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📍 City Guide — Nashville, TN

Nashville Metro Chicken Ordinance: Use Permit, Setbacks & Metro vs. County Rules

Nashville-Davidson County's consolidated metro government creates a unique situation for backyard chicken-keepers: Metro Nashville rules and surrounding county (Williamson, Rutherford) rules differ significantly. Here's the complete breakdown.

Nashville Metro Quick Summary
Maximum hens: 6 (Metro Nashville) · Roosters: Not permitted in residential zones · Permit required: Yes (conditional use permit) · Setback: 25 ft from any adjacent dwelling · Code reference: Metro Nashville Code of Ordinances § 8.20.190

Metro Nashville's Consolidated Government — Why It Matters

Nashville operates under a consolidated city-county government (Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County). This means there's one set of rules for all of Davidson County — whether you're in urban Nashville, suburban Bellevue, or the rural outskirts of the county. The rules are the same throughout Metro Nashville's jurisdiction.

If you live in one of the surrounding counties — Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson, or Cheatham — your rules come from that county and your local municipality, not Metro Nashville. Williamson County in particular (Franklin, Brentwood area) has notably different rules.

Metro Nashville's Chicken Rules

Metro Nashville Code § 8.20.190 governs "Keeping of Fowl" in residential districts. Key provisions:

  • Maximum of 6 hens on single-family residential lots
  • Roosters are prohibited in residential zones — Metro Code § 8.20.200 (Animal Noise) effectively prohibits them
  • A conditional use permit is required from Metro Planning — more involved than a simple use permit
  • Coop must be at least 25 feet from any adjacent dwelling (neighbor's house, not just property line)
  • Coop must be in the rear yard only
  • Coop must be maintained free of odor detectable at property line
  • Feed must be stored in vermin-proof containers

The Conditional Use Permit Process in Nashville

Nashville's CUP process is more involved than a simple over-the-counter permit:

  1. Submit application to Metro Nashville Planning Department (800 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN)
  2. Include a site plan showing setbacks from all property lines and adjacent dwellings
  3. Neighbor notification required — written notice to all adjacent property owners
  4. Metro Planning staff review (3–4 week processing typical)
  5. For straightforward applications with no neighbor objections: administrative approval without a hearing
  6. If objections received: hearing before the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals
  7. Application fee: $150 (CUP) — higher than many comparable cities

Williamson County — A Different Story

Williamson County (which includes Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Spring Hill, and unincorporated areas) has notably more permissive rules for backyard livestock than Metro Nashville. Key differences:

  • Miniature goats permitted on residential lots in many Williamson County unincorporated zones without a CUP
  • Chicken flock limits are higher in unincorporated Williamson County areas
  • The permit process is simpler for most livestock uses
  • Note: Franklin and Brentwood city limits have their own rules, separate from county rules

Frequently Asked Questions — Nashville Chickens

The answer is determined by your parcel's jurisdiction, not proximity to a county line. Look up your property on the Metro Nashville Property Assessor's website (padctn.org) — the "jurisdiction" field will show whether your parcel is in Metro Nashville/Davidson County or in an adjacent county. If you're in Davidson County at all, Metro Nashville's rules apply regardless of how close you are to Williamson County.
No — they're different processes. A conditional use permit (CUP) approves a use that's listed as conditionally permitted in your zoning district (chickens are conditionally permitted in Metro's residential zones). A variance approves a deviation from a specific dimensional standard (like a setback reduction). For chickens in Nashville, you need a CUP — not a variance. If you can't meet the 25-foot dwelling setback, you'd need both a CUP and a setback variance, which is a more complex process.
Metro Nashville currently regulates bees under a separate section of the Metro Code. Up to 4 hives are permitted in residential zones with a use permit, a 25-foot setback from property lines (or flyway fence alternative), and registration with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture required separately. Tennessee requires annual hive registration with TDA — contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Plant Industries Division for current registration fees and requirements.
Disclaimer: This page provides general informational guidance only. Ordinances change frequently. Always verify current rules directly with your local planning or zoning department before acquiring animals.