Animal Ordinances in Hendersonville, TN (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Hendersonville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
The City of Hendersonville Municipal Code Title 10 (Animal Control) governs running-at-large of poultry and livestock inside the corporate limits. Backyard hens are allowed as a residential accessory use in RR (Residential Rural), ER (Residential Estate), SR-1 (Single-Family Residential 1), and SR-2 (Single-Family Residential 2) zoning districts under the Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance, with a typical density limit of one (1) hen per 3,000 square feet of lot area and coops set back at least fifteen (15) feet from any property line. Roosters are not permitted in residential zones because of the noise nuisance. The Hendersonville Building & Codes Department administers chicken-related permits and coop reviews.
Hendersonville Chickens & Poultry (Title 10 Animal Control + Zoning Ordinance)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Title 10 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (Animal Control) prohibits dogs from running at large within the corporate city limits. State law reinforces this: Tennessee Code Annotated Section 44-8-408 (Dogs not allowed at large) makes it a Class C misdemeanor (on first offense) for a dog owner to allow the dog to run at large in a place where the public commonly gathers or to enter another person's property uninvited. Field enforcement and impoundment are handled by Hendersonville Animal Control at 1 Executive Park Drive (615-264-5355).
Hendersonville Dog Leash & Running-At-Large Rules (Title 10 + TCA 44-8-408)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
The City of Hendersonville does not have a breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other commonly-restricted breeds are legal to own in Hendersonville. Tennessee has no statewide preemption of breed-specific legislation - cities and counties retain home-rule authority under Title 6 of the TCA to enact local BSL, and roughly 35-40 Tennessee municipalities have done so - but Hendersonville and Sumner County have chosen not to. Dangerous-dog issues are handled on an individual, conduct-based basis under Title 10 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code and Tennessee state law (TCA 44-8-413 strict liability for dogs at large; TCA 39-17-1363 'vicious dog' criminal offense after a serious injury).
Hendersonville Breed Restrictions (No City BSL; Conduct-Based Vicious-Dog Rule)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
The City of Hendersonville Municipal Code does not contain a beekeeping-specific ordinance. Beekeeping in Hendersonville is governed by the Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995 (TCA 44-15-101 through 44-15-122), administered by the State Apiarist within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). All beekeepers in Tennessee must register their apiaries with TDA at no charge, and re-register every three (3) years. Hives are inspected by the State Apiarist for American foulbrood and other regulated diseases. The Sumner County Beekeepers Association is the local Tennessee Beekeepers Association affiliate and offers a beginner short course for new Hendersonville-area beekeepers.
Hendersonville Beekeeping (Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995 - TCA 44-15)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
The City of Hendersonville Municipal Code does not authorize keeping wild or exotic animals as personal pets within the corporate limits. Exotic-animal possession is governed at the state level by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 4 (Exotic Animals, TCA 70-4-401 through 70-4-418) and the rules of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) at 1660-01-18, which classify wildlife into Class I (inherently dangerous - prohibited as personal pets), Class II (native wildlife - TWRA permit required), Class III (no permit required), Class IV (white-tailed deer / black bear / wild turkey - only zoos/rehabbers), and Class V (special permit only).
Hendersonville Exotic Pets (TCA 70-4 Part 4 - TWRA Classes I/II/III/IV/V)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
The City of Hendersonville Municipal Code does not include a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, and state-level Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) rules govern. Sumner County is NOT currently in the TWRA CWD Management Zone (which is limited to the 22 West Tennessee counties: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Lewis, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, Wayne, and Weakley). However, CWD was detected in nearby Williamson County in December 2025, and the statewide ban on bear-feeding (TCA 70-4-116) and on placing food to attract or congregate wildlife for the purpose of hunting still applies in Sumner County.
Hendersonville Wildlife Feeding (TWRA Rules - Sumner NOT in CWD Zone)
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Title 10 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (Animal Control) follows the standard MTAS Tennessee municipal pattern: it is unlawful to allow cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, or domestic fowl to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot in the corporate city limits. Larger livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine) is not authorized on standard city residential lots and is functionally limited to the largest RR (Residential Rural) tracts inside Hendersonville. Outside the city, the Sumner County Zoning Resolution administered by the Sumner County Planning Department generally permits agricultural use including livestock in most rural districts. Field enforcement is performed by Hendersonville Animal Control (615-264-5355) inside the city and by Sumner County Animal Control (Gallatin) in unincorporated areas.
Hendersonville Livestock (Title 10 + Zoning - Limited to RR District in City)
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Sumner County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hendersonville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Sumner County →