Backyard chickens in Sevierville, Tennessee

In most of Sevierville, keeping backyard chickens is not permitted. Under Sevierville Municipal Code Title 10, Chapter 12, § 10-1201 ("Certain prohibitions"), it is unlawful for any person to keep cattle, cows, horses, sheep, swine, goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, or other livestock within the City.

There are two narrow exceptions under § 10-1202 and § 10-1204: (1) the prohibition does not apply in areas of the City that are agricultural in nature, and (2) a resident may apply to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for a special permit to keep otherwise-prohibited animals, birds, or fowl (§ 10-1204). Absent one of these exceptions, a typical residential lot in Sevierville may not keep hens or roosters.

If chickens are lawfully kept under one of these exceptions, general animal/bird housing rules still apply: under § 10-1101 any pen, coop, or yard used to confine or house a domestic animal or bird must be at least 25 feet from any dwelling, restaurant, school, church, or similar occupied building, and the floor must be constructed so it can be kept clean and sanitary (subject to Board of Health authorization of the location). Under § 10-1102, coops must have fly-tight manure receptacles and manure may not be allowed to accumulate on the ground.

Sevierville sits in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild, wet winters with occasional cold snaps and snow. Good coop ventilation is important in summer, while draft-free, insulated shelter helps hens through occasional freezing spells in January and February.

Sevierville's location near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park means backyard flocks may face pressure from raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, hawks, owls, and snakes (which target eggs and chicks). Secure, fully-enclosed (including a covered top) predator-proof coops and runs are strongly recommended given the area's dense wildlife population.