Can I keep chickens in Murfreesboro?
Yes — Murfreesboro allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited. (City Code § 14-120(D) (Ord. No. 21-O-06, 6-3-21); Ch. 5 § 5-1 Fowl, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Fowl may not run at large or trespass (§5-1); waste must be disposed of so as not to create odor or health hazard to adjacent occupants (§14-120(A)). |
| Code section | City Code § 14-120(D) (Ord. No. 21-O-06, 6-3-21); Ch. 5 § 5-1 Fowl |
Murfreesboro allows up to 8 chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, other domestic fowl, rabbits, or any combination on lots under two acres (§14-120(D)). No permit. Roosters prohibited unless penned at least 2,000 ft from the nearest residence (§5-1). Owners must dispose of waste to prevent odor/health hazard.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Murfreesboro?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Murfreesboro (City Code § 14-120(D) (Ord. No. 21-O-06, 6-3-21); Ch. 5 § 5-1 Fowl).
How many chickens can I keep in Murfreesboro?
Up to 8 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Murfreesboro?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Murfreesboro.
Are roosters allowed in Murfreesboro?
No — roosters are prohibited in Murfreesboro.
What law covers backyard chickens in Murfreesboro?
City Code § 14-120(D) (Ord. No. 21-O-06, 6-3-21); Ch. 5 § 5-1 Fowl. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
City Code § 14-120(D) (Ord. No. 21-O-06, 6-3-21); Ch. 5 § 5-1 Fowl — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain more than eight chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, or other domestic fowl, rabbits, or any combination thereof on a lot of record containing less than two acres.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to own, house, or maintain a rooster within the City limits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a citizen may own, house, or maintain a rooster within the City limits when the rooster is penned or housed a minimum of 2,000 feet from the nearest residence” source
Last verified July 4, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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