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Compare on Amazon →Backyard Chickens in Nashville, Tennessee
Chickens are legal in Nashville — here's exactly what the ordinance requires.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Nashville, Tennessee?
Yes — subject to local rules
- Hen limit
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Not allowed
- Permit
- Required — Annual domestic hen permit required; confirm current fee with Metro Animal Care and Control
- Setback
- Hen enclosures must be 25 ft from residential structures other than the permit holder's residence and 10 ft from property lines
- Zoning
- Hens only; parcel size determines whether 2, 4, or 6 hens are allowed; front-yard keeping is not allowed
Last verified: May 2026
View Nashville ordinance ↗Ordinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
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What the Nashville Rules Say
Metro Nashville allows domesticated hens in residential areas with a permit from the Metro Public Health Department / Animal Care and Control. Nashville’s code ties the number of hens to parcel size:
- 2 hens on parcels up to 5,009 square feet
- 4 hens on parcels from 5,010 to 10,236 square feet
- 6 hens on parcels of 10,237 square feet or more
Only hens are allowed. Roosters are expressly prohibited.
Metro Code Section 8.12.020 also requires a covered, predator-resistant henhouse and a fenced enclosure. The henhouse must provide at least 2 square feet per hen, and the fenced enclosure must provide at least 6 square feet per bird.
What This Means in Plain English
Backyard hens are legal in Nashville, but you need the permit and your lot size controls the flock limit. Most city lots will fall into the 2-, 4-, or 6-hen range. Do not keep roosters.
Practical Considerations
Placement
Nashville requires hens to be kept in side or rear yards. Front-yard keeping is not allowed. Side-yard hens and henhouses must be screened from public right-of-way view.
Setbacks
Plan the enclosure at least 25 feet from residential structures other than your own residence and at least 10 feet from property lines.
Sanitation
No perceptible odor from the hens or enclosure may be present at any property line. Feed must be stored in rodent- and predator-proof containers.
Getting Started
- Measure your parcel size.
- Confirm your allowed hen count.
- Apply for the domestic hen permit.
- Plan a side- or rear-yard enclosure that meets the setback rules.
- Keep only hens, not roosters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have chickens in Nashville, TN?
Yes. Nashville allows domesticated hens with a domestic hen permit.
How many hens can I have in Nashville?
The limit depends on parcel size: 2, 4, or 6 hens.
Are roosters allowed in Nashville?
No. Nashville expressly prohibits roosters.
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Recommended Setup for Nashville's Rules
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After checking the rules
Next Steps for Nashville Chicken Keepers
Verification Notice
This page was last verified against Nashville'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 Nashville Municipal Code ↗Get Backyard Chicken Updates for Tennessee
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