Nashville, TN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Routine microchipping
- Not required for pet owners
- Impounded dogs
- Microchip authorized at owner's expense (§8.04.140)
- Vicious dogs
- Court can order microchip/tattoo (§8.08.060)
- Licensing method
- Tag + rabies certificate, not chip (§8.04.030)
Summary
Nashville doesn't require pet owners to microchip their animals. Metro Animal Control can implant a microchip in any impounded dog before release, billed to the owner, and Metro General Sessions Court can order a vicious dog microchipped or tattooed for identification as a release condition.
The director of health is also authorized to have a veterinarian humanely implant any animal lawfully impounded with an electronic microchip that will allow the animal to be positively identified, which shall be at the owners or possessor's sole expense, before being released back into their custody. The impoundment and boarding fees authorized pursuant to this section shall be set and approved by the board of health.
E.The director of health is given the discretion to waive a portion or all of the fees imposed pursuant to this section when the dog has been impounded through no fault of the owner as determined by the director of health. (Ord. BL2023-1688 § 1, 2023)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metro doesn't mandate routine microchipping for dogs and cats: licensing (Metropolitan Code of Laws § 8.04.030) runs on tags and rabies certificates instead. Microchipping only enters the code at two points. Under § 8.04.140(D), when Metro Animal Care and Control impounds a dog, the director of health can have a veterinarian implant an electronic microchip before release, at the owner's sole expense, on top of required licensing and rabies vaccination. Under § 8.08.060, once general sessions court finds a dog vicious, the court can order it taken from Metro Animal Services to a licensed veterinarian to be tattooed or microchipped for identification before release, with the chip data reported back to Metro Animal Services.
Violations & Fines
There's no separate microchipping violation: the exposure comes with impoundment. Owners pay actual microchipping and veterinary costs, on top of impoundment and boarding fees, before Metro releases the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nashville require me to microchip my dog or cat?
Who pays if Metro Animal Services microchips my impounded dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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