Nashville, TN Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Metro Nashville does not have a standalone tiny-house zoning category. Under Title 17 of the Metro Code, a tiny home on a permanent foundation may be built only as a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU). DADUs are permitted within the Urban Services District, in DADU overlays mapped within the General Services District, and in Urban Design Overlays (UDOs) or Specific Plans (SPs) that include DADU standards; the underlying zoning must list DADUs as permitted with conditions. Maximum size is 700 sq ft on lots under 10,000 sq ft and 850 sq ft on lots 10,000 sq ft or larger, and the DADU footprint may not exceed the principal structure.

Eave height is capped at 10 feet for one-story or 17 feet for two-story DADUs, and total roof ridge cannot exceed 27 feet or the principal structure's height. Side and rear setbacks for DADUs of 850 sq ft or less are one-half of the district side requirement (minimum 3 feet) and at least 3 feet rear (10 feet if facing an alley); separation from the primary dwelling is at least 10 feet. Only one DADU per parcel is allowed, the same person must own both dwellings, one of the two must be owner-occupied, and DADUs in single-family zones cannot be used as short-term rentals.

Construction is reviewed under the Nashville and Davidson County Residential Code (2018 IRC), which includes IRC Appendix Q for tiny houses of 400 sq ft or less, allowing reduced loft ceiling heights, ladders, and compact stairs. Tiny houses on wheels (THOWs/RVs) are not recognized as permanent dwellings under Metro zoning and cannot be lived in full-time on a residential lot. Historic overlays add Metro Historic Zoning Commission review.