Hendersonville's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Hendersonville, Tennessee, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Bird Protection

Hendersonville designates its entire corporate limits a Bird Sanctuary under Municipal Code § 10-301, and § 10-302 makes it unlawful to trap, shoot, or molest any bird, wildfowl, or their nests anywhere in the city. Only the city itself, acting through its health authorities and the Chief of Police, may destroy nuisance birds such as congregating starlings, and violators face up to a fifty-dollar fine per offense under § 10-305.

Key details: Governing sections: §§ 10-301 through 10-305. Scope: Entire city limits (§ 10-301). Maximum fine: $50 per violation (§ 10-305). Nuisance removal: City health authorities only (§ 10-303). Adopted: Ord. 1980-3, March 1980.

Each act of trapping, shooting, or molesting a bird, or robbing a nest, is a separate offense carrying a fine up to $50 under § 10-305. The city may destroy nuisance flocks such as congregating starlings only through its own health authorities under Chief of Police supervision (§ 10-303), and only the city, not private citizens, may eradicate birds or waterfowl posing an immediate safety threat under § 10-304.

This is one of the stricter rules in Hendersonville's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Beekeeping

Hendersonville permits backyard beehives in its lowest-density residential zones, capped by lot area and set back 20 feet from property lines.

Key details: Zones allowed: RR, ER, SR-1 only. Max density: 1 colony per 5,000 sq ft. Setback: 20 feet from property line. Water source: Required on site.

The Planning Department enforces beehive placement and density under Chapter 10.4.18; hives kept outside RR, ER, or SR-1 zones, or placed closer than 20 feet to a property line, are a zoning violation subject to a compliance order.

Pet Limits

Hendersonville caps dogs, cats, and rabbits combined at one animal per 3,000 square feet of lot area in every zoning district, on top of the city's separate Animal Control Ordinance.

Key details: Limit: 1 per 3,000 sq ft lot. Counted together: Dogs, cats, rabbits. Applies in: All zoning districts. 9,000 sq ft lot: Max 3 animals. Also governed by: Animal Control Ordinance.

Keeping more dogs, cats, or rabbits combined than the one-per-3,000-square-foot lot-area formula allows is a zoning violation, separate from any Animal Control Ordinance licensing requirement.

Dog Leash Laws

It's unlawful for a Hendersonville owner to let a dog or cat run off-leash and off their own property; any pet found at large may be seized and impounded under Municipal Code § 10-203.

Key details: At-large definition: Off property, not on leash. Impoundment fee: $10 minimum. Boarding fee: $5/day minimum. Holding period: 7 days before disposition. Rabies vaccination: Required over 3 months old.

Letting a pet run at large is a strict-liability violation; the animal can be seized and impounded on the spot, and unclaimed animals are held only seven days before disposition under § 10-206.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Hendersonville's Zoning Ordinance defines veterinary clinics as "Animal Hospital," a listed Service Use permitted only in specific residential and commercial districts under the Table 3 and Table 5 use tables, and expressly separate from Kennel.

Key details: Defined use: Animal Hospital includes veterinary clinics. Excludes: Kennel (separate use type). Zoning control: Permitted/conditional by district only. Governing tables: Table 3 (Residential), Table 5 (Commercial). Source: Ord. 2025-19, rev. Feb 2026.

Operating a veterinary clinic or animal hospital in a zoning district that does not list "Animal Hospital" as a permitted or conditional use violates the Zoning Ordinance, enforceable by the City's Zoning Enforcement office.

Chickens & Livestock

Hendersonville limits horses, ponies, and goats to the RR, ER, and SR-1 zones at one animal per 30,000 square feet, and restricts all other livestock to RR/ER parcels of at least 10 acres.

Key details: Horses/goats zones: RR, ER, SR-1 only. Stocking rate: 1 per 30,000 sq ft. Setback: 50 ft from property lines. General livestock zones: RR, ER only. Minimum parcel: 10 acres.

Keeping horses, goats, or other livestock outside the RR, ER, or SR-1 zones, below the 30,000-square-foot-per-animal ratio or 10-acre minimum, or without the required setback and enclosure, is a zoning violation.

This is one of the stricter rules in Hendersonville's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Coyote Management

Hendersonville has no coyote ordinance, but runs a Deer Monitoring and Control Committee that oversees an official cull. USDA-certified sharpshooters remove deer after a herd survey, funded only if the Board approves.

Key details: Committee: 7 members, 4-year terms. Method: USDA-certified sharpshooting cull. Approval needed: Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Budget cap: $3,000 for aerial survey.

This is a City-run program, not a citizen prohibition: no cull may occur without Board of Mayor and Aldermen approval and appropriated funding before Public Works and TWRA-coordinated sharpshooters proceed.

Exotic Pets

Hendersonville allows exotic animals as a residential accessory pet in most zones, but only at low density and only if confined at all times.

Key details: Max density: 1 per 20,000 sq ft lot. Zones allowed: RR, ER, SR-1, SR-2, SR-3, DN. Confinement: Required at all times. Authority: Zoning Ordinance § 10.4.18.

Zoning Enforcement (Planning Department) cites unpermitted or unconfined exotic animals as a zoning violation under Chapter 10.4.18; repeat or uncorrected violations can draw civil penalties and a compliance order.

Wildlife Feeding

Hendersonville bans placing grain, salt licks, fruit, nuts, or hay where it may intentionally feed deer, with exceptions for enclosed bird feeders, erosion-control materials, and permitted trapping.

Key details: Citation: § 10-601 through § 10-604. Ground rule: No deer feed within 5 ft of ground. Max fine: $50 per violation. Adopted: Ord. 2018-8 (July 2018).

Fine up to $50 per violation under § 10-604, plus court costs; the City may also seek an injunction or abatement as a public-nuisance remedy, enforced by Hendersonville Police.

Compared to other cities, Hendersonville takes a harder line on wildlife feeding. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Hendersonville is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 9 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Hendersonville, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Hendersonville's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.