Nashville, TN Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)
Key Facts
- Ownership
- ADU and house share one owner
- Occupancy
- One dwelling must be owner-occupied
- Max units
- One detached ADU per lot
- Location
- USD or approved DADU overlay only
- Citation
- Metro Code Section 17.16.030(G)(3)
Summary
Metro Nashville limits each lot to one detached accessory dwelling unit, requires it to share ownership with the principal house, and mandates that one of the two dwellings be owner-occupied before a permit issues.
b.The detached accessory dwelling unit cannot be divided from the property ownership of the principal dwelling.c.Only one detached accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted and only when one single-family principal structure is present. When two principal structures are present, then no detached accessory dwelling unit is permitted.d.The detached accessory dwelling unit shall be owned by the same person, or entity, as the principal structure and one of the two dwellings shall be owner-occupied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metropolitan Code of Laws Section 17.16.030(G)(3) treats a detached ADU as accessory to a single-family home: only one ADU per lot, it cannot be sold off separately from the principal dwelling, and the code requires that either the ADU or the main house be owner-occupied. Before permitting, the owner must record a restrictive covenant with the register's office confirming the accessory use. Detached ADUs are allowed only inside the Urban Services District, within an approved DADU overlay in the General Services District outside the USD, or through a Specific Plan, so location determines eligibility as much as ownership does.
Violations & Fines
Zoning administrator denies or revokes the permit if ownership splits or the covenant lapses; code enforcement can cite unpermitted ADU use, and title problems surface at sale since the covenant runs with the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out both the house and the ADU in Nashville?
Can I sell the ADU separately from the main house?
Is a detached ADU allowed anywhere in Davidson County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee accessory structures overview
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