuisance and the Mayor is so informed, appropriate action may be taken by duly constituted officials after a thorough investigation. Trapping or killing of such birds shall not be resorted to unless Audubon societies, bird clubs, humane societies, or the Animal Center are unable to find a satisfactory alternative. Legally permitted hunting through the State of Tennessee is expressly exempted from this provision.
(Ord. No. 12880, § 1, 11-18-14)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chattanooga City Code § 7-141 designates the whole city a sanctuary for wild birds and bars trapping, hunting, shooting at, or molesting any wild bird, or robbing a bird's nest, anywhere in the city. If a bird species congregates in numbers that qualified authorities and the Mayor deem a nuisance or health menace, officials may act after investigation, but trapping or killing is a last resort used only if the Audubon Society, bird clubs, humane societies or the Animal Center cannot find another solution. Legally permitted hunting under Tennessee law is expressly exempted.
Violations & Fines
Bird-sanctuary violations fall under Chapter 7's general penalty, § 7-142: a civil penalty or fine of up to $50 for each violation, enforced by Animal Services or the Chattanooga Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to shoot at birds in Chattanooga?
Can the city ever remove nuisance birds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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