Metro Nashville allows backyard hens on residential parcels under Title 5, with coop setbacks, no roosters in most residential zones, and lot-size thresholds for goats, hogs, and larger livestock under Title 17 zoning.
Metro Code Title 5 and Title 17 zoning together govern domestic fowl and livestock in Davidson County. Single-family lots may keep a limited number of hens (commonly up to six in standard residential zones), provided coops sit a set distance from neighboring dwellings and property lines. Roosters are prohibited in most residential districts due to noise. Goats, hogs, horses, and cattle generally require Agricultural (AR2a) zoning or larger acreage. Coops must be sanitary, predator-proof, and rodent-resistant. Slaughter on site is prohibited in residential districts. Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) and Codes Department share enforcement. Sales of fresh eggs from a residence remain limited under Tennessee cottage food rules.
Civil penalties under Title 5 starting around $50 per violation, escalating per day. Codes citations for zoning noncompliance can reach $500 per day until remedied.
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See how Nashville's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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