Metro Title 5 limits the number of dogs and cats a household may keep without a kennel permit. Standard residential lots typically cap at a small number of each species, with kennel licensing required for higher counts.
Metro Code Title 5 sets household pet limits to balance pet ownership with neighborhood compatibility. Residential parcels in standard zoning may keep a limited number of dogs and cats over a certain age (typically capped per species) without obtaining a kennel permit. Once limits are exceeded, the property is treated as a kennel and must comply with kennel licensing through MACC, which includes facility standards, inspections, and zoning verification. Foster volunteers working with MACC or licensed rescues may exceed limits temporarily under a foster authorization. HOAs may further restrict counts. Multi-unit buildings and condos often impose stricter pet limits in lease addenda.
Exceeding pet limits without a kennel license can result in MACC civil penalties starting around $50 per animal, plus orders to relocate animals and per-day fines if not corrected.
Nashville, TN
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Nashville, TN
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See how Nashville's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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