Shelby County's animal Code contains no ban on feeding wildlife; its scope is dogs, cats, and livestock. Feeding of wild animals is instead governed by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency rules, and food left out that attracts strays or vermin can trigger the county's nuisance rule.
The animal Code does not prohibit feeding deer, waterfowl, or other wildlife; Chapter 4 regulates dogs, cats, and livestock, not the feeding of wild animals. Wildlife feeding is controlled by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which restricts baiting and feeding of game species such as deer for hunting and disease management. Locally, the main constraint is nuisance: Sec. 4-131(b) makes it unlawful to permit an animal to be a nuisance, and Sec. 4-183 requires animal feed stored outside to be in sealed containers to prevent vermin, so food left out that draws rats, strays, or wildlife can prompt code enforcement. Follow TWRA rules and avoid feeding that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife.
There is no county citation for feeding wildlife itself. But feeding that creates a nuisance under Sec. 4-131(b), or stored feed attracting vermin under Sec. 4-183, is enforceable at up to $50 per day.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
shelby-county-tn
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...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no ordinance banning or specially permitting artificial turf. Synthetic turf is not counted as living landscaping under the Unified Develop...
shelby-county-tn
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code favors native landscaping, directing that trees and shrubs be predominately hardy Tennessee native spe...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially licensing residential rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and cisterns are generally allowed, and Tenn...
shelby-county-tn
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 ...
shelby-county-tn
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 wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.