Pets Policies

There are over 60 City parks and green ways that allow pets. Renaissance Park, Ross' Landing, the Walnut Street Bridge, Miller Park, and the "Chattanooga Chew-Chew" off-leash dog park are fun places to take pets downtown.

At this time, Coolidge Park, the TN Aquarium Plaza, and the Tennessee Riverpark (beyond the Bluff View Art District) do not allow pets due to their design and the nature of their usage.

There are now 3 off-leash dog areas in Chattanooga. They are the "Chew-Chew" Park located at 1809 Reggie White Blvd. adjacent to the First Tennessee Pavilion, the new Off-Leash Dog Park in Heritage Park at 1428 Jenkins Road in East Brainerd, and the Off-Leash Dog Park at the Greenway Farm, 5150 Gann Store Road in Hixson. For information about getting an annual pass to the new Heritage Park-Off Leash Dog Park contact Stephanie Babbit at the McKamey Animal Center at 305-6502. Additional parks that are dog-friendly are Miller Park and Miller Plaza, the site of the summer Nightfall Concert Series, Renaissance Park in on the North Shore at Manufacturer's Road, Ross's Landing on the South shore of the Tennessee River Downtown, Heritage Park, South Chickamauga Greenway, North Chickamauga Greenway and Greenway Farm.

As of August 7, 2010 the Walnut Street Bridge now permits pets to walk from one side of the Tennessee River to the other.  Dogs are welcome on the bridge as along as they are kept on-leash and owners make sure they clean-up any waste left by their pet on the bridge.

Due to the growth of housing in the downtown and requests by downtown residents, Ross's Landing and the Walnut Street Bridge have been opened to dogs and dog owners. The City has signs and pet-waste stations along Riverfront Parkway.  Compliance with City Code leash laws, waste removal, and city license requirements will be strictly enforced.  Park rangers, animal control officers, and police will issue citations to pet owners that do not obey the rules, and such citations will result in fines and court costs.

DoGood Chattanooga-Citizens for a Dog Friendly Chattanooga! The City's Parks and Recreation Department is working with a dog owners' citizen group that is helping to develop and support programs for responsible dog ownership for those residing in, and visiting, downtown areas.  It is our hope that through education, awareness, and a commitment by dog owners to obey leash and waste removal laws, that more areas in the riverfront parks can be accessible to pets. More information available in oir Volunteer Section. 

Chattanooga City Code Chapter 26-7

(LEASH LAW) A. It shall be unlawful for any pet owner or custodian to permit any animal to run at large in any park or to enter any of the lakes, ponds, fountains, or streams therein, excluding any animal parks.

(WASTE REMOVAL) B. The owner or custodian of any animal shall be responsible for the removal of solid waste deposited by said animal.

(ENFORCEMENT) C. In the event of non-compliance action shall be taken by City Police, Animal Control  Officers, and/or Parks
Department Rangers and will result in citations and fines.
Licenses are required for all pets residing in the city.  This is in addition to the vet's proof of vaccination tags. The place for City of Chattanooga residents to get the required pet license/s is at the McKamey Animal Care & Pet Adoption Center
4500 N. Access Rd. Hixson, TN. 37415
Costs: Unaltered dog/cat  - $50.00  Altered dog/cat  - $10.00
Guardian 65 yrs. & Up with up to 3 altered dogs/cats - FREE
For more information about the licenses call: 423-305-6500