Nashville, TN Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Landlord registration fee
- $10 per year
- Failure-to-register fine
- $50 per week
- Update deadline for changes
- 30 days
- Physical inspections
- only in 14 designated districts
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Codes Administration
Summary
Metro Nashville requires all landlords to register rental units with the Department of Codes Administration for $10 a year, while physical inspections apply only inside 14 designated deteriorating-neighborhood districts, not citywide, under Metro Code Chapter 16.33.
It shall be the duty of all landlords of one or more dwelling units to register with the department of codes administration on forms provided by the director of codes administration, through the permit application portal, or through whichever means are provided to the public for such purpose. Information required upon registration shall include the following: the landlord or landlord's agent's name, telephone number, and physical address, which physical address may not be a post office box, as well as the street address and unit number, as appropriate, for each dwelling unit that the landlord owns, leases, or subleases, or has the right to own, lease, or sublease. A fee of ten dollars may be collected upon registration and charged annually upon renewal of registration to cover the administration of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Since a 2023 ordinance (BL2023-1839), every landlord of one or more Nashville dwelling units must register with the Department of Codes Administration, name, phone, physical address, and each unit address, and pay a $10 fee, renewed annually. Ownership or contact changes must be reported within 30 days. Separately, under Chapter 16.33's original 2007 authority (T.C.A. § 13-21-301 et seq.), Metro can only run physical rental-condition inspections inside council-designated 'rental inspection districts' covering neighborhoods with deteriorating housing, the code expressly bars a municipality-wide inspection district. Fourteen districts are currently designated, including Sylvan Heights, Hermitage, and Edgefield-Shelby Hills.
Violations & Fines
Landlords who fail to register, or don't update ownership/contact info within 30 days, get a certified-mail hearing notice; after that, Codes Administration may assess a $50-per-week fine until they comply (§ 16.33.170(c)-(d)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Nashville landlords have to register?
Does Metro physically inspect every rental home?
What happens if a landlord doesn't register?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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