Franklin, TN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Sec. 10-102 of Franklin's animal control chapter prohibits keeping any of the animals or fowl listed in Sec. 10-101, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, other domestic fowl, cattle, and livestock, within 1,000 feet of any residence, place of business, or public street unless the keeper first obtains a permit from the health officer. The health officer may issue that permit only after judging that keeping the animal at that location, in the specific yard or building described in the application, will not injuriously affect public health. In practice, the 1,000-foot radius reaches nearly every residential lot in the city, so most backyard chicken-keeping requires this discretionary health department permit.