Applicants wanting to add an addition to a single-family home must complete the permitting process with the Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety. Zoning examiners will review the application and plans for setbacks, footprint, and height restrictions based on a parcels zoning.
Zoning Site Restrictions
Maximum Building Coverage
- The maximum building coverage is the percentage of total lot area covered by primary and accessory buildings. The maximum building coverage can be found in Table 17.12.020 A.
- If the property is located within a Contextual Overlay District, the building coverage is going to be further limited by 17.36.470 C. Contact [email protected] for clarification on which neighboring houses should be used in the average building coverage calculation. A contextual survey (stamped by a survey company) would be required for the permit.
Side and Rear Setbacks
- The side and rear setbacks are either the setbacks listed in Table 17.12.020 A or the platted setbacks, whichever is greater.
- The side street setbacks for a corner lot can be found in Table 17.12.030 A. Contact [email protected] to see if the side street setback can be reduced.
- An addition cannot be constructed over any easements.
Front Setbacks
If the addition brings the home further forward than the home currently sits, it must meet front setback requirements. The front setback in R and RS zoning districts would be either the platted setback, the street setback found in table 17.12.030 A or the average street setback (17.12.030 C(3)), whichever is greater. The average street setback would be the average distance from the street of the four nearest homes on the same block face. An average street setback survey (stamped by a survey company) would be required for the permit. Contact [email protected] for clarification on which neighboring houses should be used in the average street setback calculation.
Building Height Controls
- Building height controls can be found in Table 17.12.020 A.
- For properties located in the Urban Zoning Overlay (UZO) the height will be limited to 45’ within 3 stories.
- Properties having two detached single-family dwellings on one lot must meet height limitations in Table 17.12.020 A Note 4.
- For properties located within a Contextual Overlay District the height is going to be further limited by 17.36.470 B. Contact [email protected] for clarification on which neighboring houses should be used in the average height calculation. A contextual survey (stamped by a survey company) would be required for the permit.
- Bulkhead (enclosed area over a stairwell to roof) does not count towards a story.
- Bulkhead does count as height.
- Rooftop decks count as a floor if anything is covered.
- Walls/railing over 4’ count toward a story and height.
Resources
Use the following site to view your zoning, and to determine if there are any overlays on the parcel. Davidson County Parcel Viewer Map 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) or the Urban Design Overlay (UDO).
- Phone: 615-862-7190 Do not select option 1
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Planning Department Website
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.
- Phone: 615-862-7970
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Website: Historic Preservation Website
The link below is where you can view the Zoning Code. The full setbacks can be found in Table 17.12.020 A and section 17.12.030 C(3). The side street setback requirement for corner lots can be found in table 17.12.030 A. Contact [email protected] 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.
Contact the Register of Deeds office by following the instructions on the link below.
Get Copies of Davidson County Deeds Documents
- Phone: 615-862-6790
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Register of Deeds Website
- Location: Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
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. Metro Stormwater can be reached at 615-862-6038 or [email protected].
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
Metro Buildings and Construction Code
For questions about the zoning code, resources, or the permitting process contact the Zoning Help Desk for assistance.
[email protected] or 615-862-6510
How to Apply for a Permit
To apply for a permit, a registered contractor must submit the following documents to [email protected]
- Residential Permit Application
- Site Plan showing the proposed location of project with distances to property lines, existing structures and easements labeled.
- Average street setback survey will be required for additions to the front of the home.
- Renderings showing elevations (height) from each of the four corners.
- Floor plan showing the proposed layout of the interior, include any proposed fixtures and appliances.
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.nashville.gov. You will need to email [email protected] 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.nashville.gov.
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.