Animal Ordinances in Smyrna, TN (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Smyrna, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee, no one can keep chickens, other domestic fowl, cows, horses, goats, or similar livestock within 1,000 feet of any residence, place of business, or public street. The only carve-outs are agriculturally zoned lots of at least five acres and lawful farming operations.
Chickens and Livestock Rules in Smyrna, Tennessee
Significant RestrictionsSmyrna Municipal Code §§ 10-101, 10-102
(1)It shall be unlawful for any person owning or being in charge of any cows, swine, sheep, horses, mules or goats, or any chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or other domestic fowl, cattle, or livestock, to knowingly or negligently permit any of them to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot within the corporate limits. ... No person shall keep or allow any animal or fowl enumerated...
Dog Leash Laws
In the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee, it is unlawful to knowingly permit a dog you own or control to run at large within the corporate limits. Owners can be prosecuted even after a loose dog is picked up, and police can seize and impound it.
Dogs Running at Large in Smyrna, Tennessee
Some RestrictionsSmyrna Municipal Code § 10-203
(1)It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to permit any dog or cat owned by him or her or under his or her control to run at large within the corporate limits.(2)Any person, including its owner, knowingly or negligently permitting a dog or cat to run at large may be prosecuted under this section even if the dog or cat is picked up and disposed of under other provisions of this chapter, w...
Breed Restrictions
In the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee, the code regulates a dog by behavior, not breed: no one can own or keep a dog known to be vicious or dangerous unless it is confined or securely restrained to protect other animals and persons. No breed is named.
Vicious and Dangerous Dog Rule in Smyrna, Tennessee
Light RestrictionsSmyrna Municipal Code § 10-204
(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep any dog known to be vicious or dangerous unless such dog is so confined and/or otherwise securely restrained as to provide reasonably for the protection of other animals and persons.(2)A violation of this section shall subject the offender to a penalty under the general penalty provision of this code.
Cat Rules
In the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee, it is unlawful to own, keep, or harbor a cat that is not vaccinated against rabies and registered under the state Anti-Rabies Law, or that does not wear a tag showing it. Cats running at large can be seized and impounded.
Cat Vaccination and Tag Rules in Smyrna, Tennessee
Some RestrictionsSmyrna Municipal Code §§ 10-201, 10-202
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor any dog or cat without having the same duly vaccinated against rabies and registered in accordance with the provisions of the state's Anti-Rabies Law, T.C.A. § 68-8-101 et seq. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor any dog or cat which does not wear a tag evidencing the vaccination and registration required by...
Pet Store Rules
In the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee, it is unlawful for a retail pet store to sell or offer for sale a dog or cat. Stores can host a shelter or rescue's adoption showcase if they hold no ownership interest and take no fee. Each violation is fined $50.
Retail Dog and Cat Sale Ban in Smyrna, Tennessee
Heavy RestrictionsSmyrna Municipal Code § 10-210
(1)It shall be unlawful for a retail pet store to sell or offer for sale a dog or cat.(2)Nothing in subsection (1) shall prohibit a retail pet store from providing space to either an animal shelter or animal rescue organization, as those terms are defined in this section, for the purpose of showcasing dogs or cats available for adoption; provided that the pet store shall have no ownership inter...
Looking for Rutherford County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Smyrna city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Rutherford County →