How Nashville Handles Invasive Plant Rules: A Practical Guide
Nashville maintains 167 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with invasive plant rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Nashville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Tree-of-Heaven Removal
Metro Nashville's zoning code bars tree of heaven from landscape buffers required around telecommunications facilities, one of fifteen invasive or nuisance species excluded from that specific planting requirement citywide.
Key details: Applies to: telecom facility landscape buffers. Species listed: tree of heaven + 14 others. Governing code: Metro Zoning Code Title 17.16. Enforced by: Codes Department site plan review.
Site plans specifying tree of heaven in a required telecom-facility buffer are rejected on review by the Codes Department; any prohibited plant already installed must be replaced with an approved species before final inspection.
Prohibited Species
Metro Nashville's zoning code bars invasive exotic pest plants from being planted or credited toward required landscaping, buffers, or tree density, per Metropolitan Code of Laws § 17.24.030(A)(4).
Key details: Governing list: Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council's list. Applies to: Required landscape plans, buffers, tree density. Effect: Barred from planting and from credit. Citation: § 17.24.030(A)(4). Coverage: General Services District (not satellite cities).
A landscape plan proposing listed invasive species won't be approved by planning or codes staff, and any such plants already installed don't count toward the buffer, screening, or tree-density minimums until replaced with compliant material.
The Bottom Line
Nashville's invasive plant rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Nashville is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Nashville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.