CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the city of Chattanooga soon allow residents to own chickens in residential areas?
A new proposal could allow just that.
In Chattanooga, it is currently illegal to own a chicken unless your home is zoned for agriculture.
However, Councilman Chip Henderson wants to see this change as many residents are already owning chickens against the rules.
He said, “Most of the complaints from chickens I believe are constituent initiated, I mean it’s usually a neighbor complaining about noise.”
His proposal would allow residents to have up to eight egg laying hens at a time on properties that are either single family dwellings or have rear yards.
Roosters would only be allowed on properties deemed as agricultural zones.
Some council members hailed the legislation as a way to combat ongoing illegal possession of chickens across the city.
Councilman Dennis Clark said, “I think it’s a good thing. I think people use things such as this a secondary form of income, and I have not received any opposition for this from District 5.”
Despite some of the support from council members on this ordinance, some of the other council members say they’ve heard from residents who are opposed to it.
Councilwoman Carol Berz said, “I’ve heard from several people in my district that it’s probably about 50-50 in terms of people who want it and people that don’t. I’m not opposed to people owning chickens. What I am concerned about is the enforcement, and who is going to hold going to hold people to the requirements that are set forth.”
Councilwoman Marvene Noel said she gets at least 10 calls a month about complaints about the presence of roosters.
“They’re saying that they’re crowing at 3-4 a.m., and then some have said that the chickens and the dogs are fighting,” she said.
Councilman Henderson said that he believes this ordinance would put Chattanooga in line with neighboring cities and be the most practical to enforce.
He said, “I think if you’re going to keep chickens, you’re going to have them enclosed, you’re going to have a hen house.”
It is unclear when and if this would go to a vote in front of the Chattanooga City Council.
