Shelby County's animal Code Chapter 4 does not set backyard-chicken or poultry limits; it only bars livestock from running at large (Sec. 4-171). Where chickens and farm animals may be kept in the unincorporated county is governed by the joint Memphis and Shelby County zoning code, by district.
Chapter 4 regulates dogs and cats and, in Article IV, livestock running at large; it does not license backyard chickens or cap poultry numbers. Sec. 4-140 lets the board regulate the numbers and types of animals kept in residentially zoned areas, but a code note records that no such rules were enacted. In practice, whether you may keep chickens or livestock on a parcel in the unincorporated county turns on its zoning district under the joint Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code, with agricultural and larger-lot residential districts generally more permissive. Sec. 4-171 makes it unlawful to willfully allow livestock to run at large, mirroring T.C.A. 44-8-401. Confirm the parcel's zoning before adding hens or farm animals.
Keeping poultry or livestock where zoning prohibits it is a zoning violation enforced by county planning and development, not the animal Code. Allowing livestock to run at large violates Sec. 4-171 and is fined $10 to $50 under Sec. 4-175.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
shelby-county-tn
Backyard composting is allowed in Shelby County and has no dedicated permit, but compost and organic material must be managed so it does not become harmful v...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no ordinance banning or specially permitting artificial turf. Synthetic turf is not counted as living landscaping under the Unified Develop...
shelby-county-tn
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code favors native landscaping, directing that trees and shrubs be predominately hardy Tennessee native spe...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially licensing residential rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and cisterns are generally allowed, and Tenn...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no mandatory outdoor watering schedule. Water is supplied by Memphis Light, Gas and Water from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, and MLGW promotes ...
shelby-county-tn
The Code of Shelby County authorizes the county to compel owners of unincorporated property to cut rank weeds, grasses, and underbrush deemed a health or tra...
See how Shelby County's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.