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Clarksville enforces weed abatement under TN Code §6-54-113. Overgrown properties subject to city abatement at owner’s expense.
Clarksville requires property owners to maintain trees that overhang public rights-of-way with minimum clearance over sidewalks and streets. Dead or hazardous trees must be addressed promptly.
Clarksville requires yards to be maintained with grass and weeds kept below a maximum height (typically 8-12 inches). The Code Enforcement division actively enforces property maintenance standards throughout the city.
Clarksville allows fireworks discharge within city limits from July 1 to July 5 between 6 PM and 10 PM only. Fireworks are prohibited in all city parks and recreational facilities. Persons under 16 must have adult supervision.
Clarksville regulates open burning under the fire prevention code (Title 7). Burning of trash and yard waste is restricted. Small recreational fires for cooking or warmth are generally allowed with proper safety measures.
Clarksville allows recreational fire pits with proper containment and safety measures. Fires must be in approved containers, maintain clearance from structures, and be attended at all times. Burn bans must be observed.
Tennessee Division of Forestry has statewide authority over wildfire prevention, declares hazard seasons, and may issue burn bans during drought conditions affecting all residents.
Clarksville's short-term rental ordinance does not set a city-mandated liability coverage minimum. Operators must acknowledge that their existing insurance contract permits short-term rental use, and renewal applications must include updated proof of insurance under Title 5, Chapter 3.
Clarksville sets each short-term rental's maximum occupancy individually through a fire and life safety inspection, with the cap printed on the Operating Permit. The ordinance prohibits simultaneous rental to multiple parties under separate contracts and requires at least one parking space per bedroom offered.
Clarksville requires short-term rental operators to obtain a permit under Chapter 3, Title 5 of the City Code. Properties must meet safety standards and operators must register with the city. A local contact person is required.
STR guests in Clarksville must comply with the city's noise ordinance. Operators are responsible for informing guests about quiet hours and noise rules. Repeated noise violations may lead to STR permit revocation.
Clarksville STR operators must collect and remit hotel/motel occupancy tax on rental income. Tennessee state sales tax also applies. Operators must register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
STR guests in Clarksville must use available off-street parking. Operators must provide parking instructions to guests. On-street parking follows standard city rules. Parking on unapproved surfaces is prohibited.
Clarksville treats carports as accessory structures regulated by the City Zoning Ordinance, with detached carports required to meet 10-foot side and 10-foot rear setbacks in most residential districts and a 35-foot height cap. A building permit from the Building and Codes Department is required.
Clarksville allows accessory dwelling units in certain residential zones under the zoning ordinance. ADUs must meet size, setback, and design standards. Building permits are required.
Clarksville allows sheds in residential zones. Small sheds under 200 square feet typically do not require a building permit but must comply with setback requirements. Larger structures require permits.
Garage conversions in Clarksville require a building permit and must meet building code standards for habitable space. The conversion must not reduce the property below minimum parking requirements.
Tennessee enforces the International Residential Code with Appendix Q for tiny houses statewide, setting minimum construction standards local governments cannot weaken.
Clarksville limits residential fence heights to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Fences exceeding 6 feet require special approval. Corner lots have visibility requirements.
Clarksville requires a placement permit for fences. Standard residential fences must comply with height and setback requirements. Pool barrier fences must meet safety standards.
Clarksville does not require neighbor consent to build a fence on your property. Tennessee law governs shared boundary fences. Property owners should ensure fences are within their property lines.
Tennessee adopts the International Residential Code, which mandates four-foot barriers around residential pools statewide. Local jurisdictions may add stricter rules but cannot weaken the state minimum.
Clarksville requires all residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. A placement permit is required for pool installation. The barrier must meet IRC pool barrier standards.
Clarksville enforces pool safety regulations including barriers, drain covers, and maintenance standards. Pools must be maintained to prevent health hazards. Abandoned pools must be drained and secured.
Above-ground pools in Clarksville must meet barrier requirements if they hold water deeper than 24 inches. A placement permit is required. Pool walls may serve as barriers if they meet height and no-foothold requirements.
Clarksville follows Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) regulations on exotic animals. Tennessee classifies exotic pets into categories requiring different permit levels. Large cats, bears, and primates require Class I permits that are difficult to obtain.
Clarksville requires dogs to be on a leash or under direct control when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large violate city ordinance. All dogs must be registered and vaccinated against rabies.
Clarksville does not currently enforce breed-specific legislation. Dogs are regulated based on individual behavior. Dogs declared dangerous face additional requirements under Tennessee law.
Clarksville allows residential beekeeping with reasonable restrictions. Hives should maintain setbacks from property lines. Tennessee's Right to Farm Act provides protections for agricultural activities including beekeeping.
Tennessee animal cruelty statutes apply uniformly statewide and treat aggravated cruelty as a felony, allowing prosecution of hoarding cases regardless of city or county ordinances.
Tennessee's Right to Farm Act shields established agricultural operations, including livestock and poultry, from local nuisance ordinances and most municipal restrictions on existing farms statewide.
Tennessee prohibits feeding bears statewide and restricts baiting of deer, turkey, and elk on TWRA-managed lands, with statewide TWRA rules overriding local feeding policies.
Clarksville's noise ordinance prohibits sound from any source that exceeds specified limits when measured from property boundaries or occupied premises. Nighttime hours carry stricter enforcement, with quiet hours generally from 10 PM to 7 AM in residential areas.
Clarksville permits construction noise during standard daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. Sunday construction in residential areas is restricted. The Building and Codes Department oversees construction activity.
Clarksville addresses barking dogs under its nuisance and animal control provisions. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors constitutes a nuisance. Clarksville Animal Services handles complaints.
Clarksville regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. TN Code §39-17-305 applies.
Aircraft noise in Tennessee is governed by federal law under FAA authority. Neither the state nor municipalities may regulate flight operations, altitude, or in-flight noise emissions.
Clarksville restricts customer traffic to home-based businesses. Home occupations must not generate traffic or parking beyond normal residential levels. Walk-in retail is prohibited.
Clarksville allows home occupations in residential zones under the zoning ordinance. The business must be secondary to residential use, conducted within the dwelling, and have no external evidence. A business license is required.
Clarksville prohibits exterior signage for home-based businesses in residential zones. No signs, banners, or advertising displays may be visible from outside the property.
Tennessee's Domestic Kitchen statute permits home production of non-potentially-hazardous foods for direct sale, with statewide labeling and sales channel rules that local governments cannot override through zoning bans.
Tennessee Department of Human Services licenses family child care homes statewide, and local zoning cannot prohibit small home daycares serving up to seven children when state licensing standards are met.
Clarksville regulates on-street parking through posted signs and citywide rules. Vehicles must be registered and operable. Parking on unapproved surfaces is a common code violation. The 72-hour abandoned vehicle rule applies.
Clarksville restricts RV, boat, and trailer storage in residential zones. Front yard storage is discouraged. Vehicles must be on approved surfaces and not create neighborhood blight. RVs may not be used as living quarters.
Clarksville requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces. Parking on unapproved surfaces like grass, dirt, and gravel is one of the most common code violations. Driveway construction requires a permit.
Clarksville restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential zones. Heavy trucks and commercial equipment may not park overnight in residential areas. Small commercial vehicles for personal use are generally exempt.
Tennessee Code Title 55 Chapter 16 governs abandoned vehicles statewide, defining when vehicles may be towed, requiring notice to owners, and setting redemption rights that apply uniformly across all Tennessee municipalities.
Tennessee statutes regulate electric vehicle charging infrastructure, parking enforcement at charging stalls, and IFTA-equivalent fees, with consistent statewide treatment of public charging access.
Clarksville participates in the NFIP and regulates development in FEMA-designated flood zones. The Cumberland River and Red River create significant flood hazard areas. New construction in SFHAs must meet strict elevation requirements.
Tennessee's Water Quality Control Act and TDEC rules require erosion and sediment controls on regulated construction sites, with state inspectors empowered to enforce requirements regardless of city limits.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation administers NPDES stormwater permits statewide, requiring construction sites disturbing one or more acres to obtain coverage regardless of municipal jurisdiction.
Because Tennessee prohibits marijuana sale and distribution, no recreational or full medical dispensaries may legally operate, and municipalities cannot authorize dispensary land uses through zoning.
Tennessee prohibits all marijuana cultivation, possession, and personal use under Tenn. Code Title 39 Chapter 17, leaving no authority for municipalities to legalize home growing.
Commercial drone pilots in Tennessee must comply with FAA Part 107 nationwide and adhere to state-specific privacy, surveillance, and trespass statutes that preempt most municipal restrictions.
Tennessee preempts most local drone regulation under Tenn. Code 39-13-902 and 39-13-903, restricting cities to limited authority while state law and FAA rules govern recreational unmanned aircraft operations.
Tennessee prohibits local governments from setting minimum wages above the federal floor under T.C.A. 50-2-112, reserving wage authority exclusively to the state.
Tennessee bars local governments from mandating paid sick or family leave on private employers under T.C.A. 50-2-112, leaving leave decisions to employer discretion.
Tennessee preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances under T.C.A. 50-2-112, preventing cities from regulating private employer scheduling practices.
Tennessee allows permitless concealed and open carry for adults 21 and older (or qualified 18-20 year olds) under T.C.A. 39-17-1307 and 1351, with optional enhanced and concealed permits available.
Tennessee law preempts virtually all local regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components, reserving authority exclusively to the state legislature under T.C.A. 39-17-1314.
Open carry of handguns is lawful in Tennessee under permitless carry, but rifles and shotguns are subject to general unlawful-carry rules in T.C.A. 39-17-1307.
Tennessee allows eligible adults to carry handguns openly or concealed in private motor vehicles without a permit under T.C.A. 39-17-1351 and 39-17-1307, preempting stricter local rules.
Tennessee requires private employers with 35 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify program to confirm work authorization under T.C.A. 50-1-703.
Tennessee bans sanctuary policies statewide under T.C.A. 7-68-101 and following, requiring local governments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities or lose state funding.
Tennessee follows the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act statewide and does not require just cause for ending a tenancy after lease term expiration.
Tennessee state law expressly prohibits any city, county, or local government from enacting rent control ordinances on private residential or commercial property.
Tennessee's Short-Term Rental Unit Act limits how local governments can regulate vacation rentals and grandfathers properties operating before local bans took effect.
Tennessee limits local zoning interference with bona fide farm operations under T.C.A. 13-7-114 and Right to Farm protections in T.C.A. 43-26-103, preserving rural land use rights.
The Tennessee Right to Farm Act under T.C.A. 43-26-103 protects established farms from nuisance suits when operations existed for at least one year before the complaint.
Tennessee preempts local plastic bag bans and fees under T.C.A. 7-86-103, enacted in 2019, reserving auxiliary container regulation to the state legislature.
Tennessee bars local bans on polystyrene foam containers under T.C.A. 7-86-103, treating foam packaging as an auxiliary container reserved to state regulation.
Tennessee preempts local plastic straw bans through the auxiliary container definition in T.C.A. 7-86-103, leaving straw distribution unregulated at the municipal level.
Tennessee's solar access law in T.C.A. 66-9-205 voids HOA covenants that effectively prohibit residential solar collectors but allows reasonable aesthetic restrictions statewide.
Tennessee requires electrical permits for residential solar PV installations through the State Fire Marshal in jurisdictions without a local electrical inspector, applying uniformly statewide.
Tennessee enforces solicitation refusal at private residences through trespass law, allowing posted no-soliciting signs to create criminal liability for non-compliant door-to-door visitors.
Tennessee's Home Solicitation Sales Act regulates door-to-door sellers statewide with disclosure, contract, and three-day cancellation rules that apply alongside any local permit requirements.
Tennessee prohibits the sale of tobacco, hemp, and vapor products to anyone under 21 under T.C.A. 39-17-1504, aligned with the federal Tobacco 21 standard adopted in 2019.
Tennessee does not impose a statewide flavor ban on tobacco or vape products, and local flavor bans are generally preempted by uniform state licensing under Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 15.
Tennessee regulates vapor product retailers under T.C.A. 39-17-1504 and related statutes, requiring age verification, restricting youth access, and prohibiting sales to those under 21.