Backyard chickens in Memphis, Tennessee
Everything you need to know before you start a backyard flock in Memphis ā the rules, the climate and the neighbors with teeth.
Can you keep chickens in Memphis?
Thinking about keeping hens in the Bluff City? Memphis allows small backyard flocks as an accessory use under the Memphis-Shelby County Unified Development Code, with a simple density formula, a firm ban on roosters, and everyday sanitation and nuisance rules to keep the peace with your neighbors.
Yes ā with conditions
Yes ā backyard hens are allowed in Memphis. The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code (UDC) treats chicken keeping as an accessory use for single-family principal structures (Ā§2.7.11). The ordinance establishes a minimum lot size of 5,000 SF and allows 1 chicken per 1,500 SF, up to a maximum of 6 chickens, and roosters are prohibited. Separately, the City's general animal code (Code of Ordinances, Ch. 8-8) requires that no animal or fowl shall be kept or confined where the water, shelter, ventilation and food are not sufficient and wholesome for the preservation of its health and safe condition, and no animal or fowl shall be kept in such place or condition as to become a nuisance either because of odor or contagion of disease, and that it is unlawful for any person in charge of any chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other fowl to permit it to run at large. According to a 2012 report on Memphis code enforcement, Memphis city ordinance does not require a permit to keep chickens, and permits aren't required for ducks, geese, turkeys and other fowl either, though a permit is required to keep larger livestock such as cows, sheep, horses and goats.
The rules at a glance
- Hens in city limits
- Allowed
- How many hens
- 6
- Roosters
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Permit cost
- Not specified
- Setback from property line
- Not specified
Peggy knows Memphis
The rules, straight from the municipal code.
- Minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet; density is capped at 1 chicken per 1,500 square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of 6 chickens (UDC Ā§2.7.11).
- Roosters are prohibited city-wide.
- Standards address enclosures, setbacks, feed storage, and sanitation/waste management ā exact setback distances are set out in the use-standard tables referenced by Ā§2.7.11.
- Fowl must be kept with sufficient water, shelter, ventilation and food, and may not be kept in a condition that becomes a nuisance due to odor or disease (Code of Ordinances Ā§8-8-1).
- Chickens and other fowl may not be permitted to run at large (Code of Ordinances Ā§8-8).
- Local reporting on code-enforcement practice notes recommended (non-mandatory) space guidance of roughly 2 sq ft of indoor coop space and 10 sq ft of outdoor run space per bird, and that chickens, like dogs or cats, are prohibited from making enough noise to disturb neighbors, and food should be stored in rat-proof containers.
- A separate, older livestock provision (Sec. 8-8-10) requires a health officer's permit to keep general livestock within 1,000 feet of another residence or business ā always confirm with Memphis-Shelby County Planning & Development / Code Enforcement whether this applies to your specific situation.
Keeping a flock happy in Memphis
š”ļø Climate
USDA Hardiness Zone 7b/8a ā humid subtropical
Memphis has hot, humid summers (frequently in the 90sĀ°F) and mild, generally short winters with occasional freezes. Chicken keepers should prioritize shade, ventilation, and cool water access in summer, and wind-blocking, dry bedding in the brief winter cold snaps.
š¦ Who's after your hens
Memphis's mix of urban tree cover, greenways, and the Mississippi River bottomlands supports healthy populations of raccoons, red-tailed hawks, foxes, opossums, and snakes, all of which will readily raid an unsecured coop or take eggs and chicks. Secure, hardware-cloth-covered runs and predator-proof latches are strongly recommended.
š Breeds that do well here
Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Leghorn
Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds ā hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.
Questions people ask about Memphis
āøHow many chickens can I keep in Memphis?
Up to 6 hens, based on a density formula of 1 chicken per 1,500 square feet of lot area, with a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet, per UDC Ā§2.7.11.
āøAre roosters allowed in Memphis?
No. Roosters are prohibited under the Memphis-Shelby County Unified Development Code's chicken-keeping accessory use standard.
āøDo I need a permit to keep chickens in Memphis?
According to local code-enforcement reporting, Memphis does not require a permit to keep chickens (or other fowl); permits are instead required for larger livestock like cows, sheep, horses, and goats. It's still wise to confirm current zoning compliance with Memphis-Shelby County Planning & Development.
āøCan my chickens roam free in my yard?
No ā the Memphis Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful to let chickens or other fowl run at large on streets, alleys, or unenclosed lots.
āøWhat sanitation rules apply to my coop?
Fowl must have sufficient water, shelter, ventilation, and food, and cannot be kept in conditions that create an odor or disease nuisance. Feed should be stored in rodent-proof containers, and coops should be kept clean to avoid noise or odor complaints from neighbors.
City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Memphis or your HOA before you order ā and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 28, 2026.
Ready to start your own flock?
Everything arrives at your door ā the coop, two Rhode Island Red hens, and all the gear in between.
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