Nashville, TN Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- More than 5 companion animals
- Standard
- General disregard for living conditions
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor conviction
- Repeat offense
- Mandatory sterilization of animals
- Enforcement
- Metro Animal Control, countywide
Summary
Metro Nashville bars keeping more than five companion animals if their owner shows general disregard for their conditions, denying food, water, shelter, or care.
No person may possess, lodge, or maintain over five companion animals if such a person displays a general disregard for the conditions under which the animals are living, including, but not limited to, failing to provide all of the following to all of the companion animals in his care: adequate food, water, shelter, and care. A person in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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
Metropolitan Code of Laws § 8.12.080 makes it a misdemeanor to possess, lodge, or maintain more than five companion animals, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and similar pets, while showing general disregard for their living conditions, including failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or care. Metro Animal Control investigates complaints countywide. Upon conviction, the general sessions court may bar the person from owning animals for a set period, order a behavioral health evaluation, forfeit the animals to Metro Animal Control, and require sterilization, which becomes mandatory on a second offense, plus fees and fines. Livestock such as fowl, cattle, and horses are excluded and covered elsewhere in the Code.
Violations & Fines
First offense: court may bar animal ownership, order a behavioral health evaluation, forfeiture, and fines; sterilization becomes mandatory upon a second companion animal hoarding conviction, plus additional fees and fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pets trigger Nashville's animal hoarding law?
What happens if convicted of animal hoarding in Nashville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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