Tennessee's exotic-animal law (TCA 70-4-403) classifies wildlife and bans private possession of Class I species inherently dangerous to humans, such as big cats, bears, and primates. Class III animals (many reptiles, small rodents) need no state permit. Knox County zoning and animal rules apply on top of state law.
Possession of exotic and wild animals in Knox County is controlled by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency under TCA 70-4-403, which sorts wildlife into classes. Class I includes species inherently dangerous to humans (such as bears, big cats, wolves, and non-human primates) and may be possessed only by zoos, circuses, and commercial propagators, not private owners. Class II requires a permit; Class III (many non-venomous reptiles, amphibians, and common pet rodents like gerbils and hamsters) requires no TWRA permit. On top of state classification, Knox County zoning and the animal-control ordinance can further restrict keeping unusual animals in residential areas.
Illegally possessing Class I or unpermitted Class II wildlife is a state offense enforced by TWRA and can bring seizure of the animal, fines, and misdemeanor charges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Knox County does not prohibit backyard composting for households. The zoning code only regulates commercial-scale composting facilities, which are solid-wast...
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Knox County has no ordinance regulating artificial turf on residential property. Synthetic lawns are neither required nor banned; large installations should ...
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Knox County has no rule requiring native plants in home yards, but its zoning ordinance requires native shade trees in new parking lots and along streets in ...
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Knox County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially regulating residential rain barrels or rainwater collection. Tennessee does not restrict rainwater harv...
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Knox County does not impose a general ordinance restricting lawn or garden watering days or hours. Any watering limits come from your individual water utilit...
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Knox County treats vines, grass, weeds and other vegetation that reaches 12 inches or more as a presumed public nuisance on residential property. Owners must...
See how Knox County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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