Backyard Chickens in Knoxville, Tennessee

What the Knoxville Rules Say

Knoxville Municipal Code Section 5-107 regulates domesticated chickens. The reviewed official code page requires hens to be kept for personal use, secured within a henhouse during non-daylight hours, and provided with a covered, predator-resistant henhouse plus a fenced enclosure.

The commonly cited limit under Knoxville’s domesticated hen rule is 6 hens. Roosters are not allowed.

The code also requires proper ventilation, sanitation, and construction that resists access by rodents, wild birds, and predators.

What This Means in Plain English

Knoxville allows backyard hens, but the flock needs to be permitted, small, and well-contained. Plan for no more than 6 hens, no roosters, and a clean enclosure built for predators and weather.

Practical Considerations

Permit

Start with the animal control permit process before buying birds. Permit rules can be enforced if the coop creates health, safety, odor, or nuisance issues.

Coop and Run

Plan at least 2 square feet per hen in the henhouse and 6 square feet per bird in the fenced enclosure, matching the common Tennessee urban-hen standard used in Knoxville’s code language.

Personal Use

Hens are for personal use. Do not plan on breeding, selling eggs commercially from the backyard, or keeping roosters.

Getting Started

1. Confirm the current Knoxville permit process.
2. Plan for 6 hens or fewer.
3. Do not keep roosters.
4. Build a covered, predator-resistant henhouse and fenced enclosure.
5. Keep hens secured at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have chickens in Knoxville, TN?

Yes. Knoxville allows domesticated hens with permit and enclosure requirements.

How many hens can I have in Knoxville?

The commonly cited limit is 6 hens.

Are roosters allowed in Knoxville?

No. Knoxville does not allow roosters under the domesticated hen rule.