Knoxville, TN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Cattle, horses, sheep, goats
- Swine setback
- 500 ft from buildings
- Poultry setback
- 100 ft from buildings
- Permit issuer
- Animal shelter (revocable)
Summary
Knoxville bans cattle, horses, sheep and goats in residential areas without an animal-shelter permit, and bars swine or poultry citywide except under narrow exceptions with strict distance rules from neighboring buildings.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept cattle, horses, sheep or goats of any kind in any residential section within the corporate limits of the city unless applicable zoning laws allow and such person obtains a permit from the animal shelter.(b)Any person desiring to keep such animals on any premises within a residential section of the city shall petition the animal shelter for a permit to do so. The premises of the owner of the animals shall be subject to inspection by the animal shelter or by the county health department. Issuance by the animal shelter of a permit for the keeping of cattle, horses, sheep or goats of any kind within a residential section of the city shall signify that the owner's premises meet those standards necessary for the maintenance of sanitary conditions and proper husbandry practices. The permit shall be revocable by the animal shelter at any time the owner fails to maintain such standards. (Ord. No. O-484-93, § 1, 8-31-93; Ord. No. O-171-2023, § 1, 12-12-23)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
City code § 5-101 bars keeping cattle, horses, sheep or goats in any residential section unless zoning allows it and the owner obtains a permit from the animal shelter; premises are subject to inspection and the permit is revocable for failing to maintain sanitary conditions and proper husbandry. Section 5-102 separately bans swine or poultry within the city except under narrow exceptions, stock shows, licensed slaughterhouses, permitted potbellied pigs, permitted hens, and requires swine be kept at least 500 feet, and poultry at least 100 feet, from any occupied building, street, park, school or church, unless it's the animal owner's own property.
Violations & Fines
Keeping unpermitted cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine or poultry in a residential area is enforced by the animal shelter through municipal court; the animal shelter can revoke a livestock permit any time sanitary or husbandry standards lapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or goat in a Knoxville residential neighborhood?
How far must pigs be kept from neighboring homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
How Knoxville compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Knoxville to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.