After two grueling years, the city is accepting applications for hen permits according to the Knoxville Urban Hen Coalition at the Knoxville Permaculture Guild…just in time for Spring orders for hens.
From the Knoxville Urban Hen Coalition:
***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) the code changes that MPC recommended, which makes keeping hens officially legal!
For the complete drama…
A Call to ACT! Let’s Get Urban Hens Legalized.
It’s Time for the Chicken VOTE!!!
Chickens Going to Come on Strong
FINALLY! The Vote We’ve All Been Waiting For…
4th Amendment Rights…or Chickens? Hmm.
If you are interested in permit details, please contact Officer Pappas at 215-8640 or kmpappas@cityofknoxville.org . Give her your name, number, address and zipcode and she will send you the application via mail. The application will explain that you’ll have to get a building permit and then submit your plan for approval by animal control. The application will soon be online, but for now please contact Officer Pappas. Please be kind and be patient. It is unclear how many requests she may receive, and she still has all her other animal control duties to attend.
The FINAL City of Knoxville hen ordinance
If you are interested in learning more about urban hens, the Knoxville Urban Hen Coalition has a huge amount of information including myths and facts, FAQs, links, discussions, and a comment board. While you are there, join the group and give a big thank you to the coalition who worked very hard over the past two years to make this happen.
I would like to give a special thank you to my husband, Chad Hellwinckel, who, despite how tough, discouraging, and tiring it got at times…when sometimes there were only a two or three core people who showed up to help…for the LONG hours and still working 40 hours a week as well as sitting on other committees and boards…for organizing education… gave it his all and never gave up. Thank you, Chad, for making it possible for the people in Knoxville city limits to have access to the healthiest food available…food that they manage themselves. Thank you for bringing us a little bit closer to food security in Knoxville!
