Chattanooga, TN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat licensing
- not required citywide
- Feral/Community Cats
- exempt from at-large ban
- 2nd at-large offense
- impound + spay/neuter required
- Cats in heat
- must be confined indoors
Summary
Chattanooga exempts Community Cats and Feral Cats from its at-large law, while owned cats must stay under control or face impoundment and mandatory spay/neuter.
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any animal belonging to him, under his care, or habitually found on premises occupied by him or immediately under his control to go unrestrained or be allowed to be not directly under control. This section shall not apply to any Community Cats or Feral Cats in the City. Any animal found running at large in violation of this section is declared to be a nuisance and liable to seizure and disposal as provided in this chapter.
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
City Code § 7-36(a) bars letting any owned animal go unrestrained in the City but expressly states 'this section shall not apply to any Community Cats or Feral Cats.' § 7-2 backs this up by excluding Feral Cats and Community Cats from the definition of 'Stray,' so colony cats cannot be impounded as strays. A pet cat caught at large twice in twelve months, however, can be impounded and held until microchipped and spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.
Violations & Fines
An owned cat running at large a second time in 12 months triggers impoundment; release requires microchipping and spay/neuter under § 7-36(b). Community and Feral Cats are not cited under this section at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to license my cat in Chattanooga?
Will animal control pick up cats in a feral colony?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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