Wilson County, TN

[chickenlittle615]

Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to the chicken world and have a couple questions that are specific to Wilson County, TN. I recently purchased a home on 1.3 acres in rural Wilson County, outside of Mt. Juliet. The only regulations I've been able to find are on building the chicken coop and the requirement of a permit. My biggest question is "Does this apply to all chicken coops?", before I get an immediate and short "yes" answer. Here is my plan. I'm looking to build the Chicken Coop from 3rd Coast Craftsman Youtube Channel. There will be no digging/pouring a foundation, no utilities (power) ran to the coop. If a permit is still required, how did you go about getting yours? The Building Codes Accessory Structure Building Permit Application Checklist for Wilson County seems like overkill for a 5ftx6ft pet shelter. Also, how do I go about submitting build plans if they are in the form of youtube/pdf instructions and not traditional blueprint? Also, if I went with a mobile coop would this allow me to get around the permit requirement since it's not a permanent structure? Lastly, what type of issues could I run into if I decided to not have the coop be permitted and just bribed the neighbors with fresh eggs every now and then?...this will most likely be the way I go. lol

Thanks for any and all information. I didn't realize the type of headache it could be to have non-commercial poultry on property.

 

[chickenlittle615]

I was able to get the information by calling the Wilson County Building Codes office. For anyone that is in the area and has a similar question here is what I was told and confirmed multiple times by the office representative on 12/2/2024.

As long as you are only in a county zone, not city limits, no permit is required for a chicken coop regardless of coop being store bought, mobile, homebuilt, or a permanent structure.

 

[Appalachickens]

I also live in a rural part of Tennessee and when I called the county clerk's office to ask if we could build a tiny house and run electricity to it in advance of building our house (something that would NOT be allowed within the city limits we were moving from), she said, "Honey, it's your land - you can do whatever you want." It's a whole different ballgame in the country.

 

[Barbours]

Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to the chicken world and have a couple questions that are specific to Wilson County, TN. I recently purchased a home on 1.3 acres in rural Wilson County, outside of Mt. Juliet. The only regulations I've been able to find are on building the chicken coop and the requirement of a permit. My biggest question is "Does this apply to all chicken coops?", before I get an immediate and short "yes" answer. Here is my plan. I'm looking to build the Chicken Coop from 3rd Coast Craftsman Youtube Channel. There will be no digging/pouring a foundation, no utilities (power) ran to the coop. If a permit is still required, how did you go about getting yours? The Building Codes Accessory Structure Building Permit Application Checklist for Wilson County seems like overkill for a 5ftx6ft pet shelter. Also, how do I go about submitting build plans if they are in the form of youtube/pdf instructions and not traditional blueprint? Also, if I went with a mobile coop would this allow me to get around the permit requirement since it's not a permanent structure? Lastly, what type of issues could I run into if I decided to not have the coop be permitted and just bribed the neighbors with fresh eggs every now and then?...this will most likely be the way I go. lol

Thanks for any and all information. I didn't realize the type of headache it could be to have non-commercial poultry on property.

Honestly I don't think it will matter I'd you have all the licenses and everything. Where I'm were supposed to have licenses but ain't no one listens to that and no one's gotten in trouble so far. But if your worried about it just get the info you need and go from there. Good luck

 

[chickenlittle615]

I was able to get the information by calling the Wilson County Building Codes office. For anyone that is in the area and has a similar question here is what I was told and confirmed multiple times by the office representative on 12/2/2024.

As long as you are only in a county zone, not city limits, no permit is required for a chicken coop regardless of coop being store bought, mobile, homebuilt, or a permanent structure.

Update: Building Permit is not required; however, a zoning permit is required for a chicken coop. Seems more like a money grab to collect $100 but at least it will keep from having to possibly remove a coop and chickens for being "illegal" in the future.

 

[eventer]

Thanks for posting this. I'm also out in the country in Wilson County, TN. The hoops I had to go through to build a horse barn were nuts. It was like building a house!!!!!! Glad to hear there's no permit requirement. Where did you go to find out you need a zoning permit?