Bristol, Tennessee Considers Banning Roosters Citywide

BRISTOL, Tenn. — The city of Bristol, Tennessee, is considering banning roosters within city limits.

The Bristol Tennessee City Council heard from Bristol Tennessee Police Maj. Walter Brown during an Aug. 27 work session, who explained that the Bristol Tennessee Police Department and the city have received numerous complaints from residents throughout the city regarding roosters.

“Because of the complaints, it became necessary to take regulatory action,” Brown said.

The proposed ordinance would add a new section to Chapter 10 of the City Code prohibiting roosters within the city limits of Bristol, Tennessee, after March 1, 2025.

“An exception to this ordinance will be open space areas of about 50 acres or more, which we really don’t have any of in the city,” Brown said.

Brown noted that currently Bristol, Virginia, and Johnson City, Tennessee, do not allow roosters, while Kingsport, Tennessee, allows one and Sullivan County, Tennessee, has no restrictions.

Bristol, Tennessee, City Council member Lea Powers asked what would happen to the roosters currently in the city.

“Let’s say Uncle Billy has had this rooster for a while. He’s very attached to the rooster, is this the right rooster to adopt?” Powers asked. “Will it be difficult to enforce?”

Bristol, Tennessee Mayor Vince Turner expressed concern that people might overreact to what may be simple neighborhood disputes.

“Is it 25 different people, 50 different people or is it five people calling?” Turner asked.

The Bristol, Tennessee, City Council will vote on the ordinance at its next council meeting in September.