Nashville requires vacant lot owners to maintain their properties under the property standards code (Chapter 16.24). Vacant lots must be kept free of accumulated trash, overgrown vegetation (grass under 12 inches), and hazardous conditions. The Metro Codes Department conducts inspections and can perform abatement at the owner's expense.
Vacant lots in Nashville are subject to the same property standards as occupied properties. Owners must maintain vegetation, remove debris, secure any structures, and prevent conditions that attract pests or create safety hazards. Metro Codes specifically targets vacant and abandoned properties as part of neighborhood stabilization efforts. Properties that repeatedly fail inspections may be referred to Environmental Court. Metro Nashville also maintains a registry of vacant and abandoned buildings under additional provisions of the property code.
Violations result in notices with correction deadlines. Uncorrected violations lead to Metro-performed abatement with costs charged to the owner. Liens are placed for unpaid abatement. Environmental Court can impose daily fines of $50 or more for ongoing violations.
Nashville, TN
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Nashville, TN
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Nashville, TN
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Nashville, TN
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Nashville, TN
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Nashville, TN
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See how Nashville's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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