Nashville ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Nashville, Tennessee means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 12 source-cited requirements (7 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through Metro ePermits portal / Zoning Help Desk. These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in Nashville. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
A DADU (Metro Government of Nashville & Davidson County) is allowed by-right with conditions (PC) only where the parcel's zoning permits it AND the parcel is in the Urban Services District, a DADU overlay within the GSD, a UDO, or an SP with DADU standards. One DADU per parcel, requiring a single single-family principal structure, common ownership, and one of the two dwellings owner-occupied. A contractor must pull the permit — owners can't self-permit new DADU construction. After intake, a Zoning Examiner issues a checklist of Metro-agency sign-offs (Water/Sewer, Stormwater, Health, Fire, Planning, NDOT, Historic) required before issuance.
- Elevations Demonstrating §17.16.030 G(7)(d)/(e)requiredverify locally
Elevations must also demonstrate the design/height conditions in Zoning Code §17.16.030 G(7)(d) and (e). The submittal requirement is confirmed; the exact sub-condition text should be confirmed against the live Zoning Code.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Elevations from All Four Cornersrequired
Renderings showing the height/elevations from each of the four corners of the proposed DADU.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Floor Planrequired
Proposed interior layout including fixtures and appliances; must demonstrate the living-space-size condition of §17.16.030 G(7)(a).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Metro Agency Sign-Off Checklistrequired
After intake the Zoning Examiner issues a checklist of Codes divisions / Metro agencies (Water & Sewer, Stormwater, Health, Fire, Planning, NDOT, Historic) that must approve before issuance; which apply varies by parcel.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Residential Permit Applicationrequired
Metro Codes residential building-permit application — parcel ID, a detailed scope of work with new square-footage dimensions, intended use, and sewer-vs-septic designation.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Separate Trade Permits (electrical, plumbing, gas/mechanical)required
Separate electrical, plumbing, and gas/mechanical (HVAC) permits/inspections, obtained by licensed subcontractors after the building permit issues.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Site Planrequired
Plan showing the proposed location with distances to property lines, and existing structures and easements labeled.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Affidavit of Exemption + Self-Permit Affidavit (notarized)conditional
Only for self-permits — a notarized affidavit set. Not allowed for new DADU construction or garage conversion (a contractor must permit those); applies only to permitted self-permit scopes such as a ≤$25k renovation of an existing DADU.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Construction Plans (large/tall residences)conditional
Full construction plans are required only for residences exceeding 5,000 sf of floor area or more than 3 stories; not normally required for typical DADUs.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Historic Preservation Permit Applicationconditional
Required in addition to the Codes building permit when the parcel is in a Neighborhood Conservation or Historic Preservation Overlay; design must follow the historic-overlay + DADU standards.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Planning Department Approval (SP / UDO / PUD parcels)conditional
For parcels in a Specific Plan, Urban Design Overlay, or Residential PUD, the Planning Department sets DADU requirements and its approval is required with the Codes permit.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Recorded Restrictive Covenant (historic-overlay DADUs)conditional
In historic overlays, before permits issue the applicant must record a covenant with the Register of Deeds limiting the DADU to permitted accessory use; the instrument number goes on the Preservation Permit application.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22