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We've compiled a list of major cities and their chicken keeping laws in Tennessee and Texas. Laws are always subject to change, so be sure to visit your city's website or zoning office to obtain the most up to date information. And, even if you don't live within city limits, you may be subject to county laws. If you don't see your city or county of residence listed, contact your appropriate office to verify if there are laws that apply to keeping chickens.
Tennessee
Tennessee has many different chicken-keeping laws depending on the city. Be sure to read carefully and contact your city with any questions.
- Bartlett - no official limit; roosters aren't specified; permit may be required
- Chattanooga - up to 8 hens allowed on any single-family residential lot with a dedicated backyard; no roosters; hens must be kept in a fenced enclosure in the rear yard at all times; selling eggs or hatching chicks is prohibited (updated 2025)
- Clarksville - chickens allowed in certain zones; up to 8 hens; no roosters; permit required
- Hendersonville - chickens allowed in certain zones; 1 hen per 1,300 sq ft of lot space; no roosters; permit may be required
- Jackson - no official limits; roosters require city approval; permit required
- Johnson City - no official limits; roosters aren't specified; permit may be required
- Knoxville - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required ($50 application fee); coop must be in rear yard only, at least 10 feet from property lines and 25 feet from neighboring residences
- Memphis - no official limits; roosters allowed but subject to noise ordinance; permits required in certain zones
- Murfreesboro - no official limit; roosters allowed but must be kept 2,000 ft from the nearest residence; permit may be required
- Nashville - number of hens determined by lot size: up to 2 hens for lots under 5,009 sq ft; up to 4 hens for lots between 5,010 and 10,236 sq ft; up to 6 hens for lots 10,237 sq ft or larger; no roosters; annual permit required ($25 fee, expires December 31st each year)
Texas
Texas is a large state, with large cities. All of the cities on our list allow backyard chickens, but keep in mind that many of these cities have several suburbs or smaller cities surrounding them, so be sure you know where your property lines fall in order to contact the correct city officials.
Please note: Under Texas Agriculture Code § 251.007, cities cannot prohibit keeping 6 or fewer chickens on a single-family residential lot. This applies statewide, even in cities not listed below. Always check your local ordinance for additional rules such as coop setbacks, permits, and rooster restrictions.
- Arlington - up to 25 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit required
- Austin - no official limit on hens; roosters are likely prohibited; permit may be required
- Corpus Christi - up to 7 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
- Dallas - no official limit on hens; no roosters; permit may be required
- El Paso - up to 6 hens; up to 3 roosters allowed (subject to permit and nuisance rules); annual permit required ($35); coop must be at least 30 feet from any neighboring residence
- Fort Worth - up to 12 chickens on lots under half an acre; up to 25 on lots of half to 1 full acre; up to 50 on lots larger than 1 acre; permit may be required
- Houston - up to 30 hens; no roosters
- Laredo - up to 4 hens, potentially more if coop locations can accommodate them according to code; no roosters; permit may be required
- San Antonio - up to 8 chickens; permit may be required
- Waco - no official limit; roosters not specified; permit may be required
Comments
Cal, 9 December 2021
When last was the page for the rules in Texas updated? Thank you!