diff --git a/app/controllers/forum_categories_controller.rb b/app/controllers/forum_categories_controller.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..42a0f8d5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/controllers/forum_categories_controller.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+class ForumCategoriesController < ApplicationController
+  respond_to :html
+  before_action :admin_only
+
+  def index
+    @forum_cats = ForumCategory.paginate(params[:page], limit: 50, order: "forum_categories.order ASC, forum_categories.id ASC")
+    @new_cat = ForumCategory.new
+    @user_levels = [['Anyone', 0]] + User.level_hash.to_a
+  end
+
+  def create
+    @cat = ForumCategory.create(category_params)
+    if @cat.valid?
+      ModAction.log(:forum_category_create, {forum_category_id: @cat.id})
+      flash[:notice] = "Category created"
+    else
+      flash[:notice] = @cat.errors.full_messages.join('; ')
+    end
+    redirect_to forum_categories_path
+  end
+
+  def destroy
+    @cat = ForumCategory.find(params[:id])
+    @cat.destroy
+    ModAction.log(:forum_category_delete, {forum_category_id: @cat.id})
+    respond_with(@cat)
+  end
+
+  def update
+    @cat = ForumCategory.find(params[:id])
+    @cat.update(category_params)
+
+    if @cat.valid?
+      ModAction.log(:forum_category_update, {forum_category_id: @cat.id})
+      flash[:notice] = "Category updated"
+    else
+      flash[:notice] = @cat.errors.full_messages.join('; ')
+    end
+    redirect_to forum_categories_path
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def category_params
+    params.require(:forum_category).permit([:name, :description, :can_create, :can_reply, :can_view, :order])
+  end
+end
diff --git a/app/controllers/forum_posts_controller.rb b/app/controllers/forum_posts_controller.rb
index fd9a48f35..6188551cd 100644
--- a/app/controllers/forum_posts_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/forum_posts_controller.rb
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ class ForumPostsController < ApplicationController
   def new
     if params[:topic_id]
       @forum_topic = ForumTopic.find(params[:topic_id]) 
-      raise User::PrivilegeError.new unless @forum_topic.visible?(CurrentUser.user)
+      raise User::PrivilegeError.new unless @forum_topic.visible?(CurrentUser.user) && @forum_topic.can_reply?(CurrentUser.user)
     end
     if params[:post_id]
       quoted_post = ForumPost.find(params[:post_id])
-      raise User::PrivilegeError.new unless quoted_post.topic.visible?(CurrentUser.user)
+      raise User::PrivilegeError.new unless quoted_post.topic.visible?(CurrentUser.user) && quoted_post.topic.can_reply?(CurrentUser.user)
     end
     @forum_post = ForumPost.new_reply(params)
     respond_with(@forum_post)
diff --git a/app/helpers/forum_topics_helper.rb b/app/helpers/forum_topics_helper.rb
index 2fc818be6..c4cc9186d 100644
--- a/app/helpers/forum_topics_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/forum_topics_helper.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 module ForumTopicsHelper
   def forum_topic_category_select(object, field)
-    select(object, field, ForumTopic.reverse_category_mapping.to_a)
+    select(object, field, ForumCategory.reverse_mapping)
   end
 
   def available_min_user_levels
diff --git a/app/models/forum_category.rb b/app/models/forum_category.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..722d5ceb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/models/forum_category.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+class ForumCategory < ApplicationRecord
+  has_many :forum_topics, -> { order(id: :desc) }
+  validates_uniqueness_of :name, case_sensitive: false
+
+  after_destroy :reassign_topics
+
+  def reassign_topics
+    ForumTopic.where(category: @cat.id).update_all(category_id: 0)
+  end
+
+  def can_create_within?(user = CurrentUser.user)
+    user.level >= can_create
+  end
+
+  def self.reverse_mapping
+    order(:cat_order).all.map { |rec| [rec.name, rec.id] }
+  end
+
+  def self.ordered_categories
+    order(:cat_order)
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/models/forum_post.rb b/app/models/forum_post.rb
index ead618b2c..a7a301491 100644
--- a/app/models/forum_post.rb
+++ b/app/models/forum_post.rb
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ class ForumPost < ApplicationRecord
   validate :validate_topic_is_unlocked
   validate :topic_id_not_invalid
   validate :topic_is_not_restricted, :on => :create
+  validate :category_allows_replies, on: :create
   before_destroy :validate_topic_is_unlocked
   after_save :delete_topic_if_original_post
   after_update(:if => ->(rec) {rec.updater_id != rec.creator_id}) do |rec|
@@ -158,6 +159,13 @@ class ForumPost < ApplicationRecord
     end
   end
 
+  def category_allows_replies
+    if topic && !topic.can_rely?(creator)
+      errors[:topic] << "does not allow replies"
+      return false
+    end
+  end
+
   def editable_by?(user)
     (creator_id == user.id || user.is_moderator?) && visible?(user)
   end
diff --git a/app/models/forum_topic.rb b/app/models/forum_topic.rb
index 0ebd67aeb..cda86f210 100644
--- a/app/models/forum_topic.rb
+++ b/app/models/forum_topic.rb
@@ -13,15 +13,17 @@ class ForumTopic < ApplicationRecord
 
   belongs_to_creator
   belongs_to_updater
+  belongs_to :category, class_name: "ForumCategory", foreign_key: :category_id
   has_many :posts, -> {order("forum_posts.id asc")}, :class_name => "ForumPost", :foreign_key => "topic_id", :dependent => :destroy
   has_one :original_post, -> {order("forum_posts.id asc")}, class_name: "ForumPost", foreign_key: "topic_id", inverse_of: :topic
   has_many :subscriptions, :class_name => "ForumSubscription"
   before_validation :initialize_is_deleted, :on => :create
   validates_presence_of :title, :creator_id
   validates_associated :original_post
-  validates_inclusion_of :category_id, :in => CATEGORIES.keys
+  validates_associated :category
   validates_inclusion_of :min_level, :in => MIN_LEVELS.values
   validates :title, :length => {:maximum => 255}
+  validate :category_allows_creation, on: :create
   accepts_nested_attributes_for :original_post
   after_update :update_orignal_post
   after_save(:if => ->(rec) {rec.is_locked? && rec.saved_change_to_is_locked?}) do |rec|
@@ -32,21 +34,21 @@ class ForumTopic < ApplicationRecord
     extend ActiveSupport::Concern
 
     module ClassMethods
-      def categories
-        CATEGORIES.values
-      end
-
-      def reverse_category_mapping
-        @reverse_category_mapping ||= CATEGORIES.invert
-      end
-
       def for_category_id(cid)
         where(:category_id => cid)
       end
     end
 
     def category_name
-      CATEGORIES[category_id]
+      return '(Unknown)' unless category
+      category.name
+    end
+
+    def category_allows_creation
+      if category && !category.can_create_within?(creator)
+        errors[:category] << "doesn't allow new topics"
+        return false
+      end
     end
   end
 
@@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ class ForumTopic < ApplicationRecord
     end
 
     def permitted
-      where("min_level <= ?", CurrentUser.level)
+      where("min_level <= ?", CurrentUser.level).joins(:category).where('forum_categories.can_view <= ?', CurrentUser.level)
     end
 
     def sticky_first
@@ -148,7 +150,11 @@ class ForumTopic < ApplicationRecord
   end
 
   def visible?(user)
-    user.level >= min_level
+    user.level >= min_level && user.level >= category.can_view
+  end
+
+  def can_reply?(user = CurrentUser.user)
+    user.level >= category.can_reply
   end
 
   def create_mod_action_for_delete
diff --git a/app/views/forum_categories/index.html.erb b/app/views/forum_categories/index.html.erb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d187704da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/views/forum_categories/index.html.erb
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+<div id="c-forum-categories">
+  <div id="a-index">
+    <p>Note: If any levels are set to "Member", logged-out users will not be able to use that category. Use "Anyone" as
+      the default.</p>
+    <div class="box-section">
+      <h4>New Category</h4>
+      <%= simple_form_for(@new_cat) do |f| %>
+        <%= f.input :name %>
+        <%= f.input :description %>
+        <%= f.input :can_create, collection: @user_levels %>
+        <%= f.input :can_reply, collection: @user_levels %>
+        <%= f.input :can_view, collection: @user_levels %>
+        <%= f.button :submit, "Create" %>
+      <% end %>
+    </div>
+
+    <% @forum_cats.each do |fp| %>
+      <div class="box-section">
+        <h4><%= fp.name %></h4>
+        <%= simple_form_for(fp) do |f| %>
+          <%= f.input :name %>
+          <%= f.input :description %>
+          <%= f.input :can_create, collection: @user_levels, selected: fp.can_create %>
+          <%= f.input :can_reply, collection: @user_levels, selected: fp.can_reply %>
+          <%= f.input :can_view, collection: @user_levels, selected: fp.can_view %>
+          <%= f.button :submit, "Update" %>
+        <% end %>
+
+        <%= link_to "Delete", forum_category_path(id: fp.id), method: :delete, remote: true, 'data-confirm': 'Are you sure you want to delete this category?' %>
+      </div>
+    <% end %>
+
+    <div id="paginator">
+      <%= numbered_paginator(@forum_cats) %>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<% content_for(:secondary_links) do %>
+  <menu>
+    <%= subnav_link_to "Forum Topics", forum_posts_path %>
+    <%= subnav_link_to "Help", help_page_path(id: 'forum') %>
+  </menu>
+<% end %>
diff --git a/app/views/forum_topics/index.html.erb b/app/views/forum_topics/index.html.erb
index f59fd4af6..e9c1d319d 100644
--- a/app/views/forum_topics/index.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/forum_topics/index.html.erb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
       <% if CurrentUser.is_moderator? %>
         <%= link_to "Mod+", forum_topics_path(:search => {:mod_only => true}) %>,
       <% end %>
-      <%= ForumTopic::CATEGORIES.map {|id, name| link_to_unless_current(name, forum_topics_path(:search => {:category_id => id}))}.join(", ").html_safe %>
+      <%= ForumCategory.ordered_categories.all.map {|rec| link_to_unless_current(rec.name, forum_topics_path(:search => {:category_id => rec.id}))}.join(", ").html_safe %>
     </p>
 
     <%= render "listing", :forum_topics => @forum_topics %>
diff --git a/config/routes.rb b/config/routes.rb
index a57c006a3..f31ac2440 100644
--- a/config/routes.rb
+++ b/config/routes.rb
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ Rails.application.routes.draw do
     end
     resource :visit, :controller => "forum_topic_visits"
   end
+  resources :forum_categories
   resources :help_pages, controller: "help", path: "help"
   resources :ip_bans
   resources :upload_whitelists do
diff --git a/db/migrate/20190418093745_create_forum_categories.rb b/db/migrate/20190418093745_create_forum_categories.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..57058d829
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20190418093745_create_forum_categories.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+class CreateForumCategories < ActiveRecord::Migration[5.2]
+  def change
+    create_table :forum_categories do |t|
+      t.string :name, null: false
+      t.text :description
+      t.integer :cat_order
+      t.integer :can_view, default: 20, null: false
+      t.integer :can_create, default: 20, null: false
+      t.integer :can_reply, default: 20, null: false
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/structure.sql b/db/structure.sql
index aed94c90d..dabcf1a54 100644
--- a/db/structure.sql
+++ b/db/structure.sql
@@ -878,6 +878,40 @@ CREATE SEQUENCE public.favorites_id_seq
 ALTER SEQUENCE public.favorites_id_seq OWNED BY public.favorites.id;
 
 
+--
+-- Name: forum_categories; Type: TABLE; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+CREATE TABLE public.forum_categories (
+    id bigint NOT NULL,
+    name character varying NOT NULL,
+    description text,
+    cat_order integer,
+    can_view integer DEFAULT 20 NOT NULL,
+    can_create integer DEFAULT 20 NOT NULL,
+    can_reply integer DEFAULT 20 NOT NULL
+);
+
+
+--
+-- Name: forum_categories_id_seq; Type: SEQUENCE; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+CREATE SEQUENCE public.forum_categories_id_seq
+    START WITH 1
+    INCREMENT BY 1
+    NO MINVALUE
+    NO MAXVALUE
+    CACHE 1;
+
+
+--
+-- Name: forum_categories_id_seq; Type: SEQUENCE OWNED BY; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+ALTER SEQUENCE public.forum_categories_id_seq OWNED BY public.forum_categories.id;
+
+
 --
 -- Name: forum_post_votes; Type: TABLE; Schema: public; Owner: -
 --
@@ -2636,6 +2670,13 @@ ALTER TABLE ONLY public.favorite_groups ALTER COLUMN id SET DEFAULT nextval('pub
 ALTER TABLE ONLY public.favorites ALTER COLUMN id SET DEFAULT nextval('public.favorites_id_seq'::regclass);
 
 
+--
+-- Name: forum_categories id; Type: DEFAULT; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+ALTER TABLE ONLY public.forum_categories ALTER COLUMN id SET DEFAULT nextval('public.forum_categories_id_seq'::regclass);
+
+
 --
 -- Name: forum_post_votes id; Type: DEFAULT; Schema: public; Owner: -
 --
@@ -3099,6 +3140,14 @@ ALTER TABLE ONLY public.favorites
     ADD CONSTRAINT favorites_pkey PRIMARY KEY (id);
 
 
+--
+-- Name: forum_categories forum_categories_pkey; Type: CONSTRAINT; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+ALTER TABLE ONLY public.forum_categories
+    ADD CONSTRAINT forum_categories_pkey PRIMARY KEY (id);
+
+
 --
 -- Name: forum_post_votes forum_post_votes_pkey; Type: CONSTRAINT; Schema: public; Owner: -
 --
@@ -4760,6 +4809,7 @@ INSERT INTO "schema_migrations" (version) VALUES
 ('20190403174011'),
 ('20190409195837'),
 ('20190410022203'),
-('20190413055451');
+('20190413055451'),
+('20190418093745');