Accessory Structures in Hendersonville, TN (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Hendersonville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Hendersonville Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules
Heavy RestrictionsShed Rules
Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10.4 (Accessory Buildings) allows up to 2 accessory buildings on a residential property, placed in the rear yard or beside the house (no closer to the street than the house). In Suburban Residential-Low Density (SR-1), the side setback is 10 ft; in SR-2 (Medium Density), 8 ft. Rear setback is 20 ft in both. A small-structure exception (under 400 sq ft and 10 ft from the house) allows a 5 ft side/rear setback. Combined size is capped on a sliding scale from 800 sq ft (lots under 15,000 sq ft) to 2,500 sq ft (lots over 3 acres) or 50% of the principal dwelling, whichever is less. Building permits follow Tennessee Building Code for any structure over 200 sq ft.
Hendersonville Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a garage to habitable space in Hendersonville requires a building permit from the Codes Department under the Tennessee-adopted IRC. If the conversion adds a kitchen and separate entrance creating an independent living unit, it becomes either an Attached Accessory Apartment under Ch. 10.4 (capped at 40% of combined heated area, family/domestic-employee occupancy only, owner-occupant required) or — if separated and on a 30,000+ sq ft lot — a Detached Accessory Dwelling requiring a Conditional Use Permit. Off-street parking required for the principal dwelling must still be met (4 spaces if ADU is added).
Hendersonville Garage Conversions
Some RestrictionsCarport Rules
Carports in Hendersonville are accessory structures regulated under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10.4. Detached carports must follow the standard accessory-building setbacks: 10 ft side in SR-1, 8 ft side in SR-2, 20 ft rear in both. The 'under 400 sq ft + 10 ft from house' exception drops to a 5 ft side/rear setback. Carports under 120 sq ft do not count toward the 2-building maximum. Attached carports follow principal-building setbacks for the underlying zoning district. Building permit required for carports over 200 sq ft under the Tennessee IRC.
Hendersonville Carport Rules
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Tiny homes in Hendersonville must comply with the Tennessee-adopted 2018 IRC (including Appendix Q for dwellings 400 sq ft or less). A site-built tiny home on a permanent foundation is either the principal single-family dwelling (must meet zone's minimum lot size and principal-building setbacks) or an accessory dwelling subject to Ch. 10.4 ADU rules (30,000+ sq ft lot, CUP, family-only occupancy, 1,200-1,800 sq ft cap). Tiny homes on wheels classified as RVs or travel trailers cannot be used as a residence in residential zones. Tennessee does not preempt local tiny-home rules.
Hendersonville Tiny Home Rules
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Sumner County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hendersonville city rules.
Accessory Structures in Sumner County →