Hendersonville, TN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Inside Hendersonville city limits, the Municipal Code Title 10 (Animal Control) does not authorize keeping wild or exotic animals as personal pets, and any keeping of wildlife is subject to TWRA permitting and the state's exotic-animal classification scheme. Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 4 establishes five wildlife classes administered by TWRA: (1) CLASS I - 'Inherently Dangerous to Humans' under TCA 70-4-403 - includes all primates other than humans (gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, baboons, gibbons, macaques), all bears, all elephants, all rhinoceroses, all hippopotamuses, all giraffes, all canids except domestic dogs (wolves, coyotes, jackals), all felids except domestic cats (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, cheetahs, lynx, bobcats), hyenas, Komodo dragons and large monitor lizards, crocodilians (other than American alligator under certain conditions), wolverines, honey badgers, and others - personal possession of Class I species is PROHIBITED by state law; only TWRA-authorized commercial propagators, exhibitors, zoos, and research/educational institutions may possess them. (2) CLASS II - native wildlife (other than Class I) - requires a TWRA Wildlife Possession Permit for personal possession. (3) CLASS III - small mammals, common reptiles and amphibians, non-game birds, etc. - no TWRA permit required (TDA rules may still apply). (4) CLASS IV - white-tailed deer, black bear, and wild turkey - only authorized for bona fide zoos and TWRA-permitted wildlife rehabilitators. (5) CLASS V - certain restricted species (such as alligators) by special permit only. TWRA Rules 1660-01-18 ('Rules and Regulations of Live Wildlife') flesh out the species lists and permit requirements. Even where TWRA allows personal possession (Class II under permit; Class III no permit), the animal must still be kept in compliance with Hendersonville's Title 10 animal-control sanitation/nuisance rules and any applicable USDA Animal Welfare Act licensing for exhibition. Common pets like ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, sugar gliders (where TDA permits), most parrots, non-venomous snakes (other than restricted species), and aquarium fish are generally Class III and allowed without a TWRA permit. Animal Control field enforcement for Hendersonville is provided by Hendersonville Animal Control (615-264-5355) in coordination with TWRA Region II wildlife officers (TWRA Region II office, Nashville).