Mount Juliet requires dogs on a leash on public property, sidewalks included. Two city bark parks allow dogs off leash; greenway leashes max 6 feet.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Rules come from the City of Mt. Juliet’s code of ordinances, Chapter 6, its parks FAQ and parks and greenways rules; places come from each one’s own website.
Mount Juliet has a leash law. City code requires anyone walking a dog on public property, sidewalks included, to keep it on a leash and under physical control at all times. Dogs can run off leash only inside one of the city’s two bark parks, at Jones Family Park and the South Mount Juliet Bark Park. On the city’s greenways, leashes can be no longer than 6 feet.
Who to call
- Loose or dangerous dog, animal control: Mt. Juliet Police non-emergency, 615-754-2550
- Dog parks and park rules: Mt. Juliet Parks and Recreation, 615-758-6522
- Long Hunter State Park: 615-885-2422
The rules
From Chapter 6 of the city code:
- Leash on public property (Sec. 6-28): a dog walked on public property, including sidewalks, must be on a leash and under physical control at all times.
- No running at large: owners and handlers may not knowingly or negligently let a dog run at large. At home, a dog can be kept in by traditional or electronic fencing in good condition, or by a tie-out or overhead cable run of at least 10 feet.
- Impound: animal control or police officers take unrestrained dogs to the city animal shelter; owners pay to get them back.
- Rabies (Sec. 6-32): dogs 3 months and older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, and every dog must wear a current rabies tag on its collar. Keep the certificate handy for animal control.
- Hot cars: the code bars leaving a dog or cat unattended in a parked car in a way that endangers its health or safety.
City dog parks
From the city’s parks pages and its parks and greenways map:
| Park | What’s there |
|---|---|
| South Mount Juliet Bark Park | Bark park, pavilion, playground and sand volleyball |
| Jones Family Park | Bark park, disc golf driving range and sand volleyball |
The city’s parks FAQ says dogs are welcome in city parks on a leash at all times, unless inside the dog park. At Mundy Memorial Park, 300 Mundy Memorial Drive, leashed pets are allowed but not in the football complex. More in parks and trails.
Greenways and trails
- City greenways, including the Cedar Creek Greenway from Charlie Daniels Park: open dawn to dusk, leashes no longer than 6 feet, and owners must clean up after pets, under the city’s greenway rules.
- Long Hunter State Park, 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage: leashed dogs are allowed on the 5.5-mile Volunteer Trail, the Cedar Glade Trail and the Deer Trail, the park says; the Reading Ranger Story Trail and the Bryant Grove Trail do not allow pets. Watch for ticks on the Deer Trail in warm months.
See walking and biking trails for distances.
Places that welcome dogs
- Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, about six miles west: its event listings say picnics and leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds.
- East Nashville Beer Works, Wilson County, in Lebanon, about nine miles east: the brewery calls itself family and dog friendly and says its Lebanon taproom has a beer garden, a playground and a dog park. Open every day at 11 a.m.
- Thanksgiving morning: the Tommy Crockett Memorial Rescue Run at Two Rivers Ford welcomes well-socialized, leashed dogs at the back of the pack. See Thanksgiving.
Where dogs are not allowed
- Breeden’s Orchard, 631 Beckwith Road: service animals only. The orchard says pets and its farm animals should not mix, dogs are not good for its peach groves, it has no space for a separate pet area, and pets add insurance costs.
- Long Hunter State Park’s Bryant Grove and Reading Ranger Story trails: no pets.
What this means for you
- Leash your dog on every sidewalk and in every city park outside the bark parks.
- Keep the leash at 6 feet or shorter on the greenways.
- Leave the dog home for Breeden’s Orchard.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mount Juliet have a leash law?
Yes. City code Sec. 6-28 says anyone walking a dog on public property, including sidewalks, must keep it on a leash and under physical control at all times, and owners may not let a dog run at large.
Where are the dog parks in Mount Juliet?
The city runs two bark parks: the South Mount Juliet Bark Park, which also has a pavilion, playground and sand volleyball, and the bark park at Jones Family Park, which also has a disc golf driving range. Dogs may be off leash only inside a dog park.
Are dogs allowed in Mount Juliet city parks?
Yes, on a leash at all times, the city says, except inside a dog park. On greenways the leash can be no longer than 6 feet, and owners must clean up after their pets. Mundy Memorial Park allows leashed pets but not in its football complex.
Can I bring my dog to Breeden’s Orchard?
No. Breeden’s Orchard allows only service animals, citing its farm animals, its peach groves, space and insurance.
Do dogs need a rabies tag in Mount Juliet?
Yes. City code requires dogs 3 months and older to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and to wear a current rabies tag on their collar.
Have your say