Animal Ordinances in Jackson, TN (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Jackson, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Jackson Municipal Code § 10-211 lets City of Jackson, Tennessee homeowners keep up to six hens, never roosters, in a single-family yard, but requires a covered or 42-inch fenced enclosure, a predator-resistant henhouse with at least two square feet per hen, and a 100-foot setback from every abutting property line. Commercial sales, breeding, and slaughtering are banned.
Jackson, TN Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsJackson Municipal Code § 10-211
(2)Number and type of chickens allowed.(a)Up to six (6) domesticated chickens may be allowed on single family properties with privately-owned, individual yards. Multi-family residences with shared outdoor spaces and community property are prohibited from housing chickens. ... (4)Fenced enclosures and henhouses.(a)Hens must be kept in a fenced enclosure at all times. The fenced enclosure must be...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Jackson, Tennessee it is unlawful under Jackson Municipal Code § 10-102 to let a dog or any other animal run at large on public streets, alleys, and parks, or wander onto another person's property. Animal control officers and Jackson police enforce the ban, and tethering dogs in shared apartment-complex or duplex courtyards is separately prohibited without the landlord's written permission.
Jackson, TN Dog At-Large Leash Law
Some RestrictionsJackson Municipal Code § 10-102
It shall be unlawful for any person raising, owning and/or keeping any dog or other animal to permit any such creature to run at large upon the public streets, avenues, alleys, parks or other public property of the city, or to willfully suffer or permit any dog or other animal to run at large or to go upon the premises owned or in possession of or under the control of any other person in the ci...
Breed Restrictions
Jackson does not ban dogs by breed; instead, Jackson Municipal Code § 10-301 defines a 'vicious dog' by its bite or attack history, and city court can declare a dog vicious under § 10-302 after a hearing. Owners of a declared vicious dog must confine, muzzle, leash, sign-post, and insure it under § 10-306, with fifty-dollar-per-day fines under § 10-314.
Jackson, TN Vicious Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsJackson Municipal Code §§ 10-301, 10-306, 10-314
"Vicious dog" means any dog, that according to the records of the appropriate authority has:(1)Aggressively bitten, attacked, or has otherwise inflicted injury on a human being on public or private property;(2)Severely injured or killed a human being. ... (2)Leash and muzzle. The owner of a vicious dog shall not allow the dog to go outside its kennel, pen or structure unless the dog is muzzled,...
Cat Rules
The City of Jackson, Tennessee requires every cat six months or older to be vaccinated against rabies under Jackson Municipal Code § 10-105.2, with proof consisting of a veterinarian-signed certificate listing the vaccine's manufacturer, lot number, and revaccination date. Kittens may be vaccinated as young as three months, and an unvaccinated cat past six months is automatically noncompliant.
Jackson, TN Cat Rabies Vaccination Rule
Some RestrictionsJackson Municipal Code § 10-105.2
(1)All persons owning, keeping or harboring any dog or cat six (6) months of age or older shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies pursuant to T.C.A. 68-8-103. ... (3)Dogs and cats may be vaccinated as early as three (3) months of age but will be considered as noncompliant with this section if over six (6) months of age and unvaccinated. ... (5)Evidence of rabies vaccination shall consis...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Jackson Municipal Code § 10-105 bars owning an unaltered dog or cat over six months old within the City of Jackson, Tennessee unless the owner pays a twenty-dollar annual unaltered-animal fee to the Jackson Animal Care Center or qualifies for one of nine listed exemptions, such as service dogs, working livestock dogs, or a veterinarian-certified health reason. Violations carry a fifty-dollar-per-day fine.
Jackson, TN Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law
Significant RestrictionsJackson Municipal Code §§ 10-105, 10-107, 10-108
No person shall own, harbor, or keep within the City of Jackson. a dog over the age or six (6) months or a cat over the age of six (6) months which has not been spayed or neutered. Anyone with an unaltered cat over the age of six (6) months or dog over the age of six (6) months, if unaltered for any other reason than described below, is required to pay an annual fee in the amount of twenty doll...