10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
The county animal code sets no cap on backyard chickens, but Article XXIV makes it unlawful to let any chicken or fowl run at large onto another person's property. Where you may keep fowl is set by county zoning, not by PAWS.
PAWS Rules & Regs, Art. XXIV
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any chicken or other fowl, as defined in these Rules and Regulations, to permit it to run at large upon the premises of any other person.
Dogs and cats may not run at large in unincorporated Rutherford County. Off the owner's property an animal must be leashed and controlled by a person able to restrain it. Violations bring impoundment and fines under the county PAWS Rules.
PAWS Rules & Regs, Art. I (Definitions); Art. IX
"Properly restrained" means (i) controlled by a competent person over eighteen (18) years of age by means of a chain, leash, or other like device not to exceed six foot (6') in length
Rutherford County has no breed-specific ban. Its dangerous-dog rules cannot label a dog dangerous based solely on breed. Truly dangerous dogs are regulated by behavior through General Sessions Court, and state law allows destruction of a dog that kills or seriously injures.
PAWS Rules & Regs, Art. XXV, §9; T.C.A. §44-17-120
No such designation as a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog or any other similar such designation shall be recognized by Rutherford County if such designation is based solely on the breed of the dog.
The county animal code (PAWS) does not regulate honeybees. Where you can keep hives is governed by zoning and Tennessee's state apiary and right-to-farm law, not by PAWS. Confirm hive placement with county planning or your city before setting up.
PAWS Rules focus on dogs, cats, fowl, and livestock and set no general exotic-pet list. Tennessee state law—not the county—controls inherently dangerous wildlife: a Class I permit is required to possess animals like big cats, bears, and venomous reptiles.
The county animal Rules (PAWS) contain no ban on feeding deer, birds, or other wildlife. Wildlife is regulated by the state Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and problem feeding is generally addressed through nuisance or zoning rather than a specific county ordinance.
In unincorporated Rutherford County livestock is common and largely governed by zoning, but the PAWS Rules make it unlawful to let livestock run at large on streets or on another's land. Impounded large animals can be redeemed, sold, or euthanized.
PAWS Rules & Regs, Art. XXIII
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or controlling any livestock, as defined in these Rules and Regulations, to allow such animals to run at large in the streets or on any privately owned land in the county without the permission of such landowner.
The county has no ordinance using the word 'hoarding,' but the PAWS Rules make neglect and cruelty unlawful and let officers seize animals kept without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. Serious cases are prosecuted under state cruelty law.
PAWS Rules & Regs, Art. XVI; Art. XIX
It shall be unlawful for any person to neglect an animal as neglect is defined in these Rules and Regulations.
Rutherford County's animal Rules set no numeric cap on how many dogs or cats you may own. Instead, animals that habitually disturb neighbors are controlled as a 'public nuisance,' and every dog and cat over three months must be licensed and vaccinated.
Cats fall under the same at-large, licensing, and rabies rules as dogs, but 'community cats' are exempt from the running-at-large prohibition. Every owned cat over three months needs a $5 county license and a rabies vaccination.
PAWS Rules & Regs, Art. XVIII
Any person who owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the County shall have such dog or cat inoculated or immunized against rabies.
1 cities in Rutherford County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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