Can I keep chickens in Chattanooga?
Yes — Chattanooga allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 5 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Chattanooga City Code Sec. 7-145 (Ord. No. 14257, section 2, 7-29-25), verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 5 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Rear-yard fenced enclosure required at all times: covered, or 42+ inches high with wing-clipped hens; hens secured in henhouse during non-daylight hours. Covered predator-resistant henhouse enclosed on all sides with lockable doors; openings covered with sub-1-inch predator-resistant wire. Min 2 sq ft/hen henhouse, 6 sq ft/hen enclosure. One enclosure per lot, max 8 ft height; no scrap materials; 5 ft from abutting property lines, 50 ft from streams; accessory-structure setbacks apply. |
| Code section | Chattanooga City Code Sec. 7-145 (Ord. No. 14257, section 2, 7-29-25) |
Chattanooga allows up to 8 laying hens on any single-family residential lot (10 per multifamily complex on common property; 20 per acre in A-1 agricultural zones). No permit required. Roosters prohibited outside A-1. Hens must be kept in a rear-yard fenced enclosure (covered, or at least 42 inches high with wing-clipped hens) plus a covered predator-resistant henhouse; henhouse and enclosure at least 5 ft from abutting property lines and 50 ft from any stream; one enclosure per lot, max 8 ft height; not permitted in front or side yards. Minimum 2 sq ft per hen in the henhouse and 6 sq ft per hen in the enclosure. Egg sales and outdoor slaughter prohibited; HOA covenants still control. Codified as Sec. 7-145 (Ord. No. 14257, effective July 29, 2025).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Chattanooga?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Chattanooga (Chattanooga City Code Sec. 7-145 (Ord. No. 14257, section 2, 7-29-25)).
How many chickens can I keep in Chattanooga?
Up to 8 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Chattanooga?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Chattanooga.
Are roosters allowed in Chattanooga?
No — roosters are prohibited in Chattanooga.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Chattanooga?
5 feet minimum. Rear-yard fenced enclosure required at all times: covered, or 42+ inches high with wing-clipped hens; hens secured in henhouse during non-daylight hours. Covered predator-resistant henhouse enclosed on all sides with lockable doors; openings covered with sub-1-inch predator-resistant wire. Min 2 sq ft/hen henhouse, 6 sq ft/hen enclosure. One enclosure per lot, max 8 ft height; no scrap materials; 5 ft from abutting property lines, 50 ft from streams; accessory-structure setbacks apply.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Chattanooga?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Chattanooga's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 7-145 (Ord. No. 14257, section 2, 7-29-25). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 7-145 (Ord. No. 14257, section 2, 7-29-25) — read the official code
“ORDINANCE #14257 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II, CHAPTER 7, SECTION 7-107 AND CHAPTER 7, SECTION 7-145, RELATIVE TO URBAN CHICKENS.” source
“Up to eight (8) laying hens are allowed on any single family residential lot... Neither the henhouse nor the fenced enclosure may be located less than five (5) feet from any abutting property line and must be at least fifty (50) feet from any stream or running surface water... (Ord. No. 14257, section 2, 7-29-25)” source
Last verified July 12, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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