Site Plan for Permit in Nashville, TN | Fast Drawings

Example of a detailed residential site plan showing property boundaries, existing structures, access, dimensions, easements, and other important site features.

Planning a home addition, deck, porch, detached garage, shed, pool, pergola, driveway, carport, or another residential project in Nashville?

Your permit application may require a site plan showing exactly where the proposed work will be located on the property. A clear drawing helps Metro Nashville reviewers understand the relationship between the project, property lines, the existing house, accessory structures, streets, alleys, driveways, easements, setbacks, and nearby improvements.

Metro Nashville requires a site plan for new residential construction, additions, swimming pools, and many accessory projects. Its residential permit guidance says the plan should show the proposed project location, distances to property lines, existing structures, and labeled easements.^[1]

What Is a Residential Permit Site Plan?

A residential site plan is a scaled overhead drawing of a property. It shows how the existing buildings and proposed improvements are arranged within the lot.

A site plan is different from a floor plan. A floor plan shows rooms, walls, doors, fixtures, and interior spaces. A site plan focuses on the exterior property and helps answer questions such as:

• Where will the proposed project be located?
• What are its outside dimensions?
• How far will it be from each property line?
• How close will it be to the house or another structure?
• Will it interfere with a utility or drainage easement?
• Will it affect a driveway, alley, street, sidewalk, or public right-of-way?
• How much of the lot will be covered by buildings?
• Does the proposed location appear consistent with the property’s zoning?

The site plan is normally only one part of a permit package. Depending on the project, Metro may also require floor plans, elevations, structural details, foundation plans, framing plans, energy documents, stormwater information, renderings, or drawings prepared by a Tennessee-licensed professional.

Metro’s published drawing requirements state that plans must correctly represent the project, place the building properly on the site, and be drawn to scale.^[2]

When Nashville Requires a Residential Site Plan

Metro Nashville’s residential permit procedures identify several types of work that normally require a building permit and site plan.

These include:

• New residential buildings
• Additions to existing homes
• New garages and carports
• Patio covers, decks, and porches
• Storage buildings of 100 square feet or more
• Above-ground and in-ground swimming pools
• Detached accessory dwelling units
• Other accessory structures that change the exterior site layout

Metro states that a site plan is reviewed by Zoning Examination staff to determine compliance with setbacks and other bulk requirements of the Zoning Code. It also emphasizes that an accurate and complete plan can help the permit and inspection process move more efficiently.^[1]

Nashville Projects That May Require a Site Plan

What a Nashville Site Plan Should Show

The exact details depend on the property and project. However, the plan should include enough information for the zoning examiner to understand the existing conditions and proposed layout without guessing.

1. Property Address and Parcel Information

Clearly identify the full project address. Including the parcel identification number can also help connect the drawing to Metro property and zoning records.

2. Property Lines and Lot Dimensions

Show the property boundaries and the known length of each lot line. These measurements create the framework used to locate the proposed project and calculate setbacks.

Metro states that it does not determine the location of property lines. When the boundary cannot be identified from the deed, plat, survey, or visible property markers, a licensed surveyor may be needed to locate it.^[3]

3. Existing Buildings and Improvements

Show the existing house, additions, decks, porches, sheds, garages, carports, pools, driveways, parking areas, retaining walls, and other improvements that affect the proposed project.

The drawing should represent the property as it exists today. Leaving out an existing structure can make the proposed project appear farther from a property line or neighboring improvement than it really is.

4. Proposed Construction and Dimensions

Clearly label the proposed project and show its length, width, and location. Existing and proposed work should be easy to distinguish through labels, shading, line types, or a legend.

Metro’s drawing guidance says plans should correctly represent the project and show the building in the correct position on the site plan.^[2]

5. Setback Measurements

Show the distance between the proposed project and the front, rear, and side property lines. Also show distances to nearby buildings or accessory structures when relevant.

Nashville setbacks vary according to the property’s base zoning, subdivision plat, street classification, corner-lot conditions, overlays, and project type. Metro’s addition guidance states that side and rear setbacks may be controlled by the zoning table or the platted setback, whichever is greater.^[3]

6. Easements

Show known utility, drainage, access, sewer, or other easements. An addition, accessory structure, or pool generally cannot be placed over an easement.

Easement information may appear on a recorded subdivision plat, title report, deed document, property survey, or records maintained by utility providers.

Metro cautions that its Codes Department does not maintain a complete record of every easement affecting a property. Applicants may need to research recorded documents or contact utility agencies directly.^[3]

7. Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks, and Access

Label adjoining streets, alleys, sidewalks, driveway entrances, curb connections, and other access points that relate to the project.

Alleys are especially important when a detached garage, parking pad, carport, or accessory structure will be accessed from the rear of the property.

8. Driveways and Parking Areas

Show existing and proposed driveways, parking pads, garages, aprons, and paved areas. Include the dimensions and indicate where vehicles connect to the street or alley.

Work within the public right-of-way can require a separate permit from the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure. NDOT accepts right-of-way permit applications through the Metro ePermits system.^[10]

9. Building Coverage

Building coverage is the percentage of the lot occupied by the footprints of the principal and accessory buildings.

A project can physically fit inside the yard while still exceeding the maximum building coverage permitted by the zoning district. Show the existing and proposed building footprints clearly when coverage is relevant.

Properties inside a Contextual Overlay may have additional building-coverage limits based on neighboring properties. Metro states that a stamped contextual survey may be required for that calculation.^[3]

10. Height Information

Detached accessory structures may require elevation drawings or renderings showing their proposed height.

Metro’s residential procedures specifically state that elevation drawings are required for detached accessory structures to demonstrate their height.^[1]

11. Trees Near the Construction Area

Show important trees when construction, excavation, grading, equipment access, or utility work may affect them.

Metro’s Urban Forestry guidance encourages property owners and contractors to identify protected trees before construction and to establish appropriate tree-protection measures around the work area.^[12]

12. North Arrow, Scale, and Labels

Include a north arrow, drawing scale, dimensions, and clear labels. A legend can help distinguish existing structures, proposed work, paving, easements, and other site features.

Check the Property’s Nashville Zoning First

Before finalizing the size or location of the project, check the property’s zoning and overlays.

Nashville’s Parcel Viewer can be searched by address or parcel number and provides property information such as zoning, permits, and other map layers.^[7]

Zoning can affect:

• Front, rear, and side setbacks
• Street setbacks
• Maximum building coverage
• Accessory-structure size and height
• Pool and equipment placement
• Parking and driveway arrangements
• Whether a detached accessory dwelling unit is allowed
• Whether Planning or Historic Zoning review is required

The Parcel Viewer also identifies additional zoning layers and overlays. A property inside a Specific Plan, Residential Planned Unit Development, Urban Design Overlay, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay, or Historic Preservation Overlay may have project requirements beyond the base zoning district.

Nashville Home Addition Site Plans

A home addition changes the footprint of the principal building, so the site plan should clearly distinguish the existing house from the proposed construction.

Metro’s addition-permit guidance says zoning examiners review additions for setback, footprint, and height restrictions. The application package generally includes a site plan showing the project location, distances to property lines, existing structures, and easements.^[3]

A useful addition site plan should show:

• The existing house footprint
• The proposed addition footprint
• The addition dimensions
• Rear- and side-yard measurements
• Existing and proposed building coverage
• Nearby decks, porches, sheds, garages, and pools
• Known easements
• Driveways, streets, and alleys

An addition proposed toward the front of a house may require an average street-setback survey. Properties inside a Contextual Overlay can also require additional neighborhood-based calculations or a contextual survey.^[3]

Metro also recommends contacting Stormwater when a project increases the footprint on a parcel, because additional drainage or development restrictions may apply.

Nashville Deck and Porch Site Plans

Deck and porch applications commonly require a site plan together with any construction details needed to show how the project will be built.

Metro’s deck-permit instructions specifically require a site plan showing the proposed deck location, distances to property lines, existing structures, and labeled easements.^[4]

A deck or porch site plan should identify:

• The deck or porch footprint
• Outside dimensions
• Distances to the property lines
• The existing house
• Stairs and landings
• Nearby sheds, garages, pools, or retaining walls
• Easements and utilities
• Rear or side access

A front porch may also be affected by street setbacks, average setbacks, historic-design requirements, or contextual-overlay standards.

Nashville Shed, Garage, and Accessory-Structure Site Plans

Detached accessory structures can include garages, workshops, home offices, gyms, storage sheds, pole barns, pool houses, and carports.

Metro zoning examiners review these structures for their use, footprint, setbacks, placement, and height.^[5]

A useful accessory-structure site plan should show:

• The structure footprint and dimensions
• The proposed height
• The existing principal house
• Other accessory structures on the lot
• Rear- and side-yard measurements
• Platted setbacks and easements
• Garage doors, carport openings, and alley access
• Existing and proposed building coverage

The exact setbacks can change according to the structure’s size, location, zoning district, and whether garage doors or carport openings face an alley. Structures positioned beside or in front of the principal house may be subject to the full district setbacks rather than reduced rear-yard accessory setbacks.^[5]

Detached accessory structures are not automatically dwelling units. Metro’s accessory-structure guidance limits residential features such as bedrooms and kitchens unless the project qualifies and is permitted under the rules for a detached accessory dwelling unit.

Nashville Pool Site Plans

Above-ground and in-ground swimming pools require zoning review based on the property’s zoning and the proposed location.

A pool site plan should show:

• The pool footprint and dimensions
• The pool deck or surrounding paved area
• Distances from the pool to property lines
• The existing house and accessory structures
• Pool pumps, filters, and equipment pads
• Known utility or drainage easements
• Barriers, fencing, and gates
• Nearby retaining walls or grade changes

Nashville’s pool guidance applies different placement standards depending on the pool type, its relationship to grade, its location in front of or behind the house, and the zoning district. Pools and pool equipment may not be placed within prohibited easements or platted setback areas.^[6]

Because the published requirements contain several project-specific conditions, the proposed location should be confirmed with the zoning examiner rather than relying on a single general setback.

Nashville Driveway and Right-of-Way Plans

Driveway construction can involve both the private property and the public right-of-way.

A useful driveway site plan should identify:

• The driveway or parking-area dimensions
• The property lines
• The house and garage
• The street or alley connection
• The curb, sidewalk, and driveway apron
• Nearby utilities, trees, or drainage features
• The portion of the work within the public right-of-way

NDOT requires right-of-way applications to be submitted through ePermits. Its published permit information also identifies driveway work within the right-of-way as a permit category and notes that an area sketch is required.^[10]

The building site plan and right-of-way sketch may overlap, but they serve different reviews. The building site plan explains the overall property layout, while the transportation submission focuses on the work affecting the street, sidewalk, curb, or other public area.

Stormwater, Drainage, and Residential Infill

Additions, driveways, garages, patios, pools, and other improvements can increase the amount of covered or impervious area on a property. They may also change how rainwater moves across the site.

Metro Water Services administers stormwater and grading review, including requirements for regulated residential infill. Its residential-infill resources include guidance, stormwater checklists, floodplain forms, and water-quality-buffer information.^[9]

Depending on the project, reviewers may need to understand:

• The existing and proposed building footprint
• Driveways, patios, and other paved surfaces
• Existing drainage direction
• Proposed grading or fill
• Swales, drains, or stormwater-control areas
• Floodplain or stream-buffer conditions

A standard site plan may not be enough for a project requiring drainage calculations, grading plans, topographical information, or stormwater engineering. In those cases, use the qualified Tennessee professional required by Metro Water Services.

Historic and Conservation Overlay Review

Properties inside a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay or Historic Preservation Overlay can require additional design review.

Metro advises applicants to contact the Historic Zoning Commission when a property is within one of these overlays. The applicable district guidelines may affect additions, porches, garages, accessory structures, fences, demolition, materials, height, and building placement.^[3]

The Historic Zoning Commission recommends contacting its staff to confirm whether a project requires review. Larger additions, demolition, new infill, and setback determinations are among the projects that may require commission consideration rather than only administrative review.^[8]

Check the overlay before completing the final design. Discovering historic or conservation requirements after the site plan and architectural drawings are finished can lead to substantial revisions.

Site Plan Versus a Property Survey

A drafting-based site plan and a licensed property survey are related but different services.

Metro notes that homeowners often have a mortgage loan survey that can work well as the starting point for a residential site plan.^[1]

However, a drafting-based plan does not establish or certify a legal property boundary.

A licensed survey may be needed when:

• The property lines cannot be reliably identified.
• The proposed work is extremely close to a boundary.
• The property is affected by unclear easements.
• A stamped contextual survey is required.
• Certified topographical or elevation data is required.
• A boundary disagreement exists.
• Metro, a lender, an engineer, or another reviewer requires certification.

Metro’s general drawing requirements also contain professional-seal rules for certain projects and plan types. Single-family projects may qualify for exceptions, but the project-specific checklist and reviewer instructions should always control.^[2]

How the Nashville Residential Permit Process Works

The exact review path depends on the project, applicant, and required departments. A typical residential process may include the following steps:

Registered contractors can use Metro’s ePermits system for residential permit applications. Metro also provides submission instructions through its Zoning Help Desk and allows permit progress to be tracked using the property address or application number.^[3]

Once the application is processed, the zoning examiner can provide a checklist identifying the additional Metro reviews or agency signoffs required for the project. Applicants should follow that checklist rather than guessing which approvals apply.

Common Site Plan Mistakes That Can Delay Review

Property Lines Are Missing

Reviewers cannot properly evaluate setbacks when the drawing does not clearly show the lot boundaries.

The Proposed Work Has No Dimensions

Show the length and width of the addition, deck, shed, garage, pool, pergola, driveway, or other project.

Setback Measurements Are Omitted

A project outline without distances to the property lines does not give zoning staff enough information to evaluate its placement.

Existing and Proposed Work Look Identical

Use labels, line styles, shading, or a legend to distinguish existing improvements from proposed construction.

Easements Are Ignored

A project may meet the basic yard setback but still be located inside a utility or drainage easement.

The Wrong Setback Is Used

The applicable setback may come from the base zoning, subdivision plat, street classification, corner-lot rule, contextual standard, or overlay. Do not copy a setback from a neighboring property without confirming it.

Building Coverage Is Not Calculated

An addition, garage, shed, or other structure can increase total building coverage beyond the amount allowed for the parcel.

Stormwater Is Considered Too Late

Increasing the building footprint or paved area can trigger drainage, grading, floodplain, or regulated residential-infill review.

Aerial Parcel Lines Are Treated as Surveyed Boundaries

GIS parcel lines and aerial maps are useful for preliminary drafting, but they do not normally certify the legal boundary on the ground.

Overlays Are Discovered After the Design Is Finished

Check for historic, conservation, contextual, Specific Plan, PUD, and Urban Design overlays before finalizing the project.

What to Send When Ordering a Nashville Site Plan

Providing complete information at the beginning helps the drafting process move faster.

Helpful documents and details include:

• The full property address
• The parcel identification number, if available
• A description of the proposed project
• The proposed length, width, and height
• The preferred project location
• An existing property survey or mortgage loan survey
• A recorded subdivision plat
• Architectural or contractor drawings
• A marked-up sketch showing the proposed placement
• Measurements from the project to property lines
• Photographs of the construction area
• Permit-review comments or correction notices
• Known information about easements, utilities, alleys, drainage, or trees

When no survey is available, public property records, aerial imagery, photographs, and customer-supplied measurements may be used as drafting references. These sources do not certify legal property boundaries.

Fast Site Plan Drawings for Nashville Residential Projects

USA Site Plans prepares clear residential site plans for homeowners, contractors, builders, permit expediters, property managers, and design professionals.

Depending on the available property information and selected service, the drawing can show:

• Property boundaries and lot dimensions
• The existing house and accessory structures
• The proposed project footprint
• Front, rear, and side setback measurements
• Streets, sidewalks, alleys, and access areas
• Driveways, garages, carports, and parking pads
• Known easements and utilities
• Pools, decks, porches, fences, and paving
• Trees and other important site features
• A north arrow, scale, dimensions, labels, and legend
• Additional project notes requested by the customer

The finished drawing can be used as part of a permit application when a drafting-based site plan is acceptable. Metro Nashville makes the final decision regarding surveys, professional seals, structural plans, stormwater documents, and other information required for approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Every Nashville Residential Project Require a Site Plan?

No. The required documents depend on the type of work. Metro generally requires a site plan for new residential construction, additions, pools, and many accessory structures or exterior projects.

What Does Metro Want Shown on the Site Plan?

Metro’s residential guidance asks for the proposed project location, distances to property lines, existing structures, and labeled easements. Additional information may be requested depending on the project.

Can I Use a Mortgage Loan Survey?

Metro states that homeowners often have mortgage loan surveys that work well as the starting point for a site plan, provided the document still accurately represents the property.

Can I Use the Nashville Parcel Viewer Instead of a Survey?

The Parcel Viewer is useful for researching zoning, overlays, permits, and parcel information. It does not normally establish the precise legal location of a property boundary on the ground.

Do I Need to Show Easements?

Yes, known easements should be labeled. Additions, pools, garages, sheds, and other structures may be prohibited inside utility, drainage, or platted easements.

Does an Accessory Structure Need Elevation Drawings?

Metro’s residential procedures state that elevation drawings are required for detached accessory structures to demonstrate the proposed height.

Do Historic Nashville Properties Need Additional Approval?

A property inside a Neighborhood Conservation or Historic Preservation Overlay may require Historic Zoning Commission review and compliance with district design guidelines.

Are USA Site Plans Drawings Signed or Sealed?

Standard USA Site Plans drawings are not signed or sealed by a Tennessee-licensed architect, engineer, or land surveyor. When Metro requires a certified survey, contextual survey, engineering plan, drainage plan, or professionally sealed drawing, the appropriate Tennessee-licensed professional must be used.

Does Ordering a Site Plan Guarantee Permit Approval?

No. Metro Nashville and any other reviewing agencies make the final decisions. A clear and complete site plan can reduce preventable questions, but additional surveys, revisions, calculations, approvals, or professionally prepared documents may still be requested.

Official Nashville Sources

1. 
   Metro Nashville — Residential Building Permit Procedures
   
2. 
   Metro Nashville — Drawing Requirements for Permits
   
3. 
   Metro Nashville — Single-Family Home Addition Permit Instructions
   
4. 
   Metro Nashville — Deck and Patio Permit Instructions
   
5. 
   Metro Nashville — Accessory Structure Permitting Instructions
   
6. 
   Metro Nashville — Residential Pool Permitting Instructions
   
7. 
   Metro Nashville — Davidson County Parcel Viewer
   
8. 
   Metro Historic Zoning Commission — Preservation Permit Process
   
9. 
   Metro Water Services — Regulated Residential Infill
   
10. 
    Nashville Department of Transportation — Right-of-Way Permits
    
11. 
    Metro Nashville — Construction and Permit Services
    
12. 
    Metro Nashville — Tree Protection During Construction
    

Permit forms, zoning standards, drawing requirements, fees, and review procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with Metro Nashville and the agencies responsible for the property before submitting an application.