Davidson County, TN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Metro Nashville's zoning code §17.16 permits the keeping of chickens, ducks, and similar domestic fowl in residential districts (R6, R8, R10, R15, R20, R30, R40, R80, RS, RM) as an accessory use, subject to setback requirements. Unlike many cities, Nashville has no strict numerical cap on hens as long as the coop meets zoning setbacks (typically 10 feet from property line, 25 feet from neighboring dwellings) and does not create a nuisance under Metro Code §8.12 (animals). Roosters are not expressly banned by number but are prohibited in practice because crowing violates the noise ordinance (Metro Code §11.12). Metro Animal Care and Control (615-862-7928) enforces animal welfare and nuisance complaints. Large livestock (cattle, horses, goats over 100 lbs, sheep, swine) are restricted to AR2a agricultural residential zoning, found in Bells Bend, Joelton, Whites Creek, Scottsboro, and portions of Pasquo. Tennessee Right-to-Farm Act (TCA §43-26-103) protects pre-existing farms from nuisance lawsuits when development encroaches, covering operations like the remaining farms in Scottsboro and Bells Bend. Tennessee Department of Agriculture regulates poultry disease (TCA §44-2). HOAs in Bellevue, Hermitage, Antioch, and Donelson commonly prohibit all livestock and poultry via CC&Rs. Belle Meade's satellite city code is particularly strict on livestock. Roosters crowing in Sylvan Park or East Nashville typically receive same-day Metro response.