A Resident's Guide to Hendersonville's Local Ordinances

Hendersonville, Tennessee may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 104 tracked ordinances across 23 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Hendersonville Municipal Code Section 11-403(3) sets explicit dBA caps for business and commercial facilities: 65 dBA between 9 p.m.-6 a.m. (Sun-Thu) and 11 p.m.-6 a.m.

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Hendersonville for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Short-term rentals in Hendersonville TN collect a four-layer tax stack on every reservation of fewer than 30 continuous days: 7% Tennessee state sales tax under TCA 67-6-202, 1.5% Tennessee state hotel/motel privilege tax under TCA 67-4-1402, 5% Sumner County hotel/motel occupancy tax, and 4% City of Hendersonville hotel/motel tax under Ordinance 2023-13 (raised from the prior 2.75% rate). The combined approximate burden is 17.5% on each stay.

Also covered: Insurance Requirements (moderate), Permit Requirements (strict), Primary-Residence-Only Rule (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Hendersonville for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (Fireworks) requires a permit issued by the Fire Department for the discharge of consumer fireworks within the city limits. Under Section 7-402, permits are issued only for July 3 and July 4 from 5:00 p.m.

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (permissive), Outdoor Burning (moderate), Backyard Fires (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Hendersonville for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

HVAC & Mechanical Noise: Hendersonville does not publish an HVAC-specific noise rule. Residential HVAC equipment falls under the general Section 11-402 anti-noise standard with the 11 p.m.-7 a.m.

Parking Rules

Oversized Vehicle Parking: Hendersonville has explicit size caps on residential oversized-vehicle storage. Under Section 10.4.17 of the City of Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance, the only permitted residential accessory commercial vehicle is one not exceeding 22 feet in length or 8 feet in height, or one commercial vehicle and attached trailer not exceeding 30 feet in length or 8 feet in height, or one detached trailer not exceeding 18 feet in length or 4 feet in height.

Also covered: Overnight Parking (permissive), Driveway Rules (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Hendersonville for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Hendersonville pool barriers are governed by Section 305 of the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as adopted by the City effective July 1, 2025. Barriers must be at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings may not allow a 4-inch sphere to pass, gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate.

Also covered: Pool Permits (strict), Safety Rules (strict), Hot Tub Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Hendersonville for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10.4 permits an Accessory Apartment (attached to the principal dwelling) OR a Detached Accessory Dwelling — but never both on the same lot. Tennessee does NOT preempt local ADU rules, so the city's restrictive scheme stands: owner-occupant required, occupant must be a relative or domestic employee, detached ADUs require a 30,000+ sq ft lot AND a Conditional Use Permit ($250 fee) from the Board of Zoning Appeals, with strict size caps tied to lot size and a 20 ft setback from side/rear lines..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), Shed Rules (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Hendersonville for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: All new exterior lighting installed within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Hendersonville must comply with the outdoor lighting standards in Chapter 46, Article VI of the Hendersonville Code of Ordinances. Lighting levels and placement must be designed in accordance with applicable Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommended practices, must achieve an Uplight ratio of zero (0), and must be designed to limit Backlight trespass.

Animal Ordinances

Livestock: Title 10 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (Animal Control) follows the standard MTAS Tennessee municipal pattern: it is unlawful to allow cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, or domestic fowl to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot in the corporate city limits. Larger livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine) is not authorized on standard city residential lots and is functionally limited to the largest RR (Residential Rural) tracts inside Hendersonville.

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (permissive), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Hendersonville for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Residential pool barriers in Hendersonville must comply with the City-adopted 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (effective July 1, 2025). Under ISPSC Section 305, the barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings may not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass, gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate (or located on the pool side with restricted nearby openings).

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Hendersonville for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Hendersonville is served by the Hendersonville Utility District (HUD), an independent utility serving more than 45,000 people in 14,000 homes/businesses across the greater Hendersonville area. HUD draws from Old Hickory Lake (Cumberland River system) via its intake near Rockland Park, treating water at a state-of-the-art plant dedicated in 2014.

Also covered: Tree Trimming (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Native Plants (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Hendersonville for details.

Home Business

Customer Traffic Restrictions: Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10.4.10 flatly prohibits customers, clients, or the like on the premises of a Minor Home Occupation. Off-premises customer interaction (online, by phone, at a separate work site) is allowed.

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Signage Rules (strict). See the full home business guide for Hendersonville for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Hendersonville participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is regulated by the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Sumner County. Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are extensive along the Old Hickory Lake shoreline and along Drakes Creek, Station Camp Creek, and other tributaries.

Also covered: Erosion Control (strict), Grading & Drainage (strict), Stormwater Management (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Hendersonville for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Bamboo Restrictions: The City of Hendersonville does not have a bamboo-specific ordinance, and Tennessee does not designate bamboo on the state pest plant rule administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. However, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture publicly states it receives more complaints about invasive bamboo than any other plant because running bamboo (Phyllostachys and Bambusa spp.) spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes that can damage foundations, driveways, and pools.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Hendersonville enforces property blight, junk, and nuisance conditions through its Zoning Enforcement program and the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), adopted effective 7/1/2025 under the City's Adopted Codes list. Common violations include high grass, litter, and inoperable vehicles on the property.

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Hendersonville for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Ordinances: Hendersonville's tree-protection framework operates through four layers: (1) Tree City USA designation (32 years through 2023, plus 26 Growth Awards) — requiring a tree board/department, tree care ordinance, ≥ $2/capita annual community forestry budget, and Arbor Day observance; (2) Site Plan and Design Review Checklist landscape standards — Tree Survey, Tree Replacement Plan, Tree Protection Fencing, 75% native, 2.5-in caliper / 6-ft evergreen minimums, 1 street tree per 35 ft; (3) Title 18 Stormwater Ordinance (revised Sept 10, 2024) — Tree Removal Permit linkage to Land Disturbance Permit ($50 + $10,000/acre); and (4) federal overlay — USACE Nashville District Old Hickory Lake Shoreline Management Plan governing trees on federal fee land..

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (strict), Tree Removal Permits (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Hendersonville for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: There are NO marijuana dispensaries in Hendersonville or anywhere in Tennessee — the state has not authorized commercial medical or recreational cannabis sales. There is no state licensing framework comparable to Kentucky's Office of Medical Cannabis or to other state dispensary programs.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Hendersonville for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Campaign signs in Hendersonville are governed by the Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act (TCA 2-7-143, enacted by Public Chapter 294 in 2017 with amendments in 2022), which preempts local governments and HOAs from restricting the shape or quantity of political signs on private residential property more than 100 feet from a polling place. The City's published Campaign Sign Regulations apply Section 13 of the Zoning Ordinance: signs must be out of the public right-of-way and at least 12 feet back from the edge of street pavement; one sign per candidate/issue per lot (or per street frontage on corner lots); residential maximum 16 sq ft and 4 ft height; commercial maximum 32 sq ft and 6 ft height.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Hendersonville for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Hendersonville residential building setbacks are set by zoning district in Title 14 (Zoning) Chapter 10.3 (district dimensional standards). The city's primary residential districts include Suburban Residential-Low Density (SR-1), Suburban Residential-Medium Density (SR-2), Multi-Family Residential (MFR), and Planned Developments.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Tennessee does NOT have a strong statewide solar-rights statute that overrides HOA restrictions — a sharp contrast with Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. The Tennessee Solar Access Law of 1979 (T.C.A.

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Hendersonville for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bin Placement Rules: Hendersonville requires all residents to have trash containers at the curb by 6:00 AM on their assigned service day. Standard curbside service is limited to two cans (up to 96-gallon size), two additional bags, and two bulk items per week.

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Hendersonville for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Federal law governs the airspace over Hendersonville — the FAA's Part 107 covers commercial flight and 49 U.S.C. § 44809 covers recreational flight (400 ft AGL cap, visual line of sight, Remote ID, TRUST test).

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10.6.3.6, Hendersonville mobile vendors are permitted in all commercial districts only. The Planning Department enforces specific siting standards: minimum 1-acre lot; vendor at least 100 feet from any public street; at least 1,000 feet from any other vendor (groups of up to 3 within 50 ft count as a single vendor); at least 1,000 feet from a permanent business which sells the same items (unless the operator obtains notarized permission on the Mobile Vendor Consent Form, Appendix E of the Zoning Ordinance); maximum 6 one-week periods on a lot per calendar year (consecutive periods allowed); the 20-foot-from-principal-building exception waives the time cap.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (strict). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Hendersonville for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Hendersonville, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.