Garage conversion rules in Sumner County, TN — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Converting a garage into living space in unincorporated Sumner County means a building permit under the adopted 2021 residential code. If the conversion creates a second dwelling, it must meet the county's ADU rules in Section 1101(R), including owner-occupancy.
Turning a garage into a habitable room changes its occupancy, so Sumner County Building & Codes (615) 452-1467 requires a building permit under the 2021 ICC residential code adopted in 2023. Expect requirements for egress, ceiling height, insulation, and interconnected smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, with electrical work handled through your electrical provider. If the converted space becomes a separate dwelling rather than added living area, it is an accessory dwelling unit: the Zoning Resolution lets a detached ADU sit in an existing accessory structure that meets the current residential code, but the owner-occupancy, size, and recorded-covenant rules of Section 1101(R) apply. Lost covered parking can affect zoning compliance.
Converting a garage to habitable or rentable space without a permit is unlawful construction, subject to a stop-work order and retroactive permitting. A hidden second unit that skips the ADU covenant is a zoning violation.
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