Nashville, TN Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Animal grooming barred as home occupation
- Citation
- Metro Code § 17.16.250(D)(5)(c)(iv)
- Penalty
- $50 per day, per violation
- Alternative
- Must locate in commercial/industrial zone
Summary
Metro Nashville's home-occupation rules expressly exclude animal grooming activities, so a pet groomer cannot run a grooming business out of a house or accessory building, even by appointment only.
c. The following are not permitted as home occupations regardless of whether customer visits are allowed: i. The manufacture or repair of automobiles and other transportation equipment. ii. The repair of equipment that takes place outdoors. iii. The outdoor storage of construction, scrap, or salvage materials. iv. Animal grooming activities.
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's zoning code lets many personal-service businesses operate from a home under a home-occupation permit, spa services, barbering, tutoring, even multimedia production, but Metropolitan Code of Laws § 17.16.250(D)(5)(c) draws a specific line: animal grooming activities are not permitted as a home occupation, full stop, regardless of whether the business would see customers on-site. A groomer working out of a house or garage in Davidson County has to find a commercial or industrial-zoned location instead. Other violations of Subsection D carry a fine of $50 per day, per violation, under § 17.16.250(D)(7)(b).
Violations & Fines
Running a pet-grooming business from a home or accessory building violates § 17.16.250(D)(5)(c)(iv); other Subsection D home-occupation violations draw a $50-per-day fine under § 17.16.250(D)(7)(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a dog-grooming business out of my Nashville home?
Does the ban apply if I don't have customers visit the house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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