Rodent Exterminators in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro's weeds and refuse rules, in Chapter 14 of the City Code, are written for the "owner". Section 14-51 decides when a tenant counts as one. It covers weeds, grass, rubbish, garbage and vehicles only.

Section 14-51 says nothing about rats or mice. Who clears pests from a rental is a different rule, in the property code table further down.

Single-family detached homes make up 52.8% of Murfreesboro's housing units, against 67.5% across Rutherford County, and 31.6% of units are in buildings of five or more, against 19.0% countywide.

In a rented home, rats or mice raise two questions: who handles the pests inside, and who keeps the yard and trash in order. The code answers them in different places, so check both tables on this page.

Murfreesboro's cart rules, in Sections 14-6 and 14-117, give no reason tied to rodents. Following them closely is still sound rat prevention, because a closed cart with bagged trash leaves little food out.

• Bag and tie everything: All refuse goes in a tied plastic bag inside the City-issued cart, with nothing loose. A standard cart holds 96 gallons.
• Close the lid flat: The City will not collect if the lid is not closed flat, or if refuse sits outside or propped against the cart, except from December 26 to January 9.
• Set it out the evening before: A 6:00 p.m. start the night before is the earliest set-out time allowed, and by 6:00 a.m. on pickup day the cart should already be curbside.
• Bring it in on collection day: Carts come back by 6:00 p.m. on collection day and are stored out of sight from the street, never in the front yard. Other receptacles stay out of view except on collection day.

Sections 14-55 to 14-58 set out what the City does when weeds or refuse are not dealt with. Besides the steps below, Building and Codes employees or City police may issue citations to City Court.

• Notice, then appeal: Under Sections 14-55 to 14-58, the owner gets a notice to cut weeds or clear trash within ten days, and may appeal in writing within ten days, with a hearing before the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
• The City can do the work: If nothing is done, the City may cut or clean up itself and bill the full cost plus a 20% handling charge, place a lien on the property and collect unpaid costs as a special tax.
• How to complain: Building and Codes takes complaints by online form, by email to the Property Maintenance Clerk, or by phone at 615-893-3750, where you do not have to give your name.

None of this is a rodent rule. Still, UT Extension notes that rats shelter in refuse and lumber piles, so a neglected lot next door is worth reporting.

Through Ordinance 26-O-34, Murfreesboro has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 edition. The City's own changes leave Section 309, on pest elimination, as the model code writes it.

A short summary, not the full code text and not legal advice. In a rental, report rats or mice to the landlord in writing and keep a copy.