Animal Ordinances in Kingsport, TN (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Kingsport, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, backyard chickens, rabbits, sheep and goats are an accessory use in the UAE (Urban Agricultural Estate) district, capped at 25 animals in any one combination, with one rooster and coops at least 35 feet from every boundary line. Sec. 114-202 sets the rules.
Kingsport TN Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsKingsport Code § 114-202
(c)Accessory buildings and uses. Uses permitted as accessory to the principal use include the following: ... f.Chickens, rabbits, sheep and goats for the use of the residents of the premises only; provided;i.No more than 25 of any one combination of such fowl or animals may be kept on the premises;ii.Any chickens kept on the premises shall be confined within an aviary or the like, or have their...
Dog Leash Laws
Section 14-33 of the Kingsport Code makes it unlawful in the City of Kingsport, Tennessee to permit a dog to run at large anywhere except the owner's own premises or a city designated dog park. A dog is not running at large if a person actually in control of it holds it by leash. Animal control officers can impound violators.
Kingsport Dog Running at Large and Leash Rule
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 14-33
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing or harboring a dog to permit it to run at large at any place except on the premises of such person or in any city designated dog park. However, a dog shall not be deemed running at large if accompanied by a person actually in control of such dog by leash.
Breed Restrictions
Section 14-34 of the Kingsport Code makes it unlawful in the City of Kingsport, Tennessee to keep a vicious dog unless it is kept securely confined upon its own premises. The definition turns on conduct, a prior bite of a person or animal or fits of rage, and names no breed.
Kingsport Vicious Dog Rule and Confinement Duty
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 14-34
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep a vicious dog, unless it is kept securely confined upon its own premises. A vicious dog shall be deemed as one that has previously bitten a person or another animal or that is subject to fits of rage during which it may attack, bite or jump on a person or other animal in such a manner as to cause physical harm.
Wildlife Feeding
Sec. 66-110 of the Kingsport Code makes it unlawful to feed, or allow to be fed, any waterfowl or shorebirds in or upon any park or recreation area in the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, except in areas designated for the purpose. The parks and recreation director designates suitable feeding areas.
Kingsport Waterfowl Feeding Ban in City Parks
Light RestrictionsKingsport Code § 66-110
It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or allow to be fed any waterfowl or shorebirds in or upon any park or recreation area, except in areas designated for this purpose. The director of parks and recreation may designate suitable areas for the feeding of waterfowl and shorebirds.
Pet Limits
Section 14-35 of the Kingsport Code makes it unlawful in the City of Kingsport, Tennessee to keep over five canines over 12 months of age on any premises. The head of the household is responsible for a violation, and kennels are handled under chapter 114 instead.
Kingsport Limit of Five Dogs per Premises
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 14-35
Except as permitted in chapter 114 for kennels, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep over five canines over 12 months of age on any premises. For the purpose of this section, the head of the household shall be responsible for any violation of this section.
Cat Rules
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, an owner cannot suffer or permit a cat to run at large under section 14-5 of the Kingsport Code, and section 14-59 makes it unlawful to own a cat without the state-required rabies inoculation. Section 14-60 requires a metal inoculation tag on a collar at all times, and section 14-61 requires the owner to carry the certificate.
Kingsport Cat At-Large and Rabies Tag Rules
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 14-5, 14-59, 14-60, 14-61
It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any animal he owns or that is under his care, custody or control to run at large; provided, however, that dogs are subject to section 14-33. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to ... own a dog or cat that does not have the rabies inoculation required by state law. ... Each person who owns or has a dog or cat under his control shall, u...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, animal hospitals are a principal use in the B-3 Highway Oriented Business District under Sec. 114-195. The B-2 Central Business District prohibits them, and the A-1 Agricultural District allows commercial kennels and veterinary facilities only as a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Kingsport TN Animal Hospital Zoning in B-3 (Sec. 114-195)
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 114-195
(a)Principal uses. Principal uses and other substantially similar uses permitted in the B-3, Highway Oriented Business District area as follows:(1)Ambulance services; animal hospitals; antennas; antique shops; artist studios;
Bird Protection
The entire City of Kingsport, Tennessee is designated a bird sanctuary under section 14-3 of the Kingsport Code, and section 14-4 makes it unlawful to trap, shoot, hunt or molest any bird or wild fowl, or to rob a nest. The chief of police directs the destruction of nuisance flocks such as starlings, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is exempt from the permit requirement.
Kingsport Bird Sanctuary and Bird Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 14-3, 14-4
The entire area within the city is designated a bird sanctuary. ... It shall be unlawful to trap, shoot, hunt or attempt to shoot or molest in any manner any bird or wild fowl or to rob birds' nests or wild fowl nests. However, if starlings or similar birds are found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality that they constitute a nuisance or menace to health or property, in t...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kingsport city rules.
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