Coop Ready Tennessee Memphis
Hens allowed
Yes. Memphis allows backyard hens on a typical single-family home lot.
Hens are an accessory use on single-family detached lots only, with 15 sq ft of space per chicken. They must be kept in a securely enclosed yard or pen at all times. Feed must be stored in rat-proof containers.
Hen limit
1 per 1,500 sq ft, up to 6; lot must be 5,000 sq ft or more
Roosters
Banned except in the Conservation Agriculture (CA) district
Permit
No
Coop placement
Pen or yard at least 5 ft from property lines
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official Memphis rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Memphis?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Memphis rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Memphis
How many chickens can I have in Memphis?
The hen limit in Memphis: 1 per 1,500 sq ft, up to 6; lot must be 5,000 sq ft or more.
Are roosters allowed in Memphis?
No. Memphis bans roosters (except in the Conservation Agriculture (CA) district).
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Memphis?
No. Memphis does not require a permit for a typical backyard flock.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Memphis?
Where the coop can go in Memphis: pen or yard at least 5 ft from property lines.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Memphis allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More Tennessee cities
More from Coop Ready
- Rooster laws by city
- Cities that ban chickens
- HOA chicken rules
- Coop setback rules
- Permit site plan checklist
- Arizona chicken laws
- California chicken laws
- Colorado chicken laws
- Florida chicken laws
- Georgia chicken laws
- Oregon chicken laws
- Texas chicken laws
- Washington chicken laws
See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Memphis before you build.
