For those interested, below is a direct quote sent to me by the Metro Nashville, TN Planning Director when I inquired about keeping poultry. Hope it helps others!
The short version: It is allowed, subject to same nuisance laws as other noises/domestic animals.
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The Metro Code has several regulations that relate to the keeping of fowl. Here's what I've been able to find. If you want to look further, go to http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=14214&sid=42 and search by various keywords to see what you can learn.
Title 17 of the City Code is the Zoning Ordinance. Section 17.08.12 includes the zoning district land use table. It says that agricultural activity is permitted as the principal use in the two agriculatural zoning districts (AG and AR2a) and permitted as an accessory use (presumably accessory to a residence) in the zoning districts that allow single family homes and duplex homes. "Agricultural activity" is defined in the zoning ordinance as follows:
"Agricultural activity" means the raising of animal, fowl, fish and agricultural or horticultural crops, including but not limited to soybeans, tobacco, timber, orchard fruits, vegetables, flowers and/or ornamental plants for commercial purposes.
Our local government is a consolidated city-county government (called a metropolitan or metro government). There is an urban services district (the old city limits before consolidation in 1963) and a general services district (the old county jurisdiction before consolidation in 1963). There are no differences in the zoning ordinance between what's allowed in the urban services district and what's allowed in the general services district.
Title 8, Animal Control Regulations, has the following sections that are relevant to your questions:
8.12.010 Keeping of animals that disturb the peace.
A. It is unlawful for any person to keep any animal, dog, bird or fowl which, by causing frequent or loud continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
B. Violation of this section shall be declared to be public nuisance which violation may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction.
8.12.020 Keeping of chickens.
No person shall keep chickens within the metropolitan government area in such a manner that a nuisance is created.
8.20.060 Fowl at large prohibited--Impoundment.
A. It is unlawful for the owner or the person in charge of any chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other domestic fowl. to permit them to run at large in any street, alley, public square, public place or unenclosed lot within the urban services district.
B. The department of health shall cause any fowl so running at large to be taken up and put in the metropolitan pound. It shall be the duty of the department of health and poundmaster and their assistants to take up such fowl and transport the same to the pound.
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Also from her e-mail - - -
Based on the above references, here's how I'd answer your questions:
* whether backyard poultry (non-commercial) are permitted within the city limits of Nashville; YES.
* if so, are they only permitted in certain zones (I am interested to know whether non-commercial poultry structures are allowed in single-home subdivisions); YES, as an accessory (like a backyard use) in single-home subdivisions.
* are there any other restrictions placed on the number and type of backyard poultry? Not on the number and type of backyard poultry, but clear restrictions on the behavior of said chickens
Are they noisy or a nuisance to neighbors? If so, the owner of the chickens can be cited for a code violation, fined, and ultimately taken to court.
* do the same zoning regulations apply within the city limits as in the remainder of Davidson County? YES, same zoning regulations apply, but section 8.20.060 A. of the Animal Control Regulations says you can't let chickens run loose in the urban services district but presumably you can let them run loose in the general services district (in theory, the old county jurisdiction before consolidation).
The short version: It is allowed, subject to same nuisance laws as other noises/domestic animals.
***********************************************
The Metro Code has several regulations that relate to the keeping of fowl. Here's what I've been able to find. If you want to look further, go to http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=14214&sid=42 and search by various keywords to see what you can learn.
Title 17 of the City Code is the Zoning Ordinance. Section 17.08.12 includes the zoning district land use table. It says that agricultural activity is permitted as the principal use in the two agriculatural zoning districts (AG and AR2a) and permitted as an accessory use (presumably accessory to a residence) in the zoning districts that allow single family homes and duplex homes. "Agricultural activity" is defined in the zoning ordinance as follows:
"Agricultural activity" means the raising of animal, fowl, fish and agricultural or horticultural crops, including but not limited to soybeans, tobacco, timber, orchard fruits, vegetables, flowers and/or ornamental plants for commercial purposes.
Our local government is a consolidated city-county government (called a metropolitan or metro government). There is an urban services district (the old city limits before consolidation in 1963) and a general services district (the old county jurisdiction before consolidation in 1963). There are no differences in the zoning ordinance between what's allowed in the urban services district and what's allowed in the general services district.
Title 8, Animal Control Regulations, has the following sections that are relevant to your questions:
8.12.010 Keeping of animals that disturb the peace.
A. It is unlawful for any person to keep any animal, dog, bird or fowl which, by causing frequent or loud continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
B. Violation of this section shall be declared to be public nuisance which violation may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction.
8.12.020 Keeping of chickens.
No person shall keep chickens within the metropolitan government area in such a manner that a nuisance is created.
8.20.060 Fowl at large prohibited--Impoundment.
A. It is unlawful for the owner or the person in charge of any chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other domestic fowl. to permit them to run at large in any street, alley, public square, public place or unenclosed lot within the urban services district.
B. The department of health shall cause any fowl so running at large to be taken up and put in the metropolitan pound. It shall be the duty of the department of health and poundmaster and their assistants to take up such fowl and transport the same to the pound.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Also from her e-mail - - -
Based on the above references, here's how I'd answer your questions:
* whether backyard poultry (non-commercial) are permitted within the city limits of Nashville; YES.
* if so, are they only permitted in certain zones (I am interested to know whether non-commercial poultry structures are allowed in single-home subdivisions); YES, as an accessory (like a backyard use) in single-home subdivisions.
* are there any other restrictions placed on the number and type of backyard poultry? Not on the number and type of backyard poultry, but clear restrictions on the behavior of said chickens
Are they noisy or a nuisance to neighbors? If so, the owner of the chickens can be cited for a code violation, fined, and ultimately taken to court.* do the same zoning regulations apply within the city limits as in the remainder of Davidson County? YES, same zoning regulations apply, but section 8.20.060 A. of the Animal Control Regulations says you can't let chickens run loose in the urban services district but presumably you can let them run loose in the general services district (in theory, the old county jurisdiction before consolidation).
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