Animal Ordinances in Memphis, TN (2026)
16 verified animal ordinances for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Chicken and Livestock Rules in Memphis
Some RestrictionsDog 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).
Memphis Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Tennessee preempts all breed-specific legislation statewide. TN Code §44-17-120 prohibits cities from banning specific dog breeds. All regulation behavior-based.
Memphis Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
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.
Memphis Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic 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.
Memphis Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife 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.
Wildlife Feeding Rules in Memphis
Some RestrictionsLivestock
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.
Livestock Rules in Memphis
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal 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.
Memphis Animal Hoarding Enforcement
Heavy RestrictionsPet 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.
Memphis Household Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat 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.
Memphis Cat Licensing and Containment
Few RestrictionsMandatory 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.
Memphis Spay/Neuter at Adoption
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
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.
Memphis Microchip and License Rule
Some RestrictionsCoyote 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.
Memphis Coyote Management Approach
Few RestrictionsPet 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.
Memphis Pet Store Sourcing Rules
Some RestrictionsPet 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.
Memphis Pet Grooming Business Rules
Few RestrictionsVeterinary 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.