How Memphis Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide
Memphis maintains 200 local ordinances across all categories, and 16 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Memphis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Chickens & Livestock
Memphis allows backyard hens (no roosters) on residential lots subject to setback, coop-size, and cleanliness rules. Other livestock are restricted to agricultural zones. Up to 6 hens are commonly permitted on standard residential lots with a 25-foot coop setback.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Memphis code enforcement](https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Livestock
Livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs are restricted to agricultural zones in Shelby County outside Memphis city limits or on permitted large-lot parcels. Standard Memphis residential zones do not allow livestock other than limited backyard hens.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Memphis code enforcement](https://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislation) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Compared to other cities, Memphis takes a harder line on livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Wildlife Feeding
Memphis prohibits feeding of wild animals including deer, raccoons, and feral cats in ways that create a nuisance or attract pests. Backyard bird feeders are allowed but must not attract rodents. Feeding wildlife that causes property damage to neighbors can trigger code enforcement action.
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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Memphis code enforcement](https://www.tn.gov/twra) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Exotic Pets
Exotic animals in Tennessee regulated under TCA §70-4-401 et seq. (TWRA). Class I animals (big cats, great apes, bears): personal possession prohibited without exhibitor permit (age 21+, 2 yrs experience, $150/animal fee). Class II animals require permit. Class III (small reptiles, non-venomous snakes) generally no permit needed.
Key details: State Law: TCA §70-4-401 (TWRA Wildlife permit). Class I: Big cats, apes, bears — prohibited without exhibitor permit. Class II: Wolves, macaques — permit required. Class III: Small reptiles, non-venomous snakes — generally no permit.
Confiscation of prohibited animals. Fines $500 to $5,000. Criminal charges possible for dangerous species. Owner liable for damages from escaped animals.
This is one of the stricter rules in Memphis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Pet Limits
Memphis Code Chapter 5 caps the number of dogs and cats per residential dwelling, with combined totals enforced by Memphis Animal Services and the Public Animal Services Division across all city zoning districts.
Key details: Default cap: 4 dogs/cats combined. Permit issuer: PASD (Animal Services). Age threshold: Over 4 months. Court: Environmental Court.
Civil citations issued through Memphis Environmental Court, fines per excess animal, possible impoundment by PASD officers, and revocation of any existing animal permits.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Memphis Animal Services requires all dogs and cats adopted from the city shelter to be sterilized before release, and Chapter 5 mandates sterilization deposits for redemptions of unaltered impounded animals throughout Memphis.
Key details: Shelter rule: 100% pre-adoption sterilization. Repeat impound: Mandatory at second. State backstop: TCA 44-17-501. Breeder exemption: PASD permit required.
Failure to sterilize a redeemed animal forfeits the deposit, triggers Environmental Court citation, and bars the owner from future adoptions until compliance is documented.
Microchipping
Memphis Chapter 5 pairs annual rabies-license registration with microchip requirements for adopted and impounded animals, supporting return-to-owner workflows handled by the Public Animal Services Division.
Key details: Chip at adoption: Mandatory from PASD. License: Annual, with rabies. State rabies law: TCA 68-8-103. Stray hold: Set by PASD policy.
Citations for unlicensed pets, additional fees added to impound redemption, and possible adoption-out of strays whose owners cannot be located through chip records before stray-hold expiration.
Animal Hoarding
Memphis enforces animal hoarding through the cruelty provisions of Chapter 5, supported by Tennessee TCA Title 39 cruelty statutes, with PASD and MPD coordinating welfare checks and removals at hoarding-suspected addresses.
Key details: State cruelty law: TCA 39-14-202. Aggravated cruelty: TCA 39-14-212. Lead agency: PASD with MPD. Sanitation backup: Shelby Co Health.
Misdemeanor or felony cruelty charges under TCA Title 39, mandatory cost-of-care reimbursement, multi-year possession bans, and removal of all animals from the property by PASD.
This is one of the stricter rules in Memphis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Cat Rules
Memphis Chapter 5 requires cats over four months to be licensed and current on rabies vaccination, while community-cat TNR programs operated by PASD partners are recognized and exempted from running-at-large enforcement.
Key details: License age: Over 4 months. TNR exempt: Ear-tipped community cats. Rabies law: TCA 68-8-103. Leash rule: Not required for cats.
Civil citations for unlicensed cats, impound and redemption fees for nuisance complaints, and ineligibility for adoption services until outstanding citations are cleared with PASD.
Memphis is more permissive than most cities when it comes to cat rules. That said, there are still limits.
Coyote Management
Memphis follows a non-lethal hazing-first coyote framework coordinated with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, leveraging PASD nuisance-wildlife guidance and Chapter 5 wildlife-feeding bans to discourage habituation in residential neighborhoods.
Key details: State agency: Tennessee Wildlife Resources. Discharge ban: Inside city limits. Primary tool: Hazing and attractant removal. Trapping: Licensed operators only.
Civil citations for wildlife feeding, restitution for any unauthorized firearm discharge under MPD enforcement, and TWRA fines for unpermitted trapping or relocation activities.
The rules around coyote management in Memphis lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Pet Groomer Rules
Memphis pet grooming establishments operate under Chapter 9 business licensing and Chapter 5 humane-care standards, with the Memphis-Shelby UDC controlling location, signage, and any boarding component bundled with the grooming service.
Key details: License: Memphis Code Ch. 9. Humane standards: Memphis Code Ch. 5. Mobile groomer: Home-occupation rules. State license: Not required.
Civil citations from PASD for unsafe restraint or sanitation, business-license suspension for repeat complaints, and zoning enforcement for operating bundled boarding without conditional-use approval.
The rules around pet groomer rules in Memphis lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Pet Store Rules
Memphis pet retailers operating under Chapter 5 and Chapter 9 business licensing must keep sourcing records and comply with Tennessee TCA Title 44 commercial-breeder oversight, with PASD inspections enforcing health and humane-care standards on retail premises.
Key details: Local license: Memphis Code Ch. 9. State law: TCA Title 44. Inspector: PASD officers. Retail ban: Not adopted.
Civil penalties for missing sourcing records, license suspension or revocation for repeat humane-care violations, and Environmental Court fines for misrepresentation of animal origin or health status.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and boarding kennels in Memphis are governed by the Memphis-Shelby Unified Development Code, which sets permitted districts, buffer requirements, and conditional-use review for facilities adjacent to residential zones.
Key details: Governing code: Memphis-Shelby UDC. By-right districts: Most commercial zones. Conditional use: Boarding and large animals. State licensing: TCA Title 63 Ch. 12.
Cease-and-desist orders for unpermitted kennel operations, conditional-use revocation for noise or odor violations, and Environmental Court fines for operating outside the UDC-approved district classification.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping in Tennessee governed by TCA §44-15 (state bee inspection and disease prevention). Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code addresses urban agriculture; beekeeping may be permitted as an accessory agricultural use. No statewide ban on local regulation.
Key details: State Law: TCA §44-15 (hive inspection, disease prevention). Local: UDC may permit beekeeping as accessory use. Contact: Memphis Planning & Development. Right to Farm: TCA §44-18-101 protects agricultural operations.
Unauthorized hives: removal order. Unregistered: TN Dept. of Agriculture enforcement. Nuisance complaints: city fines.
Dog Leash Laws
Memphis requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. TN Code §44-17-108 covers dangerous dogs (behavior-based only).
Key details: Leash: Required in public. Off-Leash: Designated parks only. BSL: Preempted statewide. Dangerous Dog: TN Code §44-17-108.
Off-leash: $25 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $25 to $200. Waste: $25 to $500.
Breed Restrictions
Tennessee preempts all breed-specific legislation statewide. TN Code §44-17-120 prohibits cities from banning specific dog breeds. All regulation behavior-based.
Key details: Breed Bans: Prohibited statewide. State Law: TN Code §44-17-120. Dangerous Dogs: Behavior-based only. HOA: Private rules only.
Dangerous dog violations per TN Code §44-17-108: Class A misdemeanor to felony. Containment failure: $500+.
Memphis is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, Memphis gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 4 of the 16 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.
All of the above reflects Memphis's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.