Can you own chickens within Chattanooga city limits?
A 2005 city law changed the rules around owning chickens within Chattanooga. Now it’s more difficult.
Owning chickens on any land in Chattanooga that is not zoned for agriculture or at least five acres in size breaks city code. Codes are created by local governments to regulate health and safety, business licensing, building and construction, etc. Prior to 2005, Chattanoogans with at least two acres of land could own chickens and/or roosters, and any resident who has been keeping chickens since then is allowed to continue to do so.
McKamey Animal Shelter (not the City) is responsible for enforcing animal-related code violations, and McKamey’s animal protection officers may impound any unlawful chickens in Chattanooga.
In Red Bank, however, chickens are now legal in most yards, since their commissioners passed a new law earlier this year.
Email any questions or comments to ian-alijah@chattamatters.com.
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