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Nashville, TN Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Business building ratproofing
Required, chief medical director enforces
Garbage/trash harborage
Unlawful if it could feed rats
Compliance deadline
At least 15 days after notice
Penalty
$50 per day, continuing offense
Satellite cities
Have their own separate codes

Summary

Metro Nashville requires business buildings to be ratproofed and bans letting garbage or trash pile up if it could feed or shelter rats, enforced by the Health Department's chief medical director.

It is unlawful for any person to place, leave, dump or permit to accumulate any garbage, rubbish or trash in any building or premises so that same shall or may afford food or harborage for rats.

Source: Metro Public Health DepartmentView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).

Full Breakdown

Metropolitan Code of Laws Chapter 10.32 makes it unlawful to let garbage, rubbish or trash accumulate on any building or premises if it could feed or shelter rats (§10.32.130), and separately requires every business building, hotels, restaurants, warehouses, stores and similar structures, to be ratproofed and kept rat-free under the chief medical director's supervision (§10.32.020). Owners get written notice and at least 15 days to ratproof, occupants seven days to eradicate an active rat infestation, before they're in violation. The rule reaches the whole Metro area covered by the health code, not just the six satellite cities, which keep their own codes.

Violations & Fines

Owners who miss the ratproofing deadline or occupants who don't eradicate rats within seven days are guilty of a code violation, punishable by a $50-per-day fine under the general Metro Code penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nashville's rat law apply to houses or just businesses?
The ratproofing mandate targets business buildings, but the ban on accumulating garbage or trash that could feed or shelter rats applies to any building or premises Metro-wide, residential included.
Who enforces Nashville's rodent control rules?
The Metro Health Department's chief medical director inspects business buildings, issues abatement notices, and can quarantine premises until rat infestations are corrected.
What happens if I ignore a rat abatement notice?
You're in violation of the Metro Code, punishable by a $50 fine for every day the violation continues, per the code's general penalty section.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Nashville

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All Nashville rules

Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee public health rules overview

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