Tennessee DHS licenses home-based childcare at four tiers. Nashville zoning permits Family Home (up to 7 children) in all R-zones; Group Home (up to 12) requires special permit. Metro §17.16.030.
Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) licenses home childcare under four classifications per TN Rule 1240-04-01: Family Child Care Home (up to 7 children including operator's own under age 9), Group Child Care Home (8-12 children, two caregivers), Child Care Center (13+), and Drop-In. Metro Nashville Zoning Code §17.16.030 allows Family Child Care Home as an accessory use in all residential districts by right. Group Child Care Home requires a Use Permit from the Metro Zoning Administrator with neighbor notice. Requirements include TDHS background checks (including TBI and FBI), CPR and first aid certification, 30 sq ft indoor play space per child, fenced outdoor play area, working smoke detectors, and annual fire marshal inspection. Metro-Nashville Fire Marshal inspections required for Group Homes. Liability insurance required by TDHS.
Unlicensed operation: TDHS cease and desist, $50-$500 per day civil penalty under TN §71-3-522. Zoning violations: Metro fines up to $50/day. Serious safety violations: license suspension and DCS referral.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Davidson County, TN
Davidson County and Metro Nashville have no leaf blower-specific equipment or fuel type restrictions. Gas-powered blowers remain legal. General noise ordinan...
Davidson County, TN
Metro Code §12.40.120 allows removal of vehicles parked on public streets over 72 hours. Inoperable vehicles on private property must be enclosed or screened...
Davidson County, TN
Metro Nashville requires 48-inch minimum pool barriers per IRC Appendix G as adopted. Self-closing, self-latching gates with latch 54 inches above grade. Ins...
Davidson County, TN
Metro Nashville requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any height with surcharge. Engi...
Davidson County, TN
Metro Nashville allows backyard hens in most residential zones without a specific permit cap, but prohibits roosters under the general noise/nuisance ordinan...
Davidson County, TN
Davidson County has no designated wildfire hazard zones or defensible space requirements. TN Division of Forestry manages statewide wildfire response. Outdoo...
See how Davidson County's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.