Tennessee Backyard Chicken Laws
Backyard chicken requirements vary by municipality and zoning. Find your researched Tennessee city or county below.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Tennessee?
Conditional — rules vary by municipality or zoning
- Hen limit
- Varies by city
- Roosters
- Varies by city; nuisance rules may also apply
- Permit
- Varies by municipality
- Setback
- Varies by municipality and zoning district
- Zoning
- Your city or county ordinance controls
Last verified: May 2026
Official source varies by municipalityOrdinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
7
Cities allow chickens
0
Cities ban chickens
0
Conditional rules
7
Cities covered
Important: Local zoning and animal ordinances determine whether a particular property qualifies. Confirm the city or county rule that applies to your address. HOA covenants can also be more restrictive.
Easiest cities
Strictest cities
Chattanooga
Up to 8 hens. Henhouses must comply with accessory-structure setback rules; enclosures are rear-yard only
Clarksville
Up to 8 hens. Coop and enclosure must be in the rear yard and 10 ft from rear and side property lines
Franklin
Up to 12 hens. Poultry structures must be at least 100 ft from any residence on an adjoining parcel; fencing must be at least 15 ft from other residential property lines
Knoxville
Up to 6 hens. Henhouses must comply with Knoxville zoning rules; covered predator-resistant henhouse and fenced enclosure required
Memphis
Up to 6 hens. Chicken structures must follow the Memphis/Shelby County Unified Development Code standards for enclosures, setbacks, feed storage, and sanitation
Murfreesboro
No fixed max. Murfreesboro Building and Codes should confirm current coop placement, zoning, and enclosure requirements before birds are purchased
Nashville
Up to 6 hens. Hen enclosures must be 25 ft from residential structures other than the permit holder's residence and 10 ft from property lines
About Tennessee Chicken Laws
Backyard chicken requirements in Tennessee vary across cities, counties, and zoning districts. Local rules address flock size, roosters, permits, coop setbacks, sanitation, and property qualifications.
Always verify rules directly with your city clerk or planning department before purchasing birds or building a coop. Laws change — our pages include a last-verified date and link directly to the municipal code for each city.
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