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

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Chicken permit fee: $25 per year
Henhouse space: 2 sq ft per hen
Livestock permit trigger: within 1,000 ft of residence (USD)
Hogs: banned in Urban Services District
Chicken violation fine: $50 per day

Summary

Metro Nashville requires a $25 annual permit from the department of health to keep domesticated hens outside agricultural-zoned land, and a separate livestock permit for cattle, sheep, horses or goats within 1,000 feet of a residence in the Urban Services District.

C. An annual permit issued by the department of health shall be required for the keeping of domesticated hens where allowed by Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code, provided that no permit shall be required for property that is zoned for agricultural uses except in the case of a school property as authorized by subsection N. of this section.

Source: Metro Animal Care and ControlView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).

Full Breakdown

Metro Code § 8.12.020 requires an annual $25 permit from the department of health to keep domesticated hens, unless the property is zoned agricultural under Title 17. Hens need a predator-proof henhouse (2 sq ft/bird) and fenced run (6 sq ft/bird), with waste composted or removed and no perceptible odor at the property line. Separately, § 8.20.100 requires a livestock permit from the chief medical director to keep cattle, sheep, horses, mules or goats within 1,000 feet of a residence in the Urban Services District, and § 8.20.130 bans keeping hogs there outright as a nuisance, except for licensed stockyards temporarily holding hogs for slaughter or shipment.

Violations & Fines

Violating the chicken permit rules carries a $50 fine per day, each day a separate offense; keeping hogs in the Urban Services District is declared an unlawful nuisance subject to enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Nashville?

Yes. Metro's department of health issues an annual $25 permit for domesticated hens, required everywhere except property zoned agricultural under Title 17.

Can I keep goats or horses in Nashville?

Only with a permit from the chief medical director if you're within 1,000 feet of a residence in the Urban Services District; the permit issues if it won't harm public health.

Are hogs legal in Nashville?

No, not in the Urban Services District. Metro Code § 8.20.130 declares keeping hogs there a nuisance and unlawful, aside from licensed stockyards temporarily holding hogs for slaughter.

Sources & Official References

[1]Metropolitan Code of Laws (Municode)

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How Nashville compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview

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