Knoxville Urban Hen Coalition

Here are the steps provided by some of the first people to go through the process.

Check out their website--  Hens at Our House -- For more great info!

1. Download an APPLICATION and the ORDINANCE
a. Hen Application.pdf
b. Hen Ordinance.pdf
b. Fully read the terms of the application, as well as the ordinance.

We got our Building Permit!

2. AQUIRE A BUILDING PERMIT:
a. Create an over-head site map of your property, with the dimensions of your yard. Include the size and location of where you want to put your coop on the map.
b. Bring your site map and application and checkbook to the City County Bldg. Plans, and Inspections dept. on the 5th floor. Here you will show your site map, pay a $50 fee for a Building Permit and acquire a needed signature on your application packet. I advise calling the office first, to make sure someone is in who can sign your application and take your check. The city hotline, 311 can connect you. Keep your building permit form with your application. You will need your building permit number in step number five.


3. START BUILDING YOUR COOP!


4. GET APPROVED
Take your application (now with signature from Inspections dept) back to the Animal Control Office, located on 5th Ave. Pay your $25 application fee, and leave a copy of your application with AC. The Board will need to vote on your application. This voting takes place once per month. You may attend the AC Board meeting while your application is voted on, but it isn't necessary. Voting takes place at the Young-Williams Animal Center. By the way, your coop does not need to be finished for you to take care of this step.


5. FINISH COOP/HAVE IT INSPECTED

The ACB voted to approve our application.

When your application is approved by the Animal Control Board, the last step is having your coop inspected. This is done through Interactive Voice Response System, by calling 215-4830. An automated computer system will talk you through how to schedule the inspection. You will need to input your Building Permit number at this time. It is at the top left of your permit. When you select from a menu of what type of inspection you need, "chicken coop" is not currently a choice on the menu. I selected "Other" and left a voicemail explaining what kind of inspection I needed. Apparently, this automated system is all that is required to make your appointment. However, I went ahead and called the inspection office to confirm my appointment anyway. (I like talking to a live person.)


6. GET INSPECTOR SIGNATURE
The inspector must check/sign your application when your coop has been seen.


7. FINISHED!
Take your completed application back to the Animal Control office to show that your inspection is complete. You will be assigned a Permit number, and now you're official! Keep all papers together in your records.


GO GET SOME CHICKENS!

*Thanks Natalie Townsend at Hens at Our House for writing this up!

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The first permits have been approved:

Look here for people's experience in the permit process.

Look here to read a blog of a Knoxville Urban Hen Trailblazer!

***History of Ordinance***

The backyard hen ordinance passed on Tuesday night, August 24th 2010, with a city council vote of 5-3! THANKS to all of you that called or wrote your representatives, talked to your neighbors, and attended the many meetings. The ordinance is a true testament to citizen-power!

City council has also approved (November, 30th 2010) the code changes that MPC recommended, which makes keeping hens officially legal!

A growing number of cities are allowing people to keep a small number of backyard hens. There are many reasons why people are keeping hens - A healthy source of eggs, education for the kids, food security for the family, pet companionship, and a good tool to turn compost into fertilizer for the garden.

Cities are also finding that backyard hens are building community ties - folks are looking over fence rows and asking what the neighbors are doing, eggs are shared and conversations are started.

We want to provide opportunities for city residents to feed their families safe healthy food from their own resources and yards. Backyard hens are one key link in creating sustainable urban systems.


Download MYTHS and FACTS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
and more FAQ

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How to Find and Raise Backyard Hens

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Hen at Our House (local)

The City Chicken

 How to Find and Raise Backyard Hens?

backyardchickens.com

East Tennessee Chicken Lovers (Facebook page)

Omlet USA

backyard poultry magazine

McMurray Hatchery

Chuckey Chickens (regional)

Or talk to our local hen-care guru, Farmer John! - 687-0441.