Animal Ordinances in Memphis, TN (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Memphis regulates how livestock and fowl, including backyard chickens, may be kept within city limits. Section 8-4-1 bars keeping any livestock or fowl without sufficient water, shelter, ventilation, and food, and bars keeping them anywhere they become a nuisance from odor or contagious disease, while Section 8-4-5 bans selling chicks or ducklings as pets or novelties.
Memphis Livestock & Fowl Keeping Standards
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code §§ 8-4-1, 8-4-5
No livestock or fowl shall be kept or confined where the water, shelter, ventilation, and food are not sufficient and wholesome for the preservation of its health and safe condition. No animal or fowl shall be kept in such place or condition as to become a nuisance either because of odor or contagious disease. ... A.It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to display, sell, offer for...
Dog Leash Laws
Memphis requires dog owners to keep animals leashed, fenced, or otherwise restrained at all times, both on their own property and in public. Section 8-3-6 spells out exact standards for fencing, invisible fencing, and tethering, and requires physical control on a leash whenever a dog is walked on a sidewalk or another person's property.
Memphis Dog Leash & Restraint Requirements
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 8-3-6
A.Generally. Dog owners or custodians shall always keep animals on a leash or other suitable restraint (as defined in subpart C) or confined by a fence on their property or, with permission, the private property of another. Dogs shall be restrained to prevent the animal from being at-large; biting; harassing any person engaged in a lawful act; interfering with the use of public or private prope...
Breed Restrictions
Memphis has no breed ban; instead Chapter 8-20 declares individual dogs dangerous or vicious based on bite or attack history, then forces owners into registration, insurance, confinement and muzzling requirements.
Memphis Dangerous/Vicious Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances §§ 8-20-1, 8-20-2, 8-20-3, 8-20-4
Dangerous/vicious animal means any dog, or animal of the canine family, that according to 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; 3. Been used primarily, or in part, for the purpose of dog fighting or any other aggressive activity; 4....
Beekeeping
Memphis and Shelby County zoning permits backyard beekeeping but caps colonies by lot size, from 2 hives on a half acre or less up to 8 hives on a full acre or more, and every hive must sit at least 15 feet from any property line. Colonies must also be registered with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture under the state Apiary Act.
Memphis Backyard Beekeeping Hive Limits
Some RestrictionsMemphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code § 2.6.5.F
1. All colonies shall be duly registered with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as required by Tennessee Code Title 44, Chapter 15, (T.C.A. 44-15-101, et. seq.) the Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995, and shall adhere to all standards set forth in that Act. 2. Hives shall be placed no closer than 15 feet to any property line, measured from the nearest point on the hive to the property line. 3. ...
Pet Limits
Memphis Code § 8-16-10 makes it a misdemeanor to possess more than five companion animals while showing general disregard for their living conditions, including failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter and care.
Memphis Animal Hoarding Ordinance
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 8-16-10(B)-(C)
B. No person may possess, lodge, or maintain over five companion animals if such a person displays a general disregard for the conditions under which the animals are living, including, but not limited to, failing to provide all the following to all the companion animals in his care: adequate food, water, shelter, care and conditions. C. A person in violation of this section is guilty of a misde...
Cat Rules
Memphis requires every cat three months or older to have current proof of rabies vaccination, and it treats unidentified strays differently from owned cats. Section 8-5-10 lets Animal Services impound any cat found at large, but a stray with no tag or microchip is classified a 'community cat,' sterilized, ear-tipped, and returned to where it was found instead of held.
Memphis Cat Impoundment & Community Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 8-5-10
A.Impoundment.1.First impoundment. Any non-community cat found running at large, abandoned, or subject to neglect, cruelty or any of the conditions described Section 8-5-3 or is not in compliance with any other provision of this chapter may be apprehended and impounded in the city animal shelter, and the owner notified, if known. If such cat has any ownership identification (tag, microchip, etc...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Memphis requires every dog and cat kept in the city to be spayed or neutered unless the owner qualifies for a listed exemption or buys a fertile permit. Section 8-3-3 makes owning an intact pet without one of nine specific defenses a violation, and Section 8-3-4 lets owners of breeding-eligible animals pay for annual fertile status instead.
Memphis Mandatory Cat & Dog Spay/Neuter Law
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code § 8-3-3
No person shall own, harbor, or keep within the city a dog or cat which has not been spayed or neutered. It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:1.The animal is under six months old;2.A licensed veterinarian has certified within the past year that the dog or cat should not be spayed or neutered for health reasons or is permanently infertile;3.The animal is being held for adoption...
Microchipping
Memphis requires every dog and cat to be implanted with a registered microchip by six months old, or within 30 days of acquisition if the animal is older. Section 8-3-5 also makes owners keep their microchip registration current, update it within 30 days of a move, and re-register within 30 days of a change in ownership.
Memphis Mandatory Pet Microchipping Law
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 8-3-5
A.The owner or custodian of any dog or cat must have the animal implanted with a registered microchip before the animal is six months old or within 30 after acquired if over six months.B.A dog or cat is exempt from this requirement if the dog or cat is determined in writing to be medically unsuitable for microchipping by a licensed veterinarian.C.The owner or custodian of a dog or cat shall mai...
Pet Groomer Rules
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code lists animal hospitals and kennels, including animal grooming and boarding, among the uses that cannot operate as a home occupation anywhere in Memphis or unincorporated Shelby County. A groomer instead must locate as a Retail Sales and Service business under UDC Section 2.9.4.H, the same commercial use category as veterinary clinics, kennels and pet day cares.
Memphis Bans Pet Grooming as Home Business
Significant RestrictionsMemphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code §§ 2.7.4.A(13), 2.9.4.H
A. Prohibited Home Occupations The following uses are not permitted as home occupations. ... 13. Animal hospitals and kennels, including animal grooming and boarding.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Memphis and Shelby County zoning lets veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, pet clinics, boarding facilities, shelters, and kennels operate only under strict outdoor-run limits: open-air runs are allowed solely in the CA, CMU, EMP, WD, and IH districts, and everywhere else all overnight animal care, pens, kennels, and runs must stay fully enclosed inside a building.
Memphis Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code § 2.6.3.H
H. Animal Hospital, Veterinary Clinic, Pet Clinic, Animal Boarding, Animal Shelter, Kennel 1. In the CA, CMU, EMP, WD, IH districts, outdoor runs are permitted. 2. In all other districts, outdoor runs are not permitted. All overnight care of animals must occur indoors. All pens, kennels and runs must be located within an enclosed building.
Bird Protection
Memphis makes it unlawful to kill or attempt to kill any wild bird within city limits, with a specific carve-out for pigeons. Section 8-4-4 lets residential and commercial property owners remove or destroy pigeons and other birds on their own property, or hire a licensed pest control company to do it, but firearms are expressly banned as a method.
Memphis Bird & Pigeon Killing Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code § 8-4-4
A.The killing or attempting to kill any bird, other than domestic fowl, within the limits of the city, is prohibited, except as hereafter provided.B.For control purposes and to alleviate public distress, and to promote public health, owners of private residential property and public commercial property are authorized to destroy or otherwise remove pigeons and/or birds located within the boundar...
Looking for Shelby County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Memphis city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Shelby County →