Backyard Chickens in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Chickens are legal in Murfreesboro — here's exactly what the ordinance requires.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
Yes — subject to local rules
- Hen limit
- No simple citywide maximum found
- Roosters
- Not allowed
- Permit
- No permit requirement found in reviewed rules
- Setback
- Murfreesboro Building and Codes should confirm current coop placement, zoning, and enclosure requirements before birds are purchased
- Zoning
- Reviewed public city sources did not provide a simple citywide hen-count chart; chickens must be kept contained and must not create nuisance, sanitation, or zoning issues
Last verified: May 2026
View Murfreesboro ordinance ↗Ordinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
What the Murfreesboro Rules Say
Murfreesboro’s public code and Building & Codes resources do not present backyard chickens as a simple, easy-to-summarize citywide hen chart. City residents should verify the current rules directly with Murfreesboro Building and Codes before buying hens or building a coop.
Local guidance and code-enforcement discussions indicate that chickens must be contained, and nuisance, sanitation, zoning, and property-maintenance rules can apply.
What This Means in Plain English
Backyard hens may be possible in Murfreesboro, but this is a verify-first city. Do not rely on a generic Tennessee rule. Contact Murfreesboro Building and Codes with your address, zoning, lot size, and proposed coop location.
Practical Considerations
Verify With the City
Ask whether your specific address allows chickens, whether a permit is required, how many hens are allowed, and whether roosters are prohibited.
Keep Birds Contained
Do not let chickens roam into neighboring yards. A secure coop and run are the safer planning assumption.
HOA and Subdivision Rules
Murfreesboro subdivisions and HOAs may have private restrictions that are stricter than city code.
Getting Started
- Contact Murfreesboro Building and Codes with your address.
- Ask for the current hen count, rooster rule, and coop placement requirements.
- Check HOA, lease, or subdivision restrictions.
- Plan a secure coop and run.
- Keep feed sealed and waste managed to prevent nuisance complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have chickens in Murfreesboro, TN?
Possibly, but residents should confirm current address-specific requirements with Murfreesboro Building and Codes before buying birds.
How many hens can I have in Murfreesboro?
The reviewed public city sources did not show a simple citywide hen maximum. Verify directly with the city.
Are roosters allowed in Murfreesboro?
Do not assume roosters are allowed. Confirm directly with Murfreesboro Building and Codes before keeping any rooster.
Next Steps for Murfreesboro Chicken Keepers
Verification Notice
This page was last verified against Murfreesboro's municipal code in May 2026. Ordinances change — always confirm current rules with your local city clerk before purchasing birds or building a coop.
View Murfreesboro Municipal Code ↗Get Backyard Chicken Updates for Tennessee
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