Landscaping Rules in Nashville, TN (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Nashville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Metro Nashville bans any tree, hedge, or bush inside a public street right-of-way, and bars them within 25 feet of intersections above 30 inches tall, whenever they block driver sight lines.
Tree and Hedge Clearance Rules in Nashville
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 13.12.190
It is unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed or maintained, either temporarily or permanently, any sign, card, poster, pennant, banner, bush, tree, hedge or other obstruction: 1.On private property within twenty-five feet of any street intersection so as to interfere with traffic visibility at the intersection and at no time higher than thirty inches above the crown of the adjac...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a retained, protected, or heritage tree in Metro Nashville requires a zoning administrator permit backed by a tree survey, and approval hinges on meeting one of eight specific review criteria in the code.
Nashville Heritage and Protected Tree Removal Permits
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 17.40.470
Any person desiring a tree removal permit, including any person or entity engaged in the business of tree removal services on commercial property, shall make written application to the zoning administrator upon forms provided by the zoning administrator along with the following information... No permit for the removal of a retained, protected or heritage tree shall be granted unless the petitio...
Weed Ordinances
Metro Nashville caps weeds and grass at 12 inches on any property; taller growth is a public nuisance enforced by the Department of Codes Administration, with notice, fines, and a lien if you don't cut it.
Nashville High Weeds and Debris Rules
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 10.26.010
All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds in excess of twelve inches so as not to endanger the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the metropolitan government.
Water Restrictions
Metro Water Services' director can ban outdoor sprinkling with hose or wagon anytime the water system's condition makes it necessary for public safety, publishing the order in a local paper: the ban stays in force until officially rescinded.
Nashville Water Use Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 15.28.010
Whenever the condition of the water supply system shall, in the opinion of the director, render it prudent and necessary for the public safety and welfare, to prohibit the use of water for the purposes of sprinkling with hose and wagons or use for elevators, the director may make an order of prohibition, publishing the same in one or more of the daily papers, and it is unlawful to use water for...
Native Plants
Nashville allows natural landscaping in place of a mowed lawn only if the design is filed with and approved by the beautification commission horticulturalist and Metro's chief traffic engineer, with a three-foot setback from the front and side property lines.
Nashville Native Landscaping Approval Rule
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 10.26.010(B)
Natural landscaping may be allowed if an intentional design for vegetative growth is on file with and approved by both the metropolitan beautification commission horticulturalist and the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure's chief traffic engineer or his/her designee, provided there is a minimum three foot setback from the front property line and from any adjace...