Pet Limits: Austin vs Nashville
How do pet limits rules compare between Austin, TX and Nashville, TN?
Austin and Nashville have similar restriction levels.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Austin City Code Section 3-2-7 limits households to three dogs and three cats over four months old without an animal-establishment permit. Larger numbers require a kennel, foster, or rescue authorization with inspection, zoning compliance, and welfare standards.
View full Austin rules →Nashville, TN
Davidson County
Metro Title 5 limits the number of dogs and cats a household may keep without a kennel permit. Standard residential lots typically cap at a small number of each species, with kennel licensing required for higher counts.
View full Nashville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | Austin Code 3-2-7 | - |
| Dog limit | Three over four months | - |
| Cat limit | Three over four months | - |
| Foster carve-out | Through partner rescues | - |
| Severity | Moderate — civil fines | - |
| Default limit | - | Set in Metro Title 5 |
| Above limit | - | Kennel license required |
| Foster exception | - | Through approved rescues |
| HOA may add limits | - | Stricter than Metro |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
Can I keep four dogs in Austin?
Only with an animal-establishment permit treating the property as a kennel or rescue, which requires inspection and welfare compliance. Otherwise the cap is three dogs over four months per household under Section 3-2-7.
Do litters count toward the limit?
No. Puppies and kittens under four months old born in the home do not count toward the three-and-three household cap. Once they pass four months, they count and must be rehomed or covered by a permit.
Nashville FAQ
How many dogs can I have at home?
Metro Title 5 caps dogs and cats per household, with the exact number depending on lot size and zoning. Above the cap, you must apply for a kennel license through MACC.
Do fosters count toward my limit?
Animals fostered through MACC or an approved rescue typically do not count toward your household pet limit, provided the foster paperwork is current and animals stay temporarily.
Compare other topics
See how Austin and Nashville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool