Applicants wanting to add an attached side or rear deck to a principal dwelling must complete the permitting process with the Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety. Zoning examiners will review the application and plans for setback requirements based on a parcel's zoning.
Zoning Site Requirements
- If only tearing down a deck and not replacing the deck a permit is not required.
- Replacement of a deck or construction of a new deck requires a permit.
- Deck board replacement above 100 sq ft will need a permit.
- Any deck footings or framing replacement will require a permit.
- Decks cannot be over the platted setbacks, utility easements or over a corner lot's side street setback.
- Uncovered decks can have a reduced rear setback of 10' but must meet the full side setback.
- Covered decks must meet full rear and side setbacks.
Resources
- Use Parcel Viewer to view your zoning, and to determine if there are any overlays on the parcel. The base zoning and additional overlays will be listed under the zoning tab.
- Contact the Planning Department to inquire about further requirements for properties within a Residential PUD overlay, Specific Plan (SP), the Urban Design Overlay (UDO) or the Neighborhood Landmark Overlay.
- If the property is located within the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay or the Historic Preservation Overlay contact the Historic Commission to inquire about any relevant regulations.
- The full setbacks can be found in Table 17.12.020 A and section 17.12.030 C(3) of the Zoning Code. The side street setback requirement for corner lots can be found in table 17.12.030 A. Contact the Zoning Help Desk to see if the side street setback can be reduced.
- The Metropolitan Department of Codes and Building Safety does not maintain easement records. If available, a recorded plat may depict easements created at the time of a subdivision but is not conclusive. A Title Abstract conducted for your subject property often will note any recorded easements discovered, a land survey when requested may note visible or observed evidence of unrecorded easements. Direct requests to utility companies and agencies (NES, Piedmont, Metro Water Services etc.) may be conducted to determine if they retain any easements over the subject property.
- Metro Codes does not determine where property lines are located. If you are unsure of where your property lines are you will need to get a copy of your deed. The deed will provide you with a description of your property and where property lines end and begin. If you are unable to determine where the property lines are you will need to hire a surveyor to come and identify your property lines.
- The Register of Deeds can provide a copy of the plat or any recorded private easements.
- Anytime the footprint is increased on a parcel it is recommended that you contact Metro Stormwater to inquire about any further restrictions they may have.
- Contact Tennessee 811 at least three (3) working days before starting a project. Tennessee 811 processes the notification of proposed digging and notifies member utilities, or their contract locators, to mark their underground facilities prior to the digging.
- See Chapter 16 of Metro Code of Laws for the Residential Building Code. Questions about the residential building code should be directed to the building division.
- Phone: 615-862-6550
- Building Code
- A property owner who presently occupies or intends to occupy a single-family residence may obtain a building permit to construct a deck. If the home ownership is in an LLC or Trust, then a self-permit can only be pulled for work under $25,000. A homeowner can pull a permit for a rental or investment property provided that the work is under $25,000. See the self-permit affidavits included in the Residential application.
- For questions about the zoning code, resources, or the permitting process contact the Zoning Help Desk for assistance.
How to Apply for a Permit
To apply for a permit, submit the following documents to the Zoning Help Desk:
- Residential Permit Application
- Site Plan showing the proposed location of the deck with distances to property lines, existing structures and easements labeled.
For a self-permit, complete the Affidavit of Exemption and the Self Permit Affidavit (3 pages). Affidavits must be notarized before submitting the application.
The permit application will be assigned to a zoning examiner. Should the Zoning Examiner have any questions or need additional information they will reach out to you by e-mail or by phone.
Or registered contractors can apply for residential building permits by visiting ePermits. You will need to email Permit Issuance to obtain your username and password for the e-permits website.
Once your application is processed, the Zoning Examiner will provide a checklist showing other Codes divisions and Metro agencies to contact for approvals before the permit can be issued. It is your responsibility to follow the requirements of the checklist on the building permit application and to make sure all necessary signoffs are received.
Do not seek to determine what reviews and approvals are required on your own. If you fail to complete the steps identified in your permit application your process will be delayed. Allow plenty of time. You can track the progress of the application by address or by using the permit application number at ePermits.
Once you have all the required signoffs you can pay for the permit and begin construction. It is also the applicant's responsibility to schedule the necessary inspections with Metro Nashville at the proper time in the building process.