Shelby County's animal Code defines 'animal' as dogs and cats and contains no exotic-pet permit scheme. Possession of exotic and wild animals in the unincorporated county is governed by Tennessee state law, which classifies dangerous wildlife and requires state permits from the Wildlife Resources Agency.
Chapter 4 defines 'animal' as dogs and cats and creates no county exotic-pet or wild-animal permit. Exotic and wild animals in the unincorporated county are controlled by Tennessee state law. T.C.A. Title 70, Chapter 4, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) sort wildlife into classes; Class I inherently dangerous animals such as large cats, bears, apes, and certain primates generally may not be possessed except by qualifying exhibitors, and Class II and III animals require state permits or registration. The Health Department's rabies program still applies to any mammal that bites or is exposed to rabies. Verify the animal's TWRA class and permit status, and confirm the parcel's zoning allows the use, before acquiring it.
Illegally possessing a Class I dangerous wild animal, or keeping Class II or III wildlife without the required permit or registration, is a state offense enforced by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, with seizure and fines under T.C.A. Title 70.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard composting is allowed in Shelby County and has no dedicated permit, but compost and organic material must be managed so it does not become harmful v...
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Shelby County has no ordinance banning or specially permitting artificial turf. Synthetic turf is not counted as living landscaping under the Unified Develop...
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The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code favors native landscaping, directing that trees and shrubs be predominately hardy Tennessee native spe...
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Shelby County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially licensing residential rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and cisterns are generally allowed, and Tenn...
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Shelby County has no mandatory outdoor watering schedule. Water is supplied by Memphis Light, Gas and Water from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, and MLGW promotes ...
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The Code of Shelby County authorizes the county to compel owners of unincorporated property to cut rank weeds, grasses, and underbrush deemed a health or tra...
See how Shelby County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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